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-transform infrared spectrometer. The thermal radiation emitted by the post-combustion gas is analysed to determine plume temperatures and concentrations of CH4,CO2,CO,NO and H2O. The multicomponent air pollution software (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 small, while significant amounts of carbon dioxide are released.