Measurements of particulate matter concentrations using a drone.

The Institute of Fuel and Energy Technology together with the following municipalities: Woźniki, Koszęcin, Bojszowy, Węgierska Górka, Miedźno, Ogrodzieniec, Rybnik, Kroczyce, Częstochowa and Żywiec, carry out activities under the LIFE project “Silesia. Blue sky". The aim is to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the provisions of the Silesian anti-smog resolution in the group of sources forming the so-called hot-spot (a group of several dozen individual buildings in a densely built-up area).

As part of the project, apart from the installation of particulate matter sensors, measurements of the concentration of particulate matter in the air in the immediate vicinity of the chimneys of selected single-family houses will be carried out using a drone. Measurements will be carried out in the same area for 5 consecutive heating seasons.

It means that a measuring drone may appear over the houses between 10.00-17.00. The measurements are in accordance with Polish law, the people who conduct them have the appropriate qualifications, and the place and scope of the measurement has been consulted with representatives of the municipality.

The purpose of the measurement is not the individual control of individual emission sources, therefore it will not result in any consequences for the owners of the tested heating devices.

In connection with the implementation of the project assumptions, The Institute of Fuel and Energy Technology also conducts activities aimed at improving the competences of persons authorized by the municipality authorities to conduct inspections and increasing the effectiveness of inspections by using new measurement tools, such as sensors installed on a drone and analysis of combustion waste. The sub-measure is addressed to municipalites with the lowest number of inspections per year and other where ash samples have not been collected from household appliances in recent years.

Support includes:

• training of employees of the municipality office in conducting control activities by a long-term specialist in the field of sampling combustion waste;
• carrying out inspections using pollution sensors installed on the drone by competent and experienced operators;
• sufficient accessories necessary to collect combustion waste samples and carry out chemical analysis of combustion waste samples taken in the 2022/2023 heating season by an accredited laboratory, together with issuing an expert opinion in accordance with the air protection programme Feniks methodology developed by specialists from the Institute of Fuel and Energy Technology.