Mobile gas leak detection system

Abstract

Mobile system (100) for gas leak detection, comprising: - a motorized vehicle (1) with a plurality of wheels, equipped with an intake circuit (2) for taking at least one air sample from outside the motorized vehicle (1), - a gas detection device (3) attached to the motorized vehicle (1), the system (100) being characterized in that the gas detection device (3) comprises: - a sensor-based analysis unit (4) operatively connected to the intake circuit (2) and designed to receive at least one air sample from the intake circuit (2) at the inlet and to record concentration values ​​at various time intervals that are characteristic of a concentration of at least one predetermined gas in the incoming air sample;- a unit (5) for detecting the position of the motorized vehicle (1), designed to acquire information at different time intervals to determine the position occupied by the motorized vehicle (1); - a control unit (6) operatively connected to the sensor-based analysis unit (4) and the detection unit (5), and designed to assign each acquired concentration value to the acquired information for determining the position occupied by the motorized vehicle (1) with reference to the same time intervals, and to determine geolocated gas concentration information, which includes the acquired concentration values ​​in relation to the acquired positions occupied by the motorized vehicle (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a mobile gas leak detection system. The present invention is applicable in the field of on-site gas leak monitoring services. According to current technology, gas leaks are usually detected along the mostly underground distribution infrastructure by operators who walk through the city streets carrying a handheld device that can take air samples near the ground and detect any traces of gas escaping from the pipes. These portable devices are typically equipped with chemical sensors capable of detecting the concentration of methane (or other flammable gases) in the air and also feature GPS modules that allow for geolocation of the measurements taken. However, this type of solution has several limitations. First of all, such a detection system is time-consuming and requires considerable personnel resources, making it economically unviable and inefficient, especially in sprawling urban areas. Furthermore, the quality and frequency of measurements can be affected by the variability of operating conditions (walking speed, traffic, obstacles, human error, etc.) and the difficulty of ensuring homogeneous and repeatable coverage of the entire monitored area. Finally, the correlation between gas concentration data and the corresponding geographic location is not always precise due to the manual nature of the measurements and the limitations of portable devices. Therefore, there is a need for automated, efficient, and reliable gas leak monitoring systems capable of providing more comprehensive coverage, higher measurement frequency and accuracy, and more effective integration of concentration and geolocation data. In the aforementioned area, there is therefore a need to have a gas leak detection system that can achieve significantly higher inspection capacities than conventional methods and that enables comprehensive and continuous monitoring of the area as well as high-frequency air sampling. The aim of the invention is in particular to provide a mobile gas leak detection system that makes it possible to automate the process for inspecting the distribution infrastructure and to allow it to be carried out by non-specialized personnel. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a system that enables the operator to improve control over the distribution infrastructure, thereby significantly reducing latency times in the detection of gas leaks. The main features of the invention are illustrated by the description of various embodiments, which are shown in the accompanying drawings as purely exemplary and without limitation. These show: - Fig. 1 a schematic overall view of the mobile gas leak detection system that is the subject of this description; - Fig. 2 a schematic view of a first embodiment of a component of the system that is the subject of this description and is shown in Fig. 1; - Fig. 3 a schematic view of a second embodiment of a component of the system that is the subject of this description and is shown in Fig. 1. The subject of this description is a mobile gas leak detection system, which for the sake of simplicity will be referred to below as System 100. System 100 comprises a motorized vehicle 1 (also referred to simply as Vehicle 1 in the following description). Vehicle 1 is equipped with a variety of wheels. Preferably, but not limited to, vehicle 1 is a four-wheeled vehicle. For example, vehicle 1 is a vehicle commonly used for environmental services, such as a garbage truck or a vehicle for municipal cleaning and maintenance. Advantageously, the integration of the system 100 into vehicles that already systematically travel through the urban area allows the use of existing operational routes, thereby maximizing the efficiency of monitoring and further reducing operating costs. Vehicle 1 is equipped with an intake circuit 2 for taking at least one air sample from outside vehicle 1. According to one aspect of the present description, the intake circuit comprises two intake means. The intake means include an intake blower. The intake circuit 2 comprises a pipeline. According to one embodiment of the system 100, the intake blower is connected to the pipelines of the intake circuit 2. According to one aspect of the present invention, the motorized vehicle 1 comprises a front bumper and the intake circuit 2 comprises a magnetic strip mounted on a front bumper of the motorized vehicle 1. System 100 comprises a gas detection device 3, which is attached to the motorized vehicle 1. The vehicle 1, which is part of System 100, includes a passenger compartment. As an example of a possible arrangement of the gas detection device 3 on the vehicle 1, it is stated that the detection device 3 is mounted in the passenger compartment of the motorized vehicle 1. This arrangement of