Integrated Optical Gas Imaging Camera for Fugitive Emission Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in efficiently detecting and reporting fugitive emissions, particularly due to stringent regulatory requirements that demand more accurate and repeatable methods for identifying and documenting leaks in industries such as oil and gas and chemicals.
Innovation Solution
An optical gas imaging camera system that integrates a mid-wave infra-red (MWIR) camera, a visible light camera, a system on module (SOM), LIDAR sensor, temperature sensor, inertial measurement unit (IMU), and geographic position device, enabling the capture of infrared and visible light images along with associated data such as distance, temperature, pose, and geographic position, which are then encoded and transmitted for compliance auditing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional leak detection methods are used, then the detection process is simple, but the measurement precision and reliability required by stringent regulatory standards cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (MWIR camera, visible light camera, LIDAR, temperature sensor, IMU, GPS) into a single integrated camera system. This merging of previously separate detection devices into one unified system enables simultaneous capture of infrared thermal data, visible light images, distance measurements, temperature, orientation, and location information, thereby achieving the measurement precision required by regulatory standards while managing device complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated camera system performs multiple functions simultaneously: detecting fugitive emissions via MWIR, capturing reference images via visible light camera, measuring distance via LIDAR, recording temperature via temperature sensor, determining orientation via IMU, and locating position via GPS. This multi-functionality allows a single device to meet comprehensive regulatory requirements for leak detection and repair (LDAR) reporting.
2Reliability
If comprehensive data collection is implemented to meet regulatory requirements, then the reliability and auditability of detection data improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data collection functions into a single integrated system that automatically captures and associates infrared images, visible light images, distance data, temperature, pose orientation, and geographic position. This integration ensures that all required data elements are collected together in a consistent manner, improving the reliability and auditability of detection records while managing complexity through unified hardware and software architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates reference image comparison where captured visible light images are compared against stored reference images to verify proper positioning and identification of target objects. This feedback mechanism ensures that detection data meets regulatory requirements for accurate identification and documentation, thereby improving reliability through automated verification.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and data collection components are integrated, then the measurement precision and data completeness improve, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated camera system automatically captures, processes, and associates data from all sensors (MWIR camera, visible light camera, LIDAR, temperature sensor, IMU, GPS) without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the complex coordination of multiple data streams, automatically generates compliant detection records, and stores or transmits the complete data package, thereby maintaining measurement precision while simplifying user operation to basic camera control.
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 enhances the efficiency and accuracy of fugitive emissions detection by providing a comprehensive data package that is compliant with regulatory standards, allowing for repeatable and auditable fugitive emission detection data, thereby reducing the need for personnel in hazardous areas and improving safety and compliance.
Implementation Method 1
a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor contained in the housing and configured to i) determine a distance between the target object and the optical gas imaging camera
Implementation Method 2
a mid-wave infra-red (MWIR) camera contained in the housing and connected to the digital encoder, wherein the MWIR camera is configured to output a captured infrared image of a target object
Implementation Method 3
a visible light camera contained in the housing and connected to the digital encoder, wherein the visible light camera is configured to output a captured visible light image of the target object
Data Source
AI summary
An optical gas imaging camera, methods of operating the optical gas imaging camera in a learning mode and in an operating mode, and a compliance auditing system are disclosed, where the optical gas imaging camera has on-board hardware, devices, and software used for generating images of fugitive emissions of a target object along with generating a multitude of other information associated with the time of generating images of the target object, which is all combined into compliance data that can be stored on-board the optical gas imaging camera or transmitted to a central computer in the auditing system. The compliance data is stored and can be retrieved to add additional information such as repair of a fugitive emission or for compliance auditing purposes.