Pioneering Methane Monitoring: How Qube Technologies’ Unique Controlled Release Test Facility (CRTF) Drives Real-World Precision
Author: Ben Montgomery
TL;DR
Qube Technologies has built the Controlled Release Test Facility (CRTF), which functions as a specialized field environment to conduct continuous monitoring (CM) emissions testing under controlled real-world conditions.
Through the work at the CRTF, Qube’s CM technology has significantly improved accuracy of its physics models to predict source emission rates and localization.
The CRTF will continue to play a pivotal role in advancing technology to mitigate the environmental impact of methane emissions, contributing significantly to global sustainability efforts.
In the rapidly evolving field of continuous monitoring (CM), Qube Technologies is leading the way in methane emissions measurement through advanced sensor technologies and data analysis. While lab testing is essential, real-world testing under variable conditions is crucial for developing reliable quantification solutions. Many traditional methods fall short in simulating real-world complexities, limiting their ability to quantify and localize methane emissions accurately.
To overcome these challenges, Qube invested in the Controlled Release Test Facility (CRTF). This facility serves as a unique platform for rigorously evaluating CM technologies in realistic environmental settings, enhancing their performance and reliability. The CRTF is integral to improving Qube’s CM platform and refining its predictive models, providing customers with more accurate and dependable monitoring solutions.
What is the CRTF?
Qube's CRTF is an outdoor emissions testing facility designed to rigorously assess and enhance methane quantification technologies. The CRTF benefits from a diverse range of environmental conditions, with temperatures ranging from -40°C (-40oF) to over 35°C (95oF) and wind speeds of up to 30 km/h (18.6 mph) across rolling terrain.
The facility features five distinct methane release points and seven strategically placed Qube devices, allowing precise simulation of methane plume behavior under real-world conditions, from small leaks to large discharges (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Plan view of the CRTF. The Qube detectors are indicated with colored circles and the emission points are represented by the cloud icons.
A sophisticated manifold system directs gas flow to any combination of release points, providing a controlled environment for testing sensor performance, placement strategies, and the accuracy of emission quantification and localization (Figure 2).
Figure 2. The CRTF equipment. A) There are five methane release sources located throughout the CRTF. B) The methane release to each release point is individually controlled by the sophisticated manifold system. C) The manifold system stationed in the field. D) Methane emissions are detected by the Qube devices stationed around the site. The CRTF flow manifold for regulating emissions to the source points. Qube devices are stationed throughout the CRTF allowing multiple sensor configurations.
Enhancing Methane Measurement Accuracy
At the CRTF, Qube’s lab-calibrated methane sensors undergo real-world testing to validate their accuracy and improve their understanding of methane plume behavior (Figure 3). This controlled environment allows Qube to refine sensor placement and optimize system accuracy for different field conditions, ensuring that its CM technology remains at the cutting edge.
Figure 3. Plume modeling at the CRTF. In the left panel, the dashboard visualizes a methane plume from data provided by the detection devices. In the right panel, smoke is released at source point to provide a physical visualization of the plume and aligning with the dashboard data.
Conclusions and Future Directions
The CRTF is a vital platform for advancing methane measurement and quantification technologies. Through ongoing research and testing, Qube continues to uncover new opportunities for innovation, such as refining gas dispersion models in low-wind conditions and examining vertical gas movement from elevated emission sources like flare stacks and tank farms (Figure 4).
Figure 4. The adjustable, elevated emission source at the CRTF.
This iterative process is driving the evolution of Qube’s CM systems, enhancing their precision and reliability. As regulatory scrutiny over methane emissions intensifies and the business case for conserving methane as a valuable resource strengthens, the CRTF’s contributions will shape the future of emissions management technologies across industries. With real-world testing capabilities, Qube ensures that its continuous monitoring solutions are well-equipped to meet the diverse challenges of methane management across various sectors.