Mobile Gas Leak Localization Using Robotic Triangulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in accurately detecting, mapping, localizing, and quantifying gas leaks from hydrocarbon facilities in real-time, which hinders effective emission reduction and poses safety and economic risks.

Innovation Solution

A robotic system equipped with a mobile platform, a gas payload suite including gas emissions detection sensors, and a navigation sensors suite, along with a control system that identifies gas emissions, determines their location, and moves the platform to triangulate the emissions, enhancing detection accuracy and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional gas detection methods are used, then detection coverage is limited, but detection precision and real-time capability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/manual gas detection methods with an autonomous robotic system that integrates multiple sensor suites (gas emissions detection, navigation, motion control) and intelligent algorithms for automated leak detection, localization, and quantification, achieving higher precision without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system integrates multiple functional modules including gas emissions detection sensor suite, navigation sensor suite, motion controller, and control system into a single platform that can simultaneously perform detection, localization, navigation, and data analysis, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive detection capability and system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If manual detection methods are used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but detection speed and response time are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection speedVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system operates autonomously with self-navigation capabilities using navigation sensor suites (GPS, inertial sensors, LiDAR) and self decision-making through the control system that processes sensor data and automatically controls motion to locate and quantify gas leaks, achieving high detection speed without requiring continuous human operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning the robotic platform, pre-configuring sensor suites for specific detection tasks, and pre-programming navigation paths to hydrocarbon facilities, enabling rapid response when gas leaks are detected without delaying for manual setup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If frequent surveys are conducted, then real-time detection capability is improved, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time detection capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system implements periodic survey operations where it autonomously navigates to predetermined locations, performs gas detection at scheduled intervals, and returns to base for data processing and recharging, enabling reliable real-time detection capability while managing energy consumption through structured periodic operations rather than continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous useful action by operating multiple sensor suites simultaneously (gas detection, navigation, environmental sensing) and continuously processing data to track gas emissions in real-time, ensuring reliable detection capability is maintained throughout the survey period without idle time while optimizing energy use through efficient multi-tasking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 robotic system enables precise detection, localization, and quantification of gas emissions, facilitating timely intervention to reduce leaks, thereby improving safety and economic outcomes while enhancing detection accuracy and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

at least one tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption Spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

at least one LiDAR sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Detection and Ranging: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentUS20250035502A1Robotic systems and methods for determining hydrocarbon emissions

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A robotic system includes a mobile platform; a gas payload suite mounted on the platform and including at least one gas emissions detection sensor; a navigation sensors suite mounted on the platform and including at least one navigation sensor; and a control system communicably coupled to the gas payload suite and the navigation sensor suite and configured to perform operations including identifying gas emissions measurements from the at least one gas emissions detection sensor, determining a location of gas emissions based at least in part on the identified gas emissions measurements, and operating a motion controller to move the mobile platform relative to the determined location of the gas emissions.