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CA2164029A1 - Infrared gas detection method and apparatus - Google Patents

Infrared gas detection method and apparatus

Info

Publication number
CA2164029A1
CA2164029A1 CA002164029A CA2164029A CA2164029A1 CA 2164029 A1 CA2164029 A1 CA 2164029A1 CA 002164029 A CA002164029 A CA 002164029A CA 2164029 A CA2164029 A CA 2164029A CA 2164029 A1 CA2164029 A1 CA 2164029A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
infrared
airborne platform
receiver
gases
transmitter
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002164029A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Horace Rekunyk
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA002164029A priority Critical patent/CA2164029A1/en
Priority to EP96938889A priority patent/EP0859931A1/en
Priority to AU76162/96A priority patent/AU7616296A/en
Priority to PCT/CA1996/000787 priority patent/WO1997020167A1/en
Publication of CA2164029A1 publication Critical patent/CA2164029A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01MTESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M3/00Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
    • G01M3/38Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using light
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01VGEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
    • G01V9/00Prospecting or detecting by methods not provided for in groups G01V1/00 - G01V8/00
    • G01V9/007Prospecting or detecting by methods not provided for in groups G01V1/00 - G01V8/00 by detecting gases or particles representative of underground layers at or near the surface

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geophysics (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)

Abstract

Method and apparatus for determining the presence and identify of predetermined gases in the atmosphere such as would be found if an oil and gas pipeline was subject to leakage. An infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver are each mounted on an airborne platform such as a fixed or rotary wing aircraft. As the airborne platform follows its flying program, the presence of gases is determined by the infrared transmitter and receiver and a data acquisition module mounted and operable therewith. The geographic position of the airborne platform is determined by a global positioning system so that the location of the predetermined gases in the atmosphere is known.

Description

216~029 INFR~RED GAS DETECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS

INTRODUCTION

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the measurement of hydrocarbon gases and vapours in ambient air and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for the measurement of hydrocarbon gases by way of infrared technology combined with an airborne platform.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of infrared technology to determine the presence or absence of hydrocarbons in ambient air is known. Such methods position the te~hnology adjacent the area of interest and the receiver and transmitter are fixed in place at the location. Such location may, for example, be near a pipeline which is carrying such gases or in a storage area where such gases are stored or transferred. The presence of such gases indicates leakage and steps can then be taken to remedy the situation.

The use of an airborne platform for mounting instrumentation is also known. Such instrumentation may utilize a locator device to determine the precise position of the platform relative to the ground and the instrumentation will provide information which is referenced to the known position. Typically, such instrumentation as cameras, thermal imaging and the like, 216~029 have been used on airborne platforms.

Infrared technology has, however, not been used on an airborne platform for pipeline surveillance and the use of such technology has many advantages. ~isual identification to identify pipeline leakage relies on an identification of dead vegetation to identify leak sources and is limited to the summer and areas with sufficient green vegetation during those periods.
Infrared thermographic evaluations compare temperature differences between an oil or gas leak compared to the environmental surro~n~;ngs. The technique requires relatively lengthy time periods to develop a thermographic image and does not work well in cold climates or in areas with a significant vegetation canopy. A flame ionization (FID) analyzer to evaluate ambient air for hydrocarbon gasesjvapours utilizes relatively small samples. Thus, if the aircraft is moving quickly, the sample may not be representative and the lag time until the same enters the FID analyzer is lengthy. Likewise, the flame ionization instrument requires compressed hydrogen gas in order to operate.
This presents a significant explosive and flammable hazard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an airborne platform, an infrared receiver and an infrared transmitter arranged in an open path 2l6~n2s configuration and mounted on said airborne platform, means to measure the quantity of predetermined gases present in the area between said infrared receiver and said infrared transmitter and means to correlate the measurement of said predetermined gases present between said infrared receiver and said infrared transmitter and the geographic location of said airborne platform.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of measuring predetermined gases present between an infrared receiver and an infrared transmitter, said method comprising emitting infrared radiation from said infrared transmitter, said infrared transmitter being located on an airborne platform, receiving a portion of said emitted radiation in said receiver from said transmitter located remotely from said infrared transmitter in an open path type configuration, determining the quantity of said predetermined gases present between said infrared transmitter and said infrared receiver, and correlating the measurement of said predetermined gases by said receiver and transmitter to said position of said airborne platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with the use of drawings in which: -2164~29 Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an open patent infrared detection system mounted on an airborne platform according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a flow through infrared detection system according to a further aspect of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT
The infrared sensor and locator t~hnology is generally illustrated at 10 in Figure 1. It comprises an infrared transmitter 11 and an infrared receiver 12, each of the receiver 12 and transmitter 11 being mounted on an airborne platform conveniently in the form of a helicopter 13. The transmitter 11 and receiver 12 could, for example, be mounted on the skids 16, 17 of the helicopter 13. The transmitter 11 and receiver 12 are positioned below the helicopter 13 and are located a certain distance apart in an open path configuration.
The spectrum which results from the transmitted infrared radiation is gathered in the infrared receiver 12 and passes to the data acquisition system 15. The spectrum reflects the identity of gases present between the transmitter 11 and receiver 12 and, if the gases present are known, the quantity of such gases present may also be determined.

