Remote monitoring of gaseous pollutants by image topography techniques

Thesis/Dissertation · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5675080

El-Massry, M H

The objective of this thesis was to experimentally demonstrate the viability of utilizing CCD video cameras to measure, detect and monitor molecular air pollution and trace contaminants in the atmosphere. Differential spectral absorption wavelengths were used to identify and delineate specific pollutants. Standard video output carried data to appropriate image processors, producing a color-coded display on an RGB monitor. A frame of video information captured by a frame grabber was processed according to the pollution ratio present in the frame and presented as a digitized image. This digitized image was then displayed on a topographical layout, showing varying levels of concentration and a distribution profile of the pollutant superimposed on the image of the scene being viewed. This video monitoring technique increases the capability of performing real-time frame analysis and structural analysis of pollutant concentrations. The differential absorption technique was used to detect images within a specific wavelength or absorption band, were synthesized, saved, and later retrieved as references in comparing similar absorption patterns in real-time. A pattern of absorption images could provide qualitative detection information on pollutants or the tracking of a contaminating gas spill over a densely populated area. Another important aspect of this technique is its potential to provide detection information via a standard video format signal which could be transmitted live to remote locations for additional interpretation. The Remote Sensing Laboratory of the City College of New York pioneered the use of the differential absorption of scattered laser energy (DASE), which successfully demonstrated that measurements of atmospheric molecular pollution could be used to provide real-time monitoring.

• Research Organization: City Univ. of New York, NY (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5675080
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
IMAGE PROCESSING
IMAGES
MAGNETIC STORAGE DEVICES
MAGNETIC TAPES
MEMORY DEVICES
POLLUTION
PROCESSING
REAL TIME SYSTEMS
SPECTRA
VIDEO TAPES