Continuous emission monitoring (CM) solutions promise
to detect
large fugitive methane emissions in natural gas infrastructure sooner
than traditional leak surveys, and quantification by CM solutions
has been proposed as the foundation of measurement-based inventories.
This study performed single-blind testing at a controlled release
facility (release from 0.4 to 6400 g CH4/h) replicating
conditions that were challenging, but less complex than typical field
conditions. Eleven solutions were tested, including point sensor networks
and scanning/imaging solutions. Results indicated a 90% probability
of detection (POD) of 3–30 kg CH4/h; 6 of 11 solutions
achieved a POD < 6 kg CH4/h, although uncertainty was
high. Four had true positive rates > 50%. False positive rates
ranged
from 0 to 79%. Six solutions estimated emission rates. For a release
rate of 0.1–1 kg/h, the solutions’ mean relative errors
ranged from −44% to +586% with single estimates between −97%
and +2077%, and 4 solutions’ upper uncertainty exceeding +900%.
Above 1 kg/h, mean relative error was −40% to +93%, with two
solutions within ±20%, and single-estimate relative errors were
from −82% to +448%. The large variability in performance between
CM solutions, coupled with highly uncertain detection, detection limit,
and quantification results, indicates that the performance of individual
CM solutions should be well understood before relying on results for
internal emissions mitigation programs or regulatory reporting.