Development of an unmanned aerial vehicle UAV for air

Development of an unmanned aerial vehicle UAV for air
quality measurements in urban areas
Patrick Haas1, Christophe Balistreri2, Piero Pontelandolfo2, Gilles Triscone3
University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland, hepia, Geneva, Switzerland
Hasret Pekoz4
Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
and
Antonio Pignatiello4
Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
Based on an UAV platform from fly-n-sense, a system for air quality measurement is
developed. The system is able to measure PM10, O3 and NO2 (see fig. 1 and 2). The wind
speed is also determined by the use of the stabilization system and based on the pitching
angle obtained under wind conditions. Detailed maps of pollution concentration can be done.
The phenomenon related to particle movements or pollutant diffusion can be outlined with a
positioning tolerance smaller than one meter. The main objective of the UAV measurement
campaign is to determine boundary conditions for CFD calculations at the borders of a city.
The aerodynamic development of the UAV includes CFD simulations, wind tunnel
experiments, in flight measurements and finally, the sensors selection, integration and
validation.
Nomenclature
A
j
K
= amplitude of oscillation
= waypoint index
= trailing-edge (TE) nondimensional angular deflection rate
I. Introduction
B
ased on an UAV platform, a system for air quality measurement is developed. The system is able to measure
PM10, O3 and NOx (see fig. 1 and 2). The wind speed is also determined by the use of the stabilization system
and based on the pitching angle obtained under wind conditions. Detailed maps of pollution concentration can be
measured. The phenomenon related to particle movements or pollutant diffusion can be outlined with a positioning
tolerance smaller than one meter. The main objective of the UAV measurement campaign is to analyze in situ the
pollutant distribution, to validate CFD simulation results, and to determine boundary conditions for CFD
calculations at the borders of a city or a calculation domain.
•
•
The development of the UAV includes the following chapters:
The aerodynamics using CFD simulations, wind tunnel experiments and finally in flight measurements
1
Professor, hepia-cmefe, [email protected], AIAA Senior Member
Research Assistant, hepia-cmefe, AIAA Member
3
Research Coordinator, hepia
4
Master Student
2
1
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
•
•
The sensors selection, integration and validation
The UAV performances evaluation in real situations
Fig. 1: The hexacopter UAV equipped with the NO2 payload Fig. 2: The NO2 payload with 16 bits digitalizer and 2.4 GHz data link to ground station II. UAV aerodynamics – Wind tunnel study
The aerodynamics of the UAV was first studied in wind tunnel. The system was installed on a six-component
balance at the top of a 2m profile (Fig. 3 and 4). The study parameters are the wind speed, the propeller speed and
the pitch angle. The forces and moments are recorded to describe completely the UAV aerodynamics. These data
describe the complete behavior of the UAV in flight.
The dynamics of such aircraft is complex (Fig. 5). Fs and Ms are the resultant force and moment generated by the
propellers. These last can have different rotational speeds if a motion of the UAV on an axis shall be done. The
relative motion of the fluid around the structure gives an aerodynamic force FA applied to the aerodynamic center
CA. FA can be decomposed in a drag FD and a lift FL.
In the case the UAV is stationary and the wind is constant in direction and amplitude, the situation is simple and a
direct relation between the pitch angle and the wind speed exists. From the measurements in wind tunnel we extract
the situations when the sustentation force Fsz is equal to the UAV weight G, and the horizontal force measured by
the balance is zero. In this situation, we obtain a direct estimation of the wind speed and direction as a function of
the inclination angle. This angle is a combination of the pitch and roll angles. The results of this analysis are given
hereafter (fig. 6).
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American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Fig. 3: Wind tunnel test set-­‐up Fig. 4: Pitch adjustable support and six-­‐component balance Fig. 5: Summary of forces and moments acting on the UAV.