the gas detection device 3 offers advantages in terms of protecting the device 3 from weather influences and facilitating inspection work for the operator. According to another embodiment, the gas detection device 3 is housed in a soundproofed receiving compartment. The gas detection device 3 is housed in a soundproofed compartment designed to minimize the emission of vibrations and noise into the passenger compartment of the motorized vehicle 1. This solution ensures that the operator driving the vehicle 1 is not disturbed. The gas detection device 3 requires no interaction from the operator present in vehicle 1 for its operation. The gas detection device 3 switches on as soon as the vehicle on which it is installed is put into operation. According to the embodiments shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the gas detection device 3 comprises a sensor-based analysis unit 4. The sensor-based analysis unit 4 is operatively connected to the intake circuit 2. The sensor-based analysis unit 4 is designed to receive at least one air sample from the intake circuit 2 at its inlet. Once at least one air sample has been received at the entrance, the sensor-based analysis unit 4 is designed to record concentration values ​​at various time intervals that are characteristic of the concentration of at least one predefined gas in the incoming air sample. Once at least one air sample has been received at the entrance, the sensor-based analysis unit 4 is designed to record concentration values ​​at various time intervals that are characteristic of the concentration (preferably expressed in parts per million “ppm”) of methane (CH4) in the incoming air sample. According to the same embodiments, the gas detection device 3 comprises a unit 5 for detecting the position of the vehicle 1. Unit 5 for detecting the position of vehicle 1 is designed to acquire geographical information at various time intervals, which serves to determine the position occupied by vehicle 1. For example, unit 5 for detecting the position of vehicle 1 consists of a GPS module designed to acquire geographical information at various time intervals that is characteristic of the position occupied by vehicle 1. The gas detection device 3 includes a control unit 6. The control unit 6 is operatively connected to the sensor-based analysis unit 4. The control unit 6 is operatively connected to the unit 5 for detecting the position of the motorized vehicle 1. The control unit 6 is designed to assign each recorded concentration value to the recorded geographical information at equal time intervals in order to determine the position occupied by the vehicle 1. The control unit 6 is designed to determine geolocated gas concentration information, which includes the recorded concentration values ​​in relation to the recorded positions occupied by the vehicle 1. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the sensor-based analysis unit 4 comprises a first module 4a and a second module 4b. The first module 4a and the second module 4b each have an input connected to the intake circuit 2. According to one aspect of the present description, the first module 4a is arranged along the intake circuit 2 downstream of the second module 4b. According to another aspect of the present description, the first module 4a is arranged along the intake circuit 2 upstream of the second module 4b. The first module 4a is designed to record initial concentration values ​​at various time intervals. These initial concentration values ​​are indicative of the concentration of at least one predefined gas in the air sample entering the first module 4a. The first module 4a is designed to record initial concentration values, preferably expressed in ppm (parts per million), at various time intervals, which are indicative of a CH4 (methane) concentration in the air sample entering the first module 4a. The second module 4b is designed to record secondary concentration values ​​at various time intervals. These secondary concentration values ​​are characteristic of the concentration of at least one predefined gas in the air sample entering the second module 4b. Specifically, the second module 4b is designed to record secondary concentration values, preferably expressed in ppm (parts per million), at various time intervals, which are characteristic of a CH4 (methane) concentration in the air sample entering the second module 4b. The control unit 6 is designed to calculate an average concentration value and an instantaneous concentration value. Control unit 6 is designed to calculate the average concentration value for a given time interval based on the second set of concentration values. According to one aspect of this description, the average concentration value is calculated for a time interval between 10 and 50 seconds. The average concentration value is calculated over a time interval of preferably 30 seconds. The control unit 6 is designed to calculate an instantaneous concentration value based on one of the first concentration values, which is assigned to a time point that is close to the specified time interval. According to the present description, the instantaneous gas concentration value is calculated at a time that follows, precedes, or coincides with the predetermined time interval used to calculate the average concentration value. According to one aspect of the present description, the instantaneous gas concentration value is calculated at a time point following the 30-second interval over which the average gas concentration value is calculated. The control unit 6 is designed to calculate an actual gas concentration value based on a difference between the current gas concentration value and the average gas concentration value. The control unit 6 is designed to calculate an actual concentration value (preferably in ppm) of a gas (preferably methane) based on a difference between the current value of the methane concentration and the average value of the methane concentration. Advantageously, calculating the actual gas concentration value as the difference between the instantaneous value and the average value of the gas concentration makes it possible to distinguish random fluctuations from significant