University of Colorado

Longpath Technologies, Inc.

Robert J Wright

Gregory Brian Rieker

Caroline B Alden

Sean C Coburn

Gregory B Rieker

Kuldeep Prasad

David Wilson

A method for characterizing gas emissions includes sampling each of a plurality of sectors having a common geographic center. For each sector, a first laser beam is transmitted from the geographic center to a first retroreflection location, where it is retroreflected into a first retroreflected beam. Near the geographic center, the first retroreflected beam is measured to obtain a first absorption. A second laser beam is then transmitted from the geographic center to a second retroreflection location, where it is retroreflected into a second retroreflected beam. Near the geographic center, the second retroreflected beam is measured to obtain a second absorption. The first and second retroreflection locations are both located within the same sector. First and second concentrations are determined from the first and second absorptions and processed to determine emission information about a known or potential gas source whose source lies within the sector.

Systems and methods for characterizing atmospheric emissions

A method for characterizing gas emissions includes measuring first and second optical beams to generate first and second absorption signals, respectively. Each of the optical beams is transmitted from a center point and retroreflected back to the center point. Paths of the optical beams define boundaries of a sector. Based on the absorption signals, an emission rate of a gas from within the sector is determined. If the emission rate exceeds a threshold, a third optical beam is measured to generate a third absorption signal. The third optical beam is transmitted from the center point and retroreflected back to the center point. The third optical beam propagates along a path that divides the sector into first and second subsectors. Based on the first, second, and third absorption signals, a location of a source of the gas is identified as being within the first subsector or the second subsector.

Optical spectroscopy for characterizing atmospheric emissions

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Boulder, CO, United States of America

Robert J Wright