Real-time kinematic positioning-based multi-point sampling uncrewed aerial vehicle platform for autonomous plume sampling via start-and-forget commands from wireless networks

• Developing a kinematic positioning-based autonomous multi-point sampling UAV platform. • Organic and inorganic gases at the chimney outlet were collected and analyzed. • Developing a method for detecting illegal exhaust emissions without warning. • The freshness of waste was assessed by the ratio of nitrite to nitrate concentrations This study developed a real-time kinematic positioning-based multi-point sampling uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) platform for autonomous plume detection. The autonomous UAV platform includes take-off, flight path programming, sampling tube entering the plume flow, sampling pump start/stop, return and orientation/original position landing, shutdown, etc. Four field tests were conducted at a municipal incineration plant and a plastic packaging manufacturing plant. Organic gases were collected in Tedlar bag, while inorganic acid gases were collected using activated silica gel adsorption tubes. This work proposed a strategy for obtaining representative samples by minimizing the impact of high exhaust volumes and thermal currents from large chimneys on the flight of drone sampling platforms. Each sample after sampling was analyzed in the laboratory, including qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic gases and inorganic acid gases. Organic gas analysis results provide detailed insights into the combustion composition and performance of three waste incinerators and one regenerative thermal incinerator. Inorganic acid gas analysis results used the ratio of nitrite ion to nitrate ion concentrations to assess the freshness of the waste in the three waste storage pits. Inorganic acid gas analysis results used the ratio of nitrite ion to nitrate ion concentrations to assess the freshness of the waste in the three waste storage pits. Chloride ion measurements were also used to assess chloride content in the wastes and potential dioxin production in the flue gases. The field test results confirmed that the autonomous chimney outlet airflow sampling of the UAV platform by off-site start-and-forget command was successful.