peak values ​​that indicate the presence of methane gas in the analyzed air sample. By subtracting the average gas concentration value from the instantaneous gas concentration value, background noise (random signal fluctuations) can be removed, isolating only the sustained peak values ​​that represent significant fluctuations in gas concentration. This approach improves the sensitivity of System 100, ensuring that only significant anomalies in gas concentration are detected. The first module 4a and / or the second module 4b each comprise a plurality of mirrors and at least one laser transmitter designed to emit a laser beam between the mirrors. The operating principle of the sensor-based analysis unit 4 is based on the continuous emission of an infrared laser with a wavelength of 1.65 micrometers. The laser beam is kept in oscillation between two mirrors, a forward and a rear mirror, creating a closed optical path in which the light is repeatedly reflected. During this process, an air sample is drawn in by intake circuit 2 and passed across the laser beam. If methane molecules are present in the air sample, they interact with the laser radiation, absorb some of the energy, and change the original wavelength. This change in the wavelength of the laser beam is proportional to the concentration of methane (CH4) in the air sample. Analyzing the wavelength variation of the laser beam allows for precise quantification of the methane concentration, i.e., the presence of methane in parts per million (ppm), since the degree of absorption is directly related to the number of molecules struck by the beam. Advantageously, the operating principle of the sensor-based analysis unit 4 minimizes false positives, thanks to the selectivity of the wavelength used, which is typically absorbed by methane but not by other common gases. This enables the rapid and accurate detection of leaks or dangerous accumulations of methane. According to another aspect of the present description, the control unit 6 is designed to calculate a first average concentration value, a first instantaneous concentration value, a second average concentration value, and a second instantaneous concentration value. The control unit 6 is designed to calculate, based on the first concentration values, the first average concentration value that corresponds to a given time interval. The control unit 6 is also designed, based on the same first concentration values, to calculate the first instantaneous concentration value that corresponds to a time point following the given time interval. Control unit 6 is designed to calculate a second average concentration value based on the second set of concentration values, which is assigned to a given time interval. Control unit 6 is also designed to calculate a second instantaneous concentration value based on the same second set of concentration values, which is assigned to a time point close to the given time interval. Finally, the control unit 6 is designed to calculate a first actual concentration value and a second actual concentration value. The control unit 6 is designed to calculate the first actual concentration value based on the difference between the first instantaneous concentration value and the first average concentration value. The control unit 6 is designed to calculate the second actual concentration value based on the difference between the second instantaneous concentration value and the second average concentration value. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor-based analysis unit 4 comprises a first module 4a which has an input connected to the intake circuit 2. According to this embodiment, the control unit 6 is designed to calculate an average concentration value and an instantaneous concentration value based on the first concentration values. According to this embodiment, the control unit 6 is designed to calculate, based on the initial concentration values, an average concentration value assigned to a predetermined time interval, and, based on the same initial concentration values, to calculate an instantaneous concentration value assigned to a point in time following the predetermined time interval. The control unit 6 is designed to calculate an actual concentration value based on the difference between the instantaneous concentration value and the average concentration value, both calculated using the same initial concentration values. The control unit 6 is designed to calculate an actual concentration value based on a difference between the current concentration value and the average concentration value, both of which were obtained using the first module 4a. System 100 includes a storage unit 7. The storage unit 7 is operatively connected to the control unit 6. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the storage unit 7 is located inside the detection device 3. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the storage unit 7 is located outside the detection device 3. The storage unit 7 is operatively connected to the detection device 3 via a transmission unit 8. The control unit 6 is designed to send the geolocated gas concentration information to the storage unit 7. The control unit 6 is designed to send the geolocated gas concentration information, including the actual concentration value, to the storage unit 7. The control unit 6 is designed to send the first actual gas concentration value and the second actual gas concentration value to the storage unit 7. The storage unit 7 is designed to receive the geolocated gas concentration information from the control unit 6. The storage unit 7 is designed to receive the geolocated gas concentration information, including the actual gas concentration value, from the control unit 6. The storage unit 7 is designed to receive the first actual gas concentration value and the second actual gas concentration value from the control unit 6. Storage unit 7 is designed to store the received geolocated gas concentration information. Storage unit 7 is designed to store the geolocated gas concentration information, including the received actual gas concentration value. Storage unit 7 is designed to store the first received actual gas concentration value and