3D Gas Mapping with Occlusion Processing for Faster Leak Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas detection and monitoring technologies are inadequate for cost-effective, large-area, high-sensitivity, and quantitative detection of target gases, particularly in applications like leak detection and quantification for oil and gas infrastructure, emissions monitoring, carbon sequestration, and environmental monitoring, lacking efficient use of 3D spatial data for localization and flux estimation.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing 3D spatial data to identify regions and structures for gas monitoring, combining it with gas sensing measurements to optimize measurement procedures, and employing occlusion processing and segmentation algorithms to enhance detection confidence and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional gas detection methods are used without 3D spatial data integration, then the measurement coverage can be large-area, but the measurement time is excessive and detection precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement area into multiple sub-regions based on 3D spatial data and occlusion analysis. By dividing the large-area monitoring task into smaller segments that can be measured more efficiently, the system achieves both comprehensive coverage and reduced measurement time while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary occlusion processing and 3D spatial analysis before actual gas detection measurements. By pre-identifying occluded regions and optimizing measurement paths in advance, the system eliminates unnecessary measurements and reduces overall measurement time without compromising detection precision.
2Reliability
If comprehensive gas monitoring of all regions is performed, then detection confidence is improved, but measurement time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating measurement strategies for different regions based on occlusion analysis. Visible regions receive standard measurement coverage while occluded regions receive enhanced or alternative measurement approaches, ensuring detection confidence is maintained for all areas without uniformly increasing measurement time across the entire scene.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces 3D spatial data and occlusion processing as intermediary elements that mediate between the sensor and the target gas regions. This intermediary layer provides information about scene geometry and occlusions, enabling the system to optimize measurement paths and maintain detection confidence while reducing unnecessary measurements.
3Measurement precision
If 3D spatial data processing and occlusion analysis are added to gas detection, then detection precision and localization accuracy improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal algorithms for 3D spatial data processing and occlusion analysis that can be applied across different gas detection scenarios and infrastructure types. By using multi-functional processing routines that handle various scene configurations, the system achieves improved localization accuracy without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified 3D spatial representations and occlusion models as copies of the actual scene geometry. These simplified models enable efficient gas leak localization and flux estimation without requiring complex real-time processing of complete high-resolution spatial data, thus improving localization accuracy while managing computational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Measurement approaches and data analysis methods are disclosed for combining 3D topographic data with spatially-registered gas concentration data to increase the efficiency of gas monitoring and leak detection tasks. Here, the metric for efficiency is defined as reducing the measurement time required to achieve the detection, or non-detection, of a gas leak with a desired confidence level. Methods are presented for localizing and quantifying detected gas leaks. Particular attention is paid to the combination of 3D spatial data with path-integrated gas concentration measurements acquired using remote gas sensing technologies, as this data can be used to determine the path-averaged gas concentration between the sensor and points in the measurement scene. Path-averaged gas concentration data is useful for finding and quantifying localized regions of elevated (or anomalous) gas concentration making it ideal for a variety of applications including: oil and gas pipeline monitoring, facility leak and emissions monitoring, and environmental monitoring.