Transient Diffusion Modeling of Methane Plume and Source Localization

S. K. Nayaka[1],, S. Roya [1],, K. Ghosha [1],, S. Aroshb [2],, S. Prakashb[2],, S. P. Duttaguptaa [1][2]
[1] Center for Research in Nanotechnology and Science, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
[2] Dept. of Electrical Engineering, IIT Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Published in 2016

Methane detection and quantification is of great importance due to its natural abundance, potential to cause explosions and known greenhouse effect. Leak detection and concentration monitoring at source is highly challenging as CH4 is odorless and colorless. This can be performed mounting sensor network over a potential diffusion area. It requires optimal positioning of those sensor nodes to localize the source and estimate concentration for early warning and forecasting. That needs comprehensive simulation and numerical analysis of the gas diffusion behavior starting from a source. Primarily this work is comprised of the simulation study and numerical analysis for the transport behavior of methane plume to facilitate in optimal positioning of sensor network by estimating the concentration profile of plume and the concerned threat zone.