the second received actual gas concentration value. System 100 includes a mapping unit 9. The mapping unit 9 can be interconnected with the control unit 6. Mapping unit 9 is designed to receive geolocated gas concentration information from control unit 6. This information includes the measured concentration values ​​and their corresponding positions occupied by vehicle 1. Mapping Unit 9 is designed to provide visual representations of geolocated gas concentration information. Mapping Unit 9 is designed to provide at least one graphical representation of the geolocated gas concentration information. Mapping Unit 9 is designed to provide at least one graphical representation of the geolocated gas concentration information on a map. The graphical representation of the geolocated gas concentration information on the map includes the territorial information assigned to at least some of the recorded positions of the geolocated gas concentration information. Advantageously, the mapping unit 9 provides the route traveled by the vehicle 1, on which the gas detection device 3 is mounted, on a map. Information on the actual gas concentration is displayed at the geolocated positions on the map. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the system 100 comprises an interface module 10. The interface module 10 is operatively connected to the control unit 6. The interface module 10 is designed to transmit geolocated gas concentration information determined by the control unit 6. The interface module 10 includes an electrical connector. Interface module 10 is designed to wirelessly transmit geolocated gas concentration information. Preferably, interface module 10 is designed to transmit the geolocated gas concentration information via WLAN. Advantageously, interface module 10 of System 100 enables fast and automatic transmission of geolocated gas concentration information to external detection or monitoring systems without requiring physical connections. Thus, interface module 10 facilitates the integration of System 100 into existing network infrastructures and enables immediate remote access to geolocated gas concentration information. Advantageously, the System 100 significantly contributes to reducing latency times in the detection of a gas leak, enabling the supplier to intervene in a timely and targeted manner. The System 100 described here thus represents a potential strategic tool for gas distribution network operators, as it enables systematic and dynamic infrastructure monitoring and generates real-time geolocated data on areas where potential leaks occur. Given current regulations that allow for monitoring of a compliant pipeline every three or four years, the proposed solution facilitates a transition from sporadic to continuous (frequent) analysis over time. This results in a significant improvement in safety, a substantial reduction in the environmental and economic risks associated with undetected leaks, and an increase in the reliability of supply. Even more advantageous is that, thanks to the automation of the system described here, monitoring activities can also be carried out by non-specialized personnel, thereby further reducing operating costs and simplifying inspection procedures. The System 100 described here makes it possible to integrate the detection of gas leaks into the normal daily activity of waste collection or environmental care, thus ensuring capillary and continuous area-wide monitoring of the gas supply infrastructure with minimal logistical and organizational impact.

Claims

Mobile system (100) for gas leak detection, comprising: - a motorized vehicle (1) with a plurality of wheels, equipped with an intake circuit (2) for taking at least one air sample from outside the motorized vehicle (1), - a gas detection device (3) attached to the motorized vehicle (1), the system (100) being characterized in that the gas detection device (3) comprises: - a sensor-based analysis unit (4) operatively connected to the intake circuit (2) and designed to receive at least one air sample from the intake circuit (2) at the inlet and to record concentration values ​​at various time intervals that are characteristic of a concentration of at least one predetermined gas in the incoming air sample;- a unit (5) for detecting the position of the motorized vehicle (1), designed to acquire information at different time intervals to determine the position occupied by the motorized vehicle (1); - a control unit (6) operatively connected to the sensor-based analysis unit (4) and the detection unit (5), and designed to assign each acquired concentration value to the acquired information for determining the position occupied by the motorized vehicle (1) with reference to the same time intervals, and to determine geolocated gas concentration information, which includes the acquired concentration values ​​in relation to the acquired positions occupied by the motorized vehicle (1). System (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the sensor-based analysis unit (4) comprises a first module (4a) and a second module (4b), each having an inlet connected to the intake circuit (2), and wherein: - the first module (4a) is designed to detect first concentration values ​​at different time intervals, which are characteristic of the concentration of at least one predetermined gas in the air sample entering the first module (4a); - the second module (4b) is designed to detect second concentration values ​​at different time intervals, which are characteristic of the concentration of at least one predetermined gas in the air sample entering the second module (4b); - the control unit (6) is designed to calculate: - an average concentration value assigned to a predetermined time interval, based on the second concentration values;- an instantaneous concentration value assigned to a point in time close to the specified time interval, based on one of the initial concentration values; - an actual concentration value based on a difference between the instantaneous concentration value and the average concentration value. System (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first module (4a) is arranged along the intake circuit (2) downstream of