Research and analysis

Measuring landfill methane emissions using unmanned aerial systems

Field trial and operational guidance for measuring landfill methane emissions using unmanned aerial systems

From:
Environment Agency
Published
30 November 2015

Documents

Measuring landfill methane emissions using unmanned aerial systems: report

Ref: ISBN 978-1-84911-367-0, SC140015/R

PDF, 1.72 MB, 54 pages

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Measuring landfill methane emissions using unmanned aerial systems: summary

Ref: SC140015/S

PDF, 61.3 KB, 2 pages

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Details

Scientists from the Centre for Atmospheric Science and the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering at the University of Manchester have developed and tested an unmanned aerial system (UAS) to quantify the methane, a potent greenhouse gas, released into the atmosphere from landfill sites.

The project built on a previous feasibility study on the use of remote sensing techniques to quantify methane emissions from landfills. This earlier study examined sensor and UAS platform technology, and the requirements of Civil Aviation Authority regulations governing flights by unmanned aircraft.

The feasibility study concluded that a mass balancing approach was the most promising method of calculating bulk methane fluxes from landfill sites using an unmanned aerial system.

Published 30 November 2015