SWA Coal - Portable LAser for Coal Emission Mapping (PLACEM)

The Portable LAser for Coal Emissions Mapping (PLACEM) is a scanning lidar for producing spatial images of airborne particulate concentrations in a continuous mode. It is a high power, eye-safe, scanning, pulsed laser with a highly sensitive detector measuring the reflected light from particulate matter in the air.

PLACEM is comprised of a laser, scanner, detector, mirrors, lens, and computer. In brief, a 10 meter long pulse of laser energy is fired from PLACEM. The beam is aimed by a set of mirrors in the scanner. Some of the laser energy is reflected by dust in the air. This backscatter reflection is measured with the detector. The timing of the measurement determines the distance from the instrument. Computer software is used for signal conditioning and to display and analyze the data.

PLACEM has two major application areas in the coal industry:

1. As an instrument to map fugitive dust emissions within a complex industrial setting.  Data collected over a period of time is then used to prioritize control measures.
    
2. As an emission control system component to actuate water cannons in real-time.

Download Placem Demo: file.zip (size K)

PLACEM installation

Direct PLACEM related questions or comments to Dave Emmitt