A selective laser-based sensor for fugitive methane emissions

A mid-infrared laser-based sensor is reported for the quantification of fugitive methane emissions. The sensor is based on a distributed feedback inter-band cascade laser operating near 3.3 mu m. Wavelength tuning with cepstral analysis is employed to isolate methane absorbance from (1) fluctuations in the baseline laser intensity, and (2) interfering species. Cepstral analysis creates a modified form of the time-domain molecular free-induction-decay (m-FID) signal to temporally separate optical and molecular responses. The developed sensor is insensitive to baseline laser intensity imperfections and spectral interference from other species. Accurate measurements of methane in the presence of a representative interfering species, benzene, are performed by careful selection of the scan index (ratio of laser tuning range to spectral linewidth) and initial and final time of m-FID signal fitting. The minimum detection limit of the sensor is similar to 110 ppm which can be enhanced with an optical cavity. The proposed sensing strategy can be utilized to measure methane leaks in harsh environments and in the presence of interfering species in environment-monitoring applications.

Automated summary

A mid-infrared laser-based sensor is developed for quantifying fugitive methane emissions, utilizing cepstral analysis for wavelength tuning and separation of methane absorbance from interfering species. The sensor is able to accurately measure methane in the presence of interfering species like benzene. The proposed sensing strategy can be used for methane leak measurements in harsh environments.