Fugitive Emissions Monitoring GUI for Real-Time Leak Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting fugitive emissions in industrial facilities, such as EPA Method 21, are resource-intensive, costly, and prone to safety concerns, with high temporal latency and limited ability to visualize complex data effectively, especially in large facilities with hard-to-reach sources.
Innovation Solution
A smart digital platform that utilizes a sensor network-based emissions monitoring system to collect, analyze, and visualize data on a graphical user interface, identifying potential source locations of leaks and providing real-time, interactive visualizations to facilitate quicker and more accurate leak detection and prioritization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual inspection methods (EPA Method 21) are used to detect fugitive emissions, then leak detection capability is achieved, but resource consumption and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection methods with an automated sensor network system. Sensors are deployed throughout the facility to continuously monitor for fugitive emissions, eliminating the need for manual probe inspections while maintaining reliable leak detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor network system operates autonomously to detect and monitor emissions without requiring continuous human intervention. The system self-manages data collection, processing, and alert generation, reducing resource consumption while maintaining detection reliability.
2Reliability
If manual inspection methods are used, then leak detection is performed, but temporal latency increases due to periodic monitoring intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor network provides continuous real-time monitoring of fugitive emissions throughout the facility, eliminating the periodic intervals inherent in manual inspection methods. This continuous action ensures immediate detection of leaks without temporal latency, while the automated system manages resource usage efficiently.
3Reliability
If comprehensive sensor deployment is implemented to cover all potential emission sources, then detection coverage is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The facility is divided into multiple zones or regions, with sensors strategically deployed in each segment. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage to be achieved through distributed, manageable sensor groups rather than a single complex centralized system, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection coverage.
4Reliability
If manual inspection procedures are used, then leak detection is achieved, but safety risks to inspectors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual inspection procedures with automated sensor networks that detect fugitive emissions remotely. This substitution eliminates inspector exposure to hazardous emissions, improving safety while maintaining reliable leak detection capability through continuous automated monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart digital computer platform is disclosed that collects, analyzes, and/or renders appropriate information about fugitive emissions identified by a sensor network-based emissions monitoring system in a facility. More specifically to the methods used by the smart digital computer platform to analyze, filter, and transform the collected monitoring data into a visual output that is capable of being rendered on a graphical user interface (GUI) on a screen display with, in some embodiments, a restricted form factor. For example, smart analytics may be used to cull, filter, and transform the data displayed in a pop-up dialog box on a GUI. In another example, the transformed data may be translated into a visual, graphical element that conveys an abundance of appropriate, tailored information to a particular type of user viewing the GUI.