Filtern
Erscheinungsjahr
Dokumenttyp
- Beitrag zu einem Tagungsband (30)
- Zeitschriftenartikel (21)
- Posterpräsentation (21)
- Vortrag (5)
- Beitrag zu einem Sammelband (3)
- Forschungsbericht (2)
- Sonstiges (1)
Sprache
- Englisch (65)
- Deutsch (15)
- Mehrsprachig (2)
- Polnisch (1)
Schlagworte
- Gas storage areas (12)
- Membrane-based gas sensing (12)
- Subsurface monitoring (12)
- Nano aerial robot (10)
- Mobile Robot Olfaction (9)
- Gas source localization (8)
- Swarm (8)
- Autonomous micro UAV (6)
- Distributed linear sensor (6)
- Mikrodrohne (6)
- Monitoring (6)
- Gas sensors (5)
- Quadrocopter (5)
- Tomographic reconstruction of gas plumes (5)
- UAV (5)
- Chemical sensing (4)
- Distributed sensor (4)
- Gas sensing (4)
- Hazardous scenarios (4)
- Localization of gas sources (4)
- Mobile robot olfaction (4)
- Mobile sensing system (4)
- UAV-REGAS (4)
- Aerial robot (3)
- Artificial potential field (3)
- Chemical and wind sensing (3)
- Computed tomography (3)
- Gas distribution mapping and gas source localization (3)
- Gasmessung (3)
- Indoor air quality (3)
- Linear sensor (3)
- Localization (3)
- Particle filter (3)
- Plume tracking (3)
- Sensor planning (3)
- Soil test field (3)
- TDLAS (3)
- Trail detection (3)
- Trail following (3)
- Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) (3)
- Aerial robot olfaction (2)
- Anemometric sensor (2)
- Bauwerksüberwachung (2)
- Biologically inspired robots (2)
- CCS (2)
- CO2 (2)
- Carbon capture and storage (2)
- Condition monitoring (2)
- Data fusion (2)
- Data mapping (2)
- Data-fusion (2)
- Digitalisation (2)
- Emission control (2)
- Fiber optical sensing (2)
- Fibre optical sensing (2)
- Field conditions (2)
- Fluorescence (2)
- Gas distribution modelling (2)
- Gas measurement (2)
- Gas tomography (2)
- Indoor Localization (2)
- Leak detection (2)
- Leakage (2)
- Membrane-based linear gas sensor (2)
- Micro-drone (2)
- Mobile Robot (2)
- Monitoring of CO2 (2)
- Multi-sensor system (2)
- NDT Inspection (2)
- Plume (2)
- Quadrokopter (2)
- Reactive plume tracking (2)
- Robotik (2)
- Safety management (2)
- Setup and Validation (2)
- Suche und Lokalisierung von gasförmigen Gefahrstoffquellen (2)
- Umweltmonitoring (2)
- Wasserstoff (2)
- Wind vector (2)
- Air quality monitoring (1)
- Airspeed calibration (1)
- Ammonia gas sensor (1)
- Anemometer (1)
- Anemotaxis (1)
- Autonomous UAV (1)
- Autonomous robot (1)
- Bio-inspired (1)
- Calibration (1)
- Chemical source localization (1)
- Chemotaxis (1)
- Collision-free navigation (1)
- Concept (1)
- Data-Mapping (1)
- Digital Certificates (1)
- Digitalisierung (1)
- Discrimination of multiple gas sources (1)
- Distributed multifunctional sensor (1)
- Druckgasspeicher (1)
- Embedded system (1)
- Emissionskontrolle (1)
- Energiespeicherung (1)
- Environmental monitoring (1)
- Estimation (1)
- Explosionsschutz (1)
- Fibre optical sensing (1)
- Fluorescence sensors (1)
- Fluorescent sensor (1)
- Fluoreszenz (1)
- Fluoreszenzsensoren (1)
- Gas detection (1)
- Gas detector (1)
- Gas dispersion simulation (1)
- Gas distribution mapping (1)
- Gas distribution modeling (1)
- Gas emission (1)
- Gas standard generator (1)
- Gas storage sites (1)
- Gas-sensitive micro-drone (1)
- Gasdetektion (1)