the second module (4b). System (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first module (4a) is arranged along the intake circuit (2) upstream of the second module (4b). System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor-based analysis unit (4) comprises a first module (4a) having an inlet connected to the intake circuit (2), and wherein: - the first module (4a) is designed to detect initial concentration values ​​at various time intervals, which are characteristic of the concentration of at least one predetermined gas in the air sample entering the first module (4a); - the control unit (6) is designed to calculate: - an average concentration value assigned to a predetermined time interval, based on the initial concentration values; - an instantaneous concentration value assigned to a time point following the predetermined time interval, based on the same initial concentration values;- an actual concentration value, based on a difference between the current concentration value and the average concentration value.; System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor-based analysis unit (4) comprises a first module (4a) and a second module (4b), each having an inlet connected to the intake circuit (2), and wherein: - the first module (4a) is designed to detect first concentration values ​​at different time intervals, which are characteristic of the concentration of at least one predetermined gas in the air sample entering the first module (4a); - the second module (4b) is designed to detect second concentration values ​​at different time intervals, which are characteristic of the concentration of at least one predetermined gas in the air sample entering the second module (4b); - the control unit (6) is designed to calculate: - a first average concentration value, which is assigned to a predetermined time interval, based on the first concentration values;- a first instantaneous concentration value assigned to a time point close to the specified time interval, based on the same first concentration values; - a second average concentration value assigned to a specified time interval, based on the second concentration values; - a second instantaneous concentration value assigned to a time point close to the specified time interval, based on the same second concentration values; - a first actual concentration value based on a difference between the first instantaneous concentration value and the first average concentration value; - a second actual concentration value based on a difference between the second instantaneous concentration value and the second average concentration value. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a storage unit (7) which is operatively connected to the control unit (6). System (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the storage unit (7) is located within the detection device (3). System (100) according to claim 7, wherein the storage unit (7) is located outside the detection device (3) and is operatively connected to it via a transmission unit (8). System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (6) is designed to send the geolocated gas concentration information to the storage unit (7). System (100) according to one of the preceding claims and one of claims 2 or 5, wherein the control unit (6) is designed to send the geolocated gas concentration information, including the actual concentration value, to the storage unit (7). System (100) according to one of the preceding claims and according to claim 5, wherein the control unit (6) is designed to send the first actual concentration value and the second actual concentration value to the storage unit (7). System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a mapping unit (9) which can be operatively connected to the control unit (6). System (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the mapping unit (9) is designed to receive geolocated gas concentration information from the control unit (6), which includes the detected concentration values ​​in relation to the detected positions occupied by the motorized vehicle (1). System (100) according to claims 13 or 14, wherein the mapping unit (9) is designed to provide visual representations relating to the geolocated gas concentration information. System (100) according to one of claims 13 to 14, wherein the mapping unit (9) is designed to provide at least one graphical representation of the geolocated gas concentration information on a map, wherein the map includes territorial information that is assigned to at least some of the recorded positions of the geolocated gas concentration information. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first module (4a) and / or the second module (4b) each comprise a plurality of mirrors and at least one laser transmitter designed to emit a laser beam between the mirrors. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle (1) comprises a passenger compartment and wherein the detection device (3) is mounted in the passenger compartment of the motorized vehicle (1). System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motorized vehicle (1) comprises a front bumper and the intake circuit (2) comprises a magnetic strip mounted on a front bumper of the motorized vehicle (1). System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the intake circuit (2) comprises intake means. System (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the suction means comprise a suction blower. System (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the intake circuit (2) comprises a pipeline, wherein the intake blower is connected to the pipeline. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an interface module (10) that is operatively connected to the control unit (6) and is designed to transmit geolocated gas concentration information. System (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the interface module (10) comprises an electrical connector. System (100) according to one of claims 23 to 24, wherein the interface module (10) is designed to wirelessly transmit geolocated gas concentration information, preferably via WLAN.

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