REMOTE-SENSING OF GAS EMISSIONS ON NATURAL-GAS FLARES

Emissions from operational natural gas flares are examined by a remote sensing technique using a commercial moderate-resolution Fourier-tran sform infrared spectrometer. The thermal radiation emitted by the post -combustion gas is analysed to determine plume temperatures and concen trations of CH4,CO2,CO,NO and H2O. The multicomponent air pollution so ftware (MAPS) is applied which is based on radiative transfer line-by- line calculations and least-squares fit procedures. Emission rates and combustion efficiencies are calculated which indicate that the local environmental impact of methane emissions from natural gas flares is s mall, while significant amounts of carbon dioxide are released.