- Gasemission (1)
- Gasfreisetzung (1)
- Gasquellenlokalisierung (1)
- Gassensor (1)
- Gassensorik (1)
- Gasspeicher (1)
- Gefahrenszenarien (1)
- Gefährdungsbeurteilung (1)
- Glasspeicher (1)
- H2Safety@BAM (1)
- Hydrogen (1)
- Hydrogen technology (1)
- Inertial measurement unit (IMU) (1)
- Large scale soil test field (1)
- Methane measuring (1)
- Micro UAV (1)
- Micro unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (1)
- Mini-UAV (1)
- Miniaturized sensor device (1)
- Mobile Sensorik (1)
- Mobile sensors (1)
- Monitoring of CO 2 (1)
- Multi sensor device (1)
- Multi-sensor (1)
- Multi-sensor device (1)
- Multifunctional sensor (1)
- Multigassensoren (1)
- Multirotor aircraft (1)
- Nano UAV Swarm (1)
- Odor localization (1)
- Oil (1)
- Olfaction (1)
- Permeation (1)
- Petrol (1)
- Phototransistor (1)
- Power-to-Gas (1)
- Prüfung (1)
- Pump control (1)
- QI Digital (1)
- Quality Infrastructure (1)
- Quantification (1)
- Quantification of gas concentrations (1)
- RFID sensors (1)
- RFID-Sensorsysteme (1)
- Real-time (1)
- Remote gas sensor model (1)
- Remote sensing (1)
- Richtlinie (1)
- Risikoanalyse (1)
- Safety region model (1)
- Selective permeability (1)
- Sensor (1)
- Sensoren (1)
- Sensorik (1)
- Sensors in concrete (1)
- Sensortechnik (1)
- Smartphone (1)
- Spatially distributed monitoring (1)
- Standard gas generator (1)
- Subsurface (1)
- Temperature calibration (1)
- Test Streifen (1)
- Test strip (1)
- Thrust (1)
- Tribologie (1)
- Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS); UAV-REGAS (1)
- Tunable diode laser absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) (1)
- VOC (1)
- Validation (1)
- Verteilte Sensorik (1)
- Wasserstofferzeugung (1)
- Water quality (1)
- Wind (1)
- Wind estimation (speed and direction) (1)
- Wind speed and direction (1)
- Windvektor (1)
- Windvektorbestimmung (1)
- Wireless mobile sensor device (1)
- pH-Sensor (1)
- Öl (1)
Organisationseinheit der BAM
- 8 Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung (32)
- 8.1 Sensorik, mess- und prüftechnische Verfahren (32)
- 2 Prozess- und Anlagensicherheit (4)
- 2.1 Sicherheit von Energieträgern (4)
- 1 Analytische Chemie; Referenzmaterialien (3)
- 1.9 Chemische und optische Sensorik (2)
- 8.2 Zerstörungsfreie Prüfmethoden für das Bauwesen (2)
- 1.4 Prozessanalytik (1)
- 2.0 Abteilungsleitung und andere (1)
- 3 Gefahrgutumschließungen; Energiespeicher (1)
Paper des Monats
- ja (1)
Eingeladener Vortrag
- nein (5)
Gas source localization with a micro-drone using bio-inspired and particle filter-based algorithms
(2013)
Gas source localization (GSL) with mobile robots is a challenging task due to the unpredictable nature of gas dispersion, the limitations of the currents sensing technologies, and the mobility constraints of ground-based robots. This work proposes an integral solution for the GSL task, including source declaration. We present a novel pseudo-gradient-based plume tracking algorithm and a particle filter-based source declaration approach, and apply it on a gas-sensitive micro-drone. We compare the performance of the proposed system in simulations and real-world experiments against two commonly used tracking algorithms adapted for aerial exploration missions.
BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, in cooperation with the company MeGaSen UG carries out a research project to enhance and validate an innovative approach for distributed subsurface monitoring of gas storage areas. The concept combines different measurement technologies to one multifunctional sensor: membrane-based gas measurement technology for in-situ monitoring of gases in soil and fiber optical sensing of temperature and strain (as a measure for structural change). Key aspect of the research project is the first-time validation of the system in an application relevant dimension. For this purpose a 20 x 20 m2 test field is build. A comprehensive validation of the system is carried out by systematic variation of different parameters like position-dependent gasinjection, temperature and mechanical impact.
This paper presents a sampling strategy for mobile gas sensors. Sampling points are selected using a modified artificial potential field (APF) approach, which balances multiple criteria to direct sensor measurements towards locations of high mean concentration, high concentration variance and areas for which the uncertainty about the gas distribution model is still large. By selecting in each step the most often suggested close-by measurement location, the proposed approach introduces a locality constraint that allows planning suitable paths for mobile gas sensors. Initial results in simulation and in real-world experiments with a gas-sensitive micro-drone demonstrate the suitability of the proposed sampling strategy for gas distribution mapping and its use for gas source localization.
Mikrodrohne zur Charakterisierung und selbstoptimierenden Suche von gasförmigen Gefahrstoffquellen
(2010)
This article presents the development and validation of an autonomous, gas sensitive microdrone that is capable of estimating the wind vector in real time using only the onboard control unit of the microdrone and performing gas distribution mapping (DM). Two different sampling approaches are suggested to address this problem. On the one hand, a predefined trajectory is used to explore the target area with the microdrone in a real-world gas DM experiment. As an alternative sampling approach, we introduce an adaptive strategy that suggests next sampling points based on an artificial potential field (APF). Initial results in real-world experiments demonstrate the capability of the proposed adaptive sampling strategy for gas DM and its use for gas source localization.
One of the main unsolved issues of CCS is the comprehensive surveillance of CO2 storage areas with reasonable effort and costs. This study presents an approach for distributed subsurface monitoring of gas storage areas. The concept combines different measurement technologies to one multifunctional sensor: membrane based measurement technology for in situ monitoring of gases in soil and fibre optical sensing of temperature and strain (as a measure for structural change). A test field of application-relevant dimensions is built up to validate and optimize the technology.
Carbon capture & storage (CCS) is one of the most promising technologies for greenhouse gas (GHG) management. However, an unsolved issue of CCS is the development of appropriate long-term monitoring systems for leak detection of the stored CO2. To complement already existing monitoring infrastructure for CO2 storage areas, and to increase the granularity of gas concentration measurements, a quickly deployable, mobile measurement device is needed. In this paper, we present an autonomous gas-sensitive micro-drone, which can be used to monitor GHG emissions, more specifically, CO2. Two different measurement strategies are proposed to address this task. First, the use of predefined sensing trajectories is evaluated for the task of gas distribution mapping using the micro-drone. Alternatively, we present an adaptive strategy, which suggests sampling points based on an artificial potential field (APF). The results of real-world experiments demonstrate the feasibility of using gas-sensitive micro-drones for GHG monitoring missions. Thus, we suggest a multi-layered surveillance system for CO2 storage areas.
In this paper, we show that a micro unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with commercially available gas sensors can address environmental monitoring and gas source localization (GSL) tasks. To account for the challenges of gas sensing under real-world conditions, we present a probabilistic approach for GSL that is based on a particle filter (PF). Simulation and real-world experiments demonstrate the suitability of this algorithm for micro UAV platforms.
This paper presents first advances in the area of aerial chemical trail following. For that purpose, we equipped a palm-size aerial robot, based on the Crazyflie 2.0 quadrocopter, with a small lightweight metal oxide gas sensor for measuring evaporated ethanol from chemical trails. To detect and localize a 5 cm wide chemical trail, a detection criterion was developed that uses only relative changes in the transient phase of the sensor response. The reduction in signal strength dependence improves the robustness of its application. We tested our setup in first crossing-trail experiments showing that our flying ant robot can correlate an odor hit with the chemical trail within 0.14 m. Principally, this could enable aerial chemical trail following in the future.
