Utilisation of RPAS in oil and chemicals detection

• Main Authors: Sassi, Jukka, Siikanen, Sami, Höyhtyä, Marko
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland 2018
• Subjects: arctic; chemical; HNS; oil; platform; RPAS; sensor; Arctic
• Online Access: https://cris.vtt.fi/en/publications/9c1d7f5d-704d-4c33-b692-54579904fa11; https://publications.vtt.fi/pdf/technology/2018/T328.pdf

This report provides an overview of various sensor technologies and deploymentplatform options utilised in the remote sensing of oil and chemicals in fieldconditions. The data is based on published information, whereas the reportedfield experiments were performed by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finlandand Finnish Environmental Institute (SYKE) with their partners.The sensors with field-tested validation for oil detection include optical, infraredand hyperspectral sensors in addition to fluorosensors which were provided byAIF, LDI Innovations OÜ, NLS and Rikola Ltd for field testing. Additionally, someexperimental options such as trained dogs are discussed in the report based oninformation from literature sources.Chemical detection focuses on the options demonstrated in field conditions byVTT and SYKE with their partners or other stakeholders which have provideddocumented information. These options include products provided by e.g.Aeromon Ltd, Bruker Ltd, Dräger, Environics Ltd, and Telops Ltd.The deployment platforms include surface vessels, manned aircrafts, satellites,aerostats, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remote operated vehicles(ROVs) and unmanned aerial systems (UASs). UASs have also shown greatpotential in environmental monitoring as a novel, agile and cost-effective option.ROVs and AUVs also offer potential for underwater detection of oil.The detection of oils and chemicals exposes numerous challenges related to theprevailing environmental conditions (e.g. visibility, presence of ice or snow),limitations of the platform performance (e.g. payload, wind conditions,operational time) and sensors available for the mission. Consequently, differentsensors are needed for different target substances and for different weatherconditions.