Advancing VOC management: A mobile and drone-based approach for industrial emission monitoring

초록

Effective management of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in large, dense industrial complexes remains a critical challenge, as conventional monitoring methods are often too slow, limited in spatial coverage, and insufficiently resolved to pinpoint specific emission sources among thousands of facilities. This study introduces and validates a novel, multi-stage methodological framework which synergistically combines mobile Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS) with drone-based systems to enable rapid and precise source identification. The methodology begins with a wide-area mobile SIFT-MS survey, utilizing spatial statistics (Getis-Ord Gi*) to identify hotspots, followed by targeted drone deployment for high-resolution aerial screening. This multistage approach successfully resolved distinct chemical signatures from adjacent sources that were not separable by ground-based monitoring alone. For instance, the framework differentiated a xylene- and ethylbenzene-rich profile near chemical manufacturing facilities, a MEK (methyl ethyl ketone)-rich profile near paint production, and a toluene- and acrolein-rich profile originating from a painting facility. The quantitative reliability of the drone-based sampling was validated through concurrent ground-level measurements, which demonstrated a high consistency in capturing the unique chemical signature at each location. This study demonstrates that the integrated mobile-drone framework provides a scientifically robust and efficient approach for characterizing industrial VOC emissions. By progressing from broad spatial screening to precise, evidence-based source iden-tification, the methodology offers a powerful tool for targeted air quality management and has strong potential for application in highly complex industrial environments worldwide.

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