Infrared Leak Localization and Quantification in Fluid Facilities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies struggle to accurately detect, locate, and quantify fluid leaks in facilities, leading to equipment failure, fluid loss, and operational disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing infrared image analysis to identify fluid leaks by detecting changes in pixel density values reflecting temperature changes, allowing for the localization and quantification of leaks through image processing and visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional leak detection methods are used, then the system is simple to operate, but the detection accuracy and reliability are insufficient leading to false positives and negatives
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the leak detection task into multiple specialized components: infrared image acquisition module, visible light image acquisition module, image processing module, and analysis module. Each component handles a specific aspect of the detection process, improving overall accuracy while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary image processing system that bridges the gap between simple detection methods and accurate leak identification. The processing module analyzes thermal patterns and compares them against known leak signatures, serving as a mediator that enhances detection accuracy without requiring complex hardware modifications
2Reliability
If comprehensive leak analysis is performed to reduce false positives, then the reliability improves, but the processing time and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing infrared images to enhance thermal contrast and pre-identifying potential leak regions before detailed analysis. This preliminary processing filters out obvious non-leak thermal patterns, reducing the computational burden of subsequent analysis and minimizing processing time while maintaining high reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters such as thermal threshold values, image processing filters, and analysis criteria dynamically based on environmental conditions and facility-specific characteristics. This allows the system to adapt to different scenarios, maintaining high reliability without requiring exhaustive analysis in all cases, thus reducing processing time
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
Enables confident detection, localization, and quantification of fluid leaks, reducing false positives and operational costs by providing accurate leak information for timely intervention.
Implementation Method 1
Infrared image information may be obtained. The infrared image information may define infrared images of a scene captured by an infrared camera
Implementation Method 2
A change in pixel density value within the portion of the infrared images captured before and after the fluid leak may be determined. The change in the pixel density value within the portion of the infrared images may reflect a change in temperature of an area of the scene
Data Source
AI summary
Infrared images of a fluid facility are captured to detect, localize, and quantify fluid leaks with confidence at the fluid facility. Changes in pixel values for a fluid leak, which reflect changes in temperature due to the fluid leak, are used to quantify the fluid leak. The location of the fluid leak is identified using the setup of the infrared camera and the fluid leak captured within the infrared images. A dispersion of the fluid leak is calculated and presented to show the path of the fluid leak.