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Fig. 6: Relative UAV - wind speed as a function of the inclination angle in stationary
flight (wind tunnel results)
III. UAV aerodynamics – CFD study
A complete study of the UAV aerodynamics was also done using CFD technics. The results obtained are useful to
describe the flow around the vehicle. It gives also a global understanding of the flow patterns generated by the six
propellers. The air volume mixed by the UAV propellers is evaluated. This represents the spatial discretization of
the measurements done by the gas sensors.
For this CFD analysis, a 3D scan of the propellers have been done and is introduced in the mesher (figs. 7 and 8). A
patch independent scheme is used with tetrahedral elements and prism at the walls. Interface technics are used to
give a rotational speed to the propellers without the need to remesh the global volume (fig. 9).
The solver set for this analysis is time dependent and uses a SIMPLE scheme. The Spalart-Allmaras turbulence
model has been chosen and the mesh adapted locally to obtain y+ close to 5 (fig. 10). The model has approx. 15
millions of cells and need about 9.0 seconds of real time for the flow to establish. This takes about one day
calculation with our cluster.
Figs. 11 to 13 show the results of the flow around the UAV in terms of pathlines, pressures on the UAV body and
velocities in the domain. A detailed analysis of these results highlights the aerodynamic performances of the UAV
and finally its flight possibilities in term of payload, accelerations, speeds, ecc.
From these we can also see the volume of air mixed by the drone is approximately a cylinder of 2 meters radius and
10 m length. 2 m above the UAV, the air starts to move significantly, and the jet is clearly visible until 8 m
downward. These dimensions represent the spatial discretization of the measurements system.
4
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Fig. 7: 3D scan of the propellers Fig. 8: A file of points is obtained and used as a geometry boundary in the mesher 5
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Fig. 9: Interfaces technics used to give a rotational Fig. 10: Mesh y+ at the UAV surfaces speed to the propellers Fig. 11: Pathlines and speed at the surfaces Fig. 12 Contours of velocity magnitude 6
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Fig. 13: Velocity vectors and static pressure values on the UAV body
IV. Gas sensors selection
The gas sensor selection has been for the PM10 suspended particulated matter (SPM), O3 and NO2. We first start
with the evaluation of semiconductor (metallic oxide) sensors of low cost and easy to find on the market. These
products have been compared to state of the art sensors used traditionally by the services responsible of the air
quality in major cities. These product are generally based on the following technologies:
PM10
Laser diffraction (light scattering)
Gravimetry
O3
UV absorption (AUV)
Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS)
NO2
Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS)
Luminol Chemiluminescence (CL)
The NO2 payload is represented in fig. 2. It includes a 16 bit digitalizer linked to ground station by a 2.4 GHz radio
signal. The O3 and PM10 payloads are represented respectively in figs. 14 and 15. The weights of the payloads are
approx. 1 – 1.2 Kg.
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V. First flights
A measurement campaign is under way. Flights have been done and data collected. The flight performances and the
wind speed measurement capabilities established during the study are evaluated.
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Fig. 14: O3 AUV payload Fig. 15: PM10 LOAC payload installed on the UAV VI. Conclusion
A measurement campaign is under way. Flights have been done and data collected. The flight performances and the
wind speed measurement capabilities established during the study are evaluated.
Acknowledgments
SPair, HES-SO
The preferred spelling of the word “acknowledgment” in American English is without the “e” after the “g.” Avoid
expressions such as “One of us (S.B.A.) would like to thank…” Instead, write “F. A. Author thanks…” Sponsor and
financial support acknowledgments are also to be listed in the “acknowledgments” section
References
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2
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3
Triscone, G., "The Clean City Project", Internal document, Project description, University of Applied Sciences Western
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4
WHO Regional Office for Europe, "Health aspects of air pollution, results from the WHO project.
5
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6
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7
Pignatiello, A., "Development of a micro-drone based system for environmental measurements", Internal report, Master
thesis, hepia- University Bologna, 2012.
Balistreri, C., "
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