Air quality and weather solutions for industry

Mining is central to economies around the world, supplying essential materials for the production of everything from microchips to luxury goods. But digging into the earth may also have a lasting impact on a community’s air, water and land. Modern weather and environmental observation technology enables mines to be better prepared for sudden events and ensure smooth, safe and sustainable mining operations. Here are two ways accurate measurements, data and actionable insights lead to enhanced efficiency, healthier workers and better compliance with environmental regulations.

Fugitive dust emissions are a major threat to mining operational efficiency, safety and environmental compliance. WindCube® Scan — scanning lidar trusted the world over — helps you localize and identify dust emissions with clear insights on sources, hotspots and propagation pathways up to +10 km. Combined with conventional PM monitors, you can also accurately quantify dust contents and amounts.

Severe weather events like thunderstorms can have a major impact in mining operations, because lightning is a threat to mining personnel and can damage assets. Vaisala provides end-to-end lightning warning solutions that minimize operational downtime safely.

The world runs on energy, and weather conditions affect both supply and demand. To maximize output and save costs, energy providers must anticipate and respond to customer needs as accurately as possible. Here are two examples of how modern weather observations can help.

Supply and demand optimization: Electricity generation and demand fluctuate with ambient temperature in addition to wind conditions and even solar radiation. Hyper local weather insights are the key to optimization: Providers can target energy supplies to the areas that need it most, while organizations all along the energy development chain can minimize equipment damage and production safety risks.

Safety and emergency management: Power plants are critical for infrastructure, handling hazardous power sources, and many of them monitor weather according to national safety regulations to protect the plant itself (against extreme weather events) and the public (from hazardous emissions in case of accidental release). Highly accurate local weather stations and lightning awareness give power plants the insight needed to understand when and how conditions are changing so they can be prepared.

Petrochemicals are essential as demand rises for the synthetic products we use every day — from medicines to wind turbines. The plants that produce these important petrochemicals operate around the clock, and many are impacted by weather and emissions or fenceline monitoring requirements.

Vaisala’s weather and environmental monitoring solutions empower decision-makers with accurate information about current and upcoming conditions.

Weather impacts safety in several ways, such as high winds that can cause cranes to sideload, and lightning within an 8 km radius which can prompt plants to temporarily shut down for safety reasons. With the full measure of weather intelligence, petrochemical plants can take proactive steps to avoid worker safety risks, mitigate weather-induced fire hazards, and communicate effectively with local communities.

Fenceline monitoring is mandatory in several countries for major refineries and petrochemical sites. Wind speed and direction as well as temperature, pressure and humidity need to be measured to understand emissions dispersion as part of fenceline monitoring. from reference to professional grade to match local requirements. From reference grade to professional grade, Vaisala offers highly accurate and reliable weather sensors and stations to match local measurement requirements.