CTIR Spectrometer Gas Emission Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting gas emissions in real environments face challenges such as operator and bystander safety risks due to high power lasers and are affected by environmental factors, with limited sensitivity and selectivity, making it difficult to monitor chemical species like CO2, CH4, and H2O over large scales.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising light detectors and a quantum cascade laser source emitting infrared light at multiple wavelengths, with processors determining gas presence and distribution by analyzing light intensity across various paths, using reflectors to enhance data collection and reconstructing images into voxels for precise gas emission mapping, potentially deployed on unmanned aerial vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high power lasers are used for gas detection, then detection capability is improved, but operator and bystander safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the light source to the infrared region (specifically 3-15 micrometers), which allows for safe detection capabilities. This parameter change enables the system to detect gas emissions effectively while operating at power levels that are safe for human exposure, resolving the contradiction between detection capability and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses infrared light as a safer alternative copy or substitute for high power lasers. Instead of using dangerous high power laser beams, the system employs infrared radiation at specific wavelengths that can still interact with gas molecules for detection purposes but do not pose the same safety risks to operators and bystanders
2Device complexity
If conventional detection methods are used, then simplicity is maintained, but sensitivity and selectivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing specific infrared wavelengths (3-15 micrometers) that correspond to molecular absorption bands of target gases. This allows the detection system to achieve high sensitivity and selectivity by measuring light absorption at these characteristic wavelengths, where different gases have unique absorption signatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional detection mechanisms with an infrared-based optical measurement system. Instead of using complex mechanical sampling or chemical analysis methods, the system uses infrared light transmission and absorption measurements to detect and quantify gas emissions, achieving high sensitivity while maintaining relative system simplicity
3Reliability
If infrared light at 3-15 micrometers is used, then atmospheric moisture attenuation is reduced, but detection system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter to the 3-15 micrometer infrared range, which is specifically chosen because this region experiences less atmospheric moisture attenuation compared to other infrared bands. This parameter optimization improves reliability for outdoor and long-range detection applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a tunable quantum cascade laser that can operate across multiple wavelengths within the 3-15 micrometer range. This multi-functional capability allows the single device to detect various different gas species by tuning to their respective absorption wavelengths, achieving versatility without requiring multiple separate detection systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively and safely monitors gas emissions with improved sensitivity and selectivity, providing detailed distribution maps of gases like CO2 and CH4, while being eye-safe and less attenuated by atmospheric moisture, enabling persistent and on-demand chemical environment monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more processors is configured to receive information representing light intensity detected by each of the plurality of light detectors, respectively at each of the plurality of wavelengths and determine gases present in each path between the light source and a respective detector based on the light intensity detected by the respective detector at each of the plurality of wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
The reflector is configured to rotate at a preset angle such that the emitted light at each of the plurality of wavelengths is reflected towards each of the other plurality of detectors or each of the plurality of detectors
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for determining the presence and distribution of gas emissions in an area are provided. For example, a system may include one or more light detectors and one or more reflectors and/or one more retroreflectors disposed around the perimeter, a light source configured to emit light at a plurality of wavelengths towards the one or more light detectors and/or the one or more reflectors and/or one or more retroreflectors, and one or more processors configured to receive information representing light intensity detected by the one or more light detectors, respectively at each of the plurality of wavelengths and determine gases present in each path based on the light intensity detected by the respective detector at each of the plurality of wavelengths and distribution thereof. The path being either light source-respective detector, light source-respective reflector-respective detector or light source-respective retroreflector-respective detector. Other system may not use reflectors and/or retroreflectors.