An Optimization‐Based Approach for Source Term Estimations of Atmospheric Releases. Issue 12 (26th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Turbelin, Grégory; Singh, Sarvesh; Ngae, Pierre; Kumar, Pramod
• Is Part Of: Earth and space science. Volume 5:Issue 12(2018)
• Page Start: 950
• Page End: 963
• Publication Date: 2018-12-26
• Subjects: source estimation -- inverse problem -- atmospheric dispersion -- optimization -- uncertainty -- deployment strategy; Space sciences -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 500.5
• DOI: 10.1029/2018EA000444
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2333-5084

Abstract

Abstract: This article highlights an optimization‐based approach to estimate the main characteristics (i.e., location and intensity) that describe the source of a release of a hazardous material (e.g., a chemical or biological agent) in the atmosphere. The method, which uses, as input data, concentration measurements provided by a network of sensors (and some additional meteorological data), is first formalized in the general framework of parametric source term estimation inverse problems. Some simple and new geometric interpretations of the method are proposed. Next, it is shown that the approach can also provide a realistic understanding of the uncertainties in the estimation of the characteristics of the source. Then, a strategy for an optimal deployment of mobile sensors in hazardous materials operations is proposed. To conclude, the source estimation approach and the network design strategy are evaluated with data from a wind tunnel experiment conducted at the Environmental Flow Research Center at the University of Surrey, UK. Key Points: To solve the source term estimation problem, a generalized optimization approach is proposed and new interpretations are suggested An additional method to compute confidence regions is proposed, and a strategy for positioning mobile sensors is discussed An evaluation with data from a wind tunnel experiment is performed