This paper presents first advances in the area of aerial chemical trail following. For that purpose, we equipped a palm-size aerial robot, based on the Crazyflie 2.0 quadrocopter, with a small lightweight metal oxide gas sensor for measuring evaporated ethanol from chemical trails. To detect and localize the chemical trail, a novel detection criterion was developed that uses only relative changes in the transient phase of the sensor response, making it more robust in its application. We tested our setup in first crossing-trail experiments showing that our flying ant robot is able to correlate an odor hit with the chemical trail within 0.14 m. Principally, this could enable aerial chemical trail following in the future.
This paper presents first advances in the area of aerial chemical trail following. For that purpose, we equipped a palm-size aerial robot, based on the Crazyflie 2.0 quadrocopter, with a small lightweight metal oxide gas sensor for measuring evaporated ethanol from chemical trails. To detect and localize the chemical trail, a novel detection criterion was developed that uses only relative changes in the transient phase of the sensor response, making it more robust in its application. We tested our setup in first crossing-trail experiments showing that our flying ant robot is able to correlate an odor hit with the chemical trail within 0.14 m. Principally, this could enable aerial chemical trail following in the future.
Die Optimierung und Validierung des digitalen Wasserstofftankstellenmanagements mit Sensortechnologien ist das übergeordnete Ziel des Teilprojekts Digitale Qualitätsinfrastruktur mit Sensortechnologien (QIST) am Use Case H2, im Rahmen der digitalen Qualitätsinfrastruktur (QI digital[1]). Hierfür sollen u.a. Sensornetzwerke mit digital-gestützten Auswertungsstrategien intelligent gestaltet werden (Stichwort KI bzw. digitaler Zwilling). Verschiedene, sich ergänzende Sensoren, Systemkomponenten und KI-Methoden stehen als Bausteine intelligenter Sensorsysteme zur Verfügung, mit dem Zweck, die physikalischen und chemischen Parameter an und in Anlagen umfassend und effizient zu überwachen sowie Fehlfunktionen zuverlässig zu detektieren und zu interpretieren, Abbildung 1.
Konkrete Arbeitsschritte sind, nach dem Aufbau der Versuchsplattform „Wasserstofftankstelle“, die Instrumentierung von Sensorik und deren digitale Integration in das Tankstellenmanagementsystem sowie die Validierung im Realbetrieb. Die somit erzielten Messergebisse sowie die Messunsicherheiten, Historien und Verfahren werden in digitaler Form aufbereitet, gespeichert und fortlaufend in die KI-basierte Datenauswertung einbezogen, inkl. der Anbindung an die metrologische Rückführungskette.
Ziele sind:
• Einführung eines neuen messtechnischen Ansatzes und eines digitalen Zwillings für den Anwendungsfall "Wasserstofftankstelle" auf Basis der H2-Sensorik sowie der Zustandsgrößen Druck und Temperatur
• Qualitätssicherung durch Applikationen zuverlässiger Gassensorik, Manometer und Thermometer sowie KI-Methoden zur Prozesskontrolle und Detektion von Fehlfunktionen
• Nutzung von digitalen Kalibrierscheinen (DCCs) insbesondere für die Messgröße Temperatur zur Realisierung der metrologischen Rückführung in einer digitalen Qualitätsinfrastruktur
A monitoring method is introduced that creates twodimensional (2D) maps of the soil gas distribution. The method combines linear gas sensing technology for in-situ monitoring of gases in soil with the mapping capabilities of Computed Tomography (CT) to reconstruct spatial and temporal resolved gas distribution maps. A weighted iterative algebraic reconstruction method based on Maximum Likelihood with Expectation Maximization (MLEM) in combination with a source-by-source reconstruction approach is introduced that works with a sparse setup of orthogonally-aligned linear gas sensors. The reconstruction method successfully reduces artifact production, especially when multiple gas sources are present, allowing the discrimination between true and non-existing so-called ghost source locations. Experimental validation by controlled field experiments indicates the high potential of the proposed method for rapid gas leak localization and quantification with respect to Pipeline or underground gas storage issues.
