The Drone Flux Measurement (DFM) method has shown to produce accurate, quick and cost-efficient CH4 quantification measurements on a wide range of sources.
The main findings of the project can be summarized as follow:
• The selected methane- and wind sensors proved to be suitable for drone application
• Controlled CH4 release tests showed differences between the measured and calculated releases of 2 to 19 %, even at low emission rates
• The representative simultaneous comparative tests between the DFM and TDM (Tracer gas Dispersion Method) method showed differences down to between 3 and 9 %.
• The method uncertainty, calculated using the comparative tests, was calculated to appx. 21 % expanded uncertainty on a single measurement wall.
In total, the DFM method was tested on 11 biogas plants, 2 wastewater treatment plants and 2 pig farms, as well as on one landfill and one offshore oil platform. Some of the facilities have been measured twice, leading to a total number of 24 measuring campaigns.