Stand-off mapping of the soot extinction coefficient in a refinery flare using a 3-wavelength elastic backscatter LIDAR

In this study, a mapping of the soot extinction coefficient in an oil refinery flare using a three-wavelength elastic backscatter lidar system is presented. A log-normal aerosol size distribution was assumed for the flare, and a homogenous refractive index was assumed along the nearly horizontal beam path through the atmosphere, excluding the flare volume. The optical depth was estimated for each wavelength and from this the Angstrom exponent was calculated. The results were comparable with the literature, demonstrating that it is possible to distinguish small from large particles by this technique in low wind conditions.