Pigc - a Low Cost Solution for Air Quality Monitoring and Methane Detection

Abstract:

We have demonstrated the ability to accurately measure key greenhouse and pollutant gasses with low cost solar observations using Pupil Imaging Gas Correlation (PIGC™) spectrometry. A methane abundance sensitivity of 0.5% or better of ambient column with uncooled microbolometers has been demonstrated with 1 second direct solar observations. These under $3k sensors can be deployed in precisely balanced autonomous grids to quasi-continuously monitor the flow of chosen gasses, and infer their source locations. Measureable gases include CH₄, ¹³CO₂, N₂O, NO, NH₃, CO, H₂S, HCN, HCl, HF, HDO and others. This paper reviews the measurement technique, performance demonstration and grid deployment strategy.