Comprehensive monitoring of pipelines over their full length is technically difficult and expensive. Considering a cost-benefit ratio it is reasonable to implement monitoring solutions in pipeline segments, which bear a high risk potential, like residential areas, construction sites, slopes, street or river crossings. Still such segments can measure up to several hundred meters in length, demanding for monitoring solutions that extend along such distances and enable fast response. Point wise sensing and periodical surveillance have clear drawbacks, particularly regarding early damage detection. Fibre optic sensors enable distributed sensing of temperature and strain, but they offer very limited possibilities for measuring gas concentrations. Linear membrane-based gas sensors enable the monitoring of gas concentrations alongside a pipeline. Such line-sensors are implemented in form of flexible tubes and can be arranged inside or outside the pipeline (also underwater or within the subsurface), corresponding to the technical requirements. The measuring method combines the gas specific diffusion rates through a membrane with Dalton’s law of partial pressures and enables the calculation of gas concentrations or the detection of a change of the gas composition. The objective is to detect gas leakages fast and with high reliability. Furthermore, the calibrated system enables to estimate the spatial extent of a leakage. So far the gas concentration measurement is tested for oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane; further gases should follow, e.g. hydrogen, carbon monoxide or mixtures like natural gas. The paper introduces in the different operating modes of line-sensors. A near real-time approach will be demonstrated to quantify the impact of a gas leak on the near environment. This approach is based on a critical length describing the expansion of the leaking gas.
Linear sensor for areal subsurface gas monitoring - calibration routine and validation experiments
(2014)
Membrane based linear gas sensors and fiber optical sensors feature similar geometries and complement each other in quantities to be measured. To the author's best knowledge, it is the first time that these sensors are combined to a multifunctional sensor for distributed measuring of gas concentrations, temperature, and strain. Objective is a comprehensive monitoring of underground gas storage areas. In the presented project a 400 m² test site and a corresponding laboratory system were just built up to characterize, validate, and optimize the combined sensor. Application of the sensor lines in a grid structure should enable spatial resolution of the measurement data and early detection of relevant events, as gas leakage, temperature change, or mechanical impact. A Calibration routine was developed which can be applied subsequent to underground installation. First measurement results indicate the potential of the method, with regard to highly topical energy transport and storage issues.
In this paper, we show that a micro unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with commercially available gas sensors can address environmental monitoring and gas source localization (GSL) tasks. To account for the challenges of gas sensing under real-world conditions, we present a probabilistic approach to GSL that is based on a particle filter (PF). Simulation and real-world experiments demonstrate the suitability of this algorithm for micro UAV platforms.
Insect behavior is a common source of inspiration for roboticists and computer scientists when designing gas-sensitive mobile robots. More specifically, tracking airborne odor plumes, and localization of distant gas sources are abilities that suit practical applications such as leak localization and emission monitoring. Gas sensing with mobile robots has been mostly addressed with ground-based platforms and under simplified conditions and thus, there exist a significant gap between the outstanding insect abilities and state-of-the-art robotics systems. As a step toward practical applications, we evaluated the performance of three biologically inspired plume tracking algorithms. The evaluation is carried out not only with computer simulations, but also with real-world experiments in which, a quadrocopter-based micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicle autonomously follows a methane trail toward the emitting source. Compared to ground robots, micro UAVs bring several advantages such as their superior steering capabilities and fewer mobility restrictions in complex terrains. The experimental evaluation shows that, under certain environmental conditions, insect like behavior in gas-sensitive UAVs is feasible in real-world environments.
One of the main unsolved issues of under-ground storages for, e.g., CO2, H2, and natural gas is the comprehensive surveillance of these areas with reasonable effort and costs. Conventional sensors (e.g., soil air probes or borehole probes), however, can only be used for punctual or locally limited measurements; further their application can cause structural influences (invasive application).
In this paper, we describe in detail the setup of a CO2 injection soil test field. This test field will be used to enhance and validate an innovative ap-proach for distributed subsurface monitoring of gas storage areas. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first time that, for this purpose, a test field is built in an application relevant scale.
BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, in cooperation with the AirRobot GmbH & Co. KG company, has developed a flying remote-controlled measuring system. The system is capable of operating in a variety of scenarios of gas emissions, e.g. exhaust gas from chimneys, flue gas in a fire, gas emissions in the case of an accident of chemical or hazardous goods or in the case of a terrorist act involving toxic gases. Thus it can measure the gas concentration in the immediate vicinity of the object which causes the emission. A further stage of extension is to enhance the system for plume tracking and identification of sources of hazardous gases.
A 400 m² soil test field with gas injection system was built up, which enables an experimental validation of linear gas sensors for specific applications and gases in an application-relevant scale. Several injection and soil watering experiments with carbon dioxide (CO2) at different days with varying boundary conditions were performed indicating the potential of the method for, e.g., rapid leakage detection with respect to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) issues.
A 400 m² soil test field with gas injection system was built up, which enables an experimental validation of linear gas sensors for specific applications and gases in an application-relevant scale. Several injection and soil watering experiments with carbon dioxide (CO2) at different days with varying boundary conditions were performed indicating the potential of the method for, e.g., rapid leakage detection with respect to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) issues.
A 400 m² soil test field with gas injection system was built up for the purpose of large-scale validation, optimization, and characterization of a novel comprehensive monitoring method for underground gas storage areas. The method combines gas sensing technology with linear form factor for in-situ monitoring of gases in soil with the mapping capabilities of Computed Tomography (CT) to reconstruct time-series of gas distribution maps based on samples of orthogonally-aligned linear gas sensors. Several injection experiments with carbon dioxide (CO2) at different days with varying boundary conditions indicates the potential of the method for, e.g., rapid leakage detection with respect to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) issues.
This work presents first results from repeti-tive CO2 injection experiments performed on a recently built-up 400 m² soil test field with gas injection system. The test field contains 48 membrane-based linear gas sensors that were installed in several depths of the test field. Sensors for measuring meteorological parameters (e.g., wind / rain) and the parameters soil temperature, soil moisture, and groundwater level were installed additionally. A more de-tailed description of the test field setup can be found in. A short description of the mem-brane-based linear gas sensors’ functional prin-ciple can be found in.
This work presents first results from repetitive CO2 injection experiments performed on a recently built-up 400 m² soil test field with gas injection system. The test field contains 48 membrane-based linear gas sensors that were installed in several depths of the test field. Sensors for measuring meteorological parameters (e.g., wind / rain) and the parameters soil temperature, soil moisture, and groundwater level were installed additionally.
A multifunctional sensor in line shape was developed and introduced in previous work for measuring of gas concentrations, temperature change, and strain. A current field study focuses on a spatially distributed monitoring of subsurface CO2 gas storage sites in near real time.
Mechanical impacts, e.g., caused by construction work, denudation, and seismic activity, can affect the integrity of underground gas storage sites. Thermal or moisture impacts, e.g., caused by weather conditions, can influence the gas distribution behavior. In this paper, we briefly describe the setup of a CO2 injection soil test field. This setup contains actuating elements for the investigation of mechanical and thermal impacts on distributed subsurface gas monitoring. A concept is given for evaluating these impacts and first experimental results are presented.
Gas sensors in linear form based on the measuring principle of gas selective permeability through a membrane were developed and introduced for the detection and quantification of gas concentrations. A current field study focuses on measuring CO2 concentrations for a spatially distributed monitoring of subsurface CO2 gas storage sites in near real time. A 400 m(2) test site and a corresponding laboratory system were built up to characterize, validate, and optimize the sensor. A calibration routine was developed, which can be applied subsequently to underground installation. First measurement results indicate the potential of the method.
A monitoring method is introduced that creates, in near real-time, two-dimensional (2D) maps of the soil gas distribution. The method combines linear gas sensing technology for in-situ monitoring of gases in soil with the mapping capabilities of Computed Tomography (CT) to reconstruct spatial and temporal resolved gas distribution maps. A weighted iterative algebraic reconstruction method based on Maximum Likelihood with Expectation Maximization (MLEM) in combination with a source-by-source reconstruction approach is introduced that works with a sparse setup of orthogonally-aligned linear gas sensors. The reconstruction method successfully reduces artifact production, especially when multiple gas sources are present, allowing the discrimination between true and non-existing so-called ghost source locations. A first experimental test indicates the high potential of the proposed method for, e.g., rapid gas leak localization.
In preliminary work, gas sensors in linear form based on the measuring principle of gas selective permeability through a membrane were developed and introduced for the detection and quantification of gas concentrations. In this study, first experimental results are presented for adapting the technology for measuring methane (CH4). A material with suitable selective permeability was identified and utilized in a sensor setup containing the gas selective membrane and a reference membrane, both integrated in a measuring cell, to which a gas stream with defined CH4 concentrations was applied. The results prove the sensor's capability for measuring methane and indicate further application potential of the method, e.g., as a robust field monitoring technology, since CH4 is the major component of natural gas, town gas, and fracking gas.
The combination of different types of sensors to multi-sensor devices offers excellent potential for monitoring applications. This should be demonstrated by means of four different examples of actual developments carried out by Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM): monitoring and indoor localization of relief forces, a micro-drone for gas measurement in hazardous scenarios, sensor-enabled radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags for safeguard of dangerous goods, and a multifunctional sensor for spatially resolved under-surface monitoring of gas storage areas. Objective of the presented projects is to increase the personal and technical safety in hazardous scenarios. These examples should point to application specific challenges for the applied components and infrastructure, and it should emphasize the potential of multi-sensor systems and sensor data fusion.
Insect behavior is a common source of inspiration for roboticists and computer scientists when designing gas-sensitive mobile robots. More specifically, tracking airborne odor plumes and localization of distant gas sources are abilities that suit practical applications such as leak localization and emission monitoring. Gas sensing with mobile robots has been mostly addressed with ground-based platforms and under simplified conditions and thus, there exist a significant gap between the outstanding insect abilities and state of the art robotics systems. As a step towards practical applications, we evaluated the performance of three biologically inspired plume tracking algorithms. The evaluation is carried out not only with computer simulations, but also with real-world experiments in which, a quadrocopter-based micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicle autonomously follows a methane trail towards the emitting source. Compared to ground robots, micro UAVs bring several advantages such as their superior steering capabilities and fewer mobility restrictions in complex terrains. The experimental evaluation shows that, under certain environmental conditions, insect like behavior in gas-sensitive UAVs is feasible in real world environments.
Leaking methane (CH4) from infrastructures, such as pipelines and landfills, is critical for the environment but can also pose a safety risk. To enable a fast detection and localization of these kind of leaks, we developed a novel robotic platform for aerial remote gas sensing. Spectroscopic measurement methods for remote sensing of selected gases lend themselves for use on mini-copters, which offer a number of advantages for inspection and surveillance over traditional methods. No direct contact with the target gas is needed and thus the influence of the aerial platform on the measured gas plume can be kept to a minimum. This allows to overcome one of the major issues with gas-sensitive mini-copters. On the other hand, remote gas sensors, most prominently Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) sensors have been too bulky given the payload and energy restrictions of mini-copters. Here, we present the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Remote Gas Sensing (UAV-REGAS), which combines a novel lightweight TDLAS sensor with a 3-axis aerial stabilization gimbal for aiming on a versatile hexacopter. The proposed system can be deployed in scenarios that cannot be addressed by currently available robots and thus constitutes a significant step forward for the field of Mobile Robot Olfaction (MRO). It enables tomographic reconstruction of gas plumes and a localization of gas sources. We also present first results showing its performance under realistic conditions.
Pollution through emission of toxic gases is an increasing problem for the environment. It affects similarly agricultural, industrial and urban areas. In future, environmental emissions in ambient air must be monitored at even lower concentrations as nowadays. One environmental relevant compound is ammonia and its conversion product ammonium that have strong negative impact on human health and ecosystems. Most ammonia measurements in ambient air are performed in the range below 1000 nmol·mol 1 and thus there is a need for reliable traceable ammonia gas standards and in addition in situ analytical procedures for monitoring (in ambient air to avoid that thresholds are exceeded). Therefore, the use of reference materials is necessary for development accompanying test or for calibration, e. g. of structure-integrated sensors and mobile multi-gas sensors.
The developed gas standard generator produces gas mixtures that comply with the metrological traceability for ammonia gas standards in the desired environmentally relevant measurement range. The method is based on the permeation of ammonia through a membrane at constant temperature and pressure. The resulting ammonia penetrant gas flow is then mixed with a carrier gas flow to generate a gas standard flow of known concentration. The dynamic rage is enlarged by using a two dilution steps. Depending on the permeation rate, generable molar fractions are possible in the range nmol·mol-1 to a few µmol·mol-1. We present the design of an ammonia gas standard generator and first results of the characterisation of its individual components supporting the uncertainty assessment according to GUM for stable gas concentrations in this range. The relative uncertainty of the generated ammonia gas standard is smaller than 4 % (k = 2).
Im Projekt KonSens werden für die Anwendungsbei-
spiele bauteilintegrierte Sensorik für Betonkomponen-
ten und mobile Multigassensorik Sensorsysteme in
Form von Funktionsmustern entwickelt, validiert und
angewendet. Schwerpunkte liegen einerseits in der
Detektion und Bewertung von Korrosionsprozessen in
Beton und andererseits in der Detektion und Quantifi-
zierung sehr geringer Konzentrationen toxischer Gase
in der Luft. Dabei ist die Adaption der sensorischen
Methoden aus dem Labor in reale Messumgebungen
inklusive geeigneter Kommunikationstechnik ein
wichtiger Aspekt.
Innovation is the catalyst for the technology of the future. It is important to develop new and better technologies that can continuously monitor the environmental impact, e.g., for air Quality control or emission detection. In the recently at BAM developed Universal Pump Sensor Control (UPSC3) module, different components and sensors are fused. The combination of the individual components makes the UPSC3 module an excellent monitoring and reference system for the development and characterization of gas specific sensors. Measurements over long periods are possible, for mixed gas loads or for certain gas measurements. The System is part of a mobile sensor network of several sensor units, which can also be used as standalone systems.
In this paper, we introduce a nano aerial robot swarm for indoor air quality monitoring applications such as occupational health and safety of (industrial) workplaces. The concept combines a robotic swarm composing of nano Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (nano UAVs), based on the Crazyflie 2.0 quadrocopter, and small lightweight metal oxide gas sensors for measuring the Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC) in ppb and estimating the eCO2 (equivalent calculated carbon-dioxide) concentration in ppm. TVOC is a measure for the indoor air quality. An indoor localization and positioning system will be used to estimate the absolute 3D position of the swarm like GPS. Based on this novel indoor air quality monitoring concept, the development and validation of new algorithms in the field of Mobile Robot Olfaction (MRO) are planned, namely gas source localization and gas distribution mapping. A test scenario will be built up to validate and optimize the gas-sensitive nano aerial robot swarm for the intended applications.
In this paper, we introduce a nano aerial robot swarm for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitoring applications such as occupational health and safety of (industrial) workplaces. The robotic swarm is composed of nano Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), based on the Crazyflie 2.0 quadrocopter, and small lightweight Metal Oxide (MOX) gas sensors for measuring the Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC), which is a measure for IAQ. An indoor localization and positioning system is used to estimate the absolute 3D position of the swarm similar to GPS. A test scenario was built up to validate and optimize the swarm for the intended applications. Besides calibration of the IAQ sensors, we performed experiments to investigate the influence of the rotor downwash on the gas measurements at different altitudes and compared them with stationary measurements. Moreover, we did a first evaluation of the gas distribution mapping performance. Based on this novel IAQ monitoring concept, new algorithms in the field of Mobile Robot Olfaction (MRO) are planned to be developed exploiting the abilities of an aerial robotic swarm.