The helicopter 13 also has a global positioning system ("GPS") 14 operably ro~n~cted to the data 2l64n2s acquisition system. Thus, as information is obtA; n~
from the receiver 12, the quantity of gases is correlated with the position of the airborne platform 13. Thus, the position of any contamination measured by the receiver 12 will be quickly known and other units can be dispatched to that location either to repair or to shut in the contaminated fuel supply.

An alternative or "flow through" infrared detection systems is illustrated in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the helicopter or airborne platform 20 includes a probe 21 which extends from the forward end of the helicopter 20. The probe 21 is typically of stainless steel and has an i.d. of approximately 1/2 inch. The gas (not illustrated) enters the open end of the probe 21 and passes to a flow through infrared analyzer 22 through inlet 23 . A data acquisition system 24 is operably connected to the infrared analyzer 22 and a GPS 25 is operably ~o~n~ted to the data acquisition system 24 so, as described earlier in connection with the open path infrared detection system, the geographic location of the airborne platform 20 together with the aircraft speed, time of day and altitude will be known according to the data obt~;ne~ by the data acquisition system 24 in the analyzer 22.

OPERATION

In operation, the helicopter 13 will be flown near an area where potential leakage of hydrocarbon gases is 216402g -present. The airborne platform, be it the helicopter 13 or a fixed wing aircraft (not illustrated) will typically be operated at a speed of 50 to 100 miles per hour and at an altitude of 100 to 200 feet. Such an area of operation would typically be an oil and gas pipeline and such gases could typically be hydrocarbon emissions due to leakage in the oil or gas pipelines.

The operation of the infrared transmitter 11 and infrared receiver 12 is initiated together with the data acquisition system and the global positioning system ("GPS") 15.

As the helicopter 13 proceeds down its assigned flying corridor, gases will be present in the atmosphere and the infrared detection system will be programmed so as only to respond to those gases which it is desired to detect. When such gases are detected, the quantity of such gases will be determined and this amount will then be stored in the data acquisition system 15 and correlated with the geographic position of the helicopter 13 as determined by the GPS 14.

When the helicopter 13 has reached the end of its route and has returned to its operating base, the information on the data acquisition system 15 will be downloaded and reviewed for any gases present and their amount. If such gases are detected and the amounts of such gases are of concern, remedial action can be taken to determine the source of the gas and how to reduce or terminate its presence.

The "open path" analyzer can constantly analyze a large representative sample of the gases present in the atmosphere. A same rate of approximately 3000 liters/second is contemplated. The "flow through"
analyzer illustrated in Figure 2 is a lower rate sampler, typically about 500 to 1000 cubic centimeters/min. Thus, the time lag is reduced and a more representative portion of the ambient air is taken in as compared with the flame ionization technique.

Many modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates. For example, rather than an airborne platform on a helicopter 13, the airborne platform could be mounted on a fixed wing aircraft (not illustrated). Likewise, will the primary area of application will be in the evaluation of hydrocarbon gases/vapours, the technology is also~0 applicable to detect other such gases as carbon dioxide, o~ ?noYide, sulphur dioxide, ammonia and the like.

Many modifications to the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates and the specific embodiments described should be taken as illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting its scope as defined in accordance with the accompanying claims.

Claims (11)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provited an airborne platform, an infrared receiver and an infrared transmitter arranged in an open path configuration and mounted on said airborne platform, means to measure the quantity of predetermined gases present in the area between said infrared receiver and said infrared transmitter and means to correlate the measurement of said predetermined gases present between said infrared receiver and said infrared transmitter and the geographic location of said airborne platform.
2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said geographic location of said airborne platform is determined by a global positioning system.
3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said airborne platform is a helicopter.
4. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said airborne platform is a fixed wing aircraft.
5. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said predetermined gases are hydrocarbon gases or vapours.
6. Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said predetermined gases include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and ammonia.
7. A method of measuring predetermined gases present between an infrared receiver and an infrared transmitter in an open path configuration, said method comprising emitting infrared radiation from said infrared transmitter, said infrared transmitter being located on an airborne platform, receiving a portion of said emitted radiation in said receiver from said transmitter located remotely from said infrared transmitter, determining the quantity of said predetermined gases present between said infrared transmitter and said infrared receiver, and correlating the measurement of said predetermined gases by said receiver and transmitter to said position of said airborne platform.
8. A method as in claim 7 wherein said predetermined gases are hydrocarbon gases.
9. A method as in claim 7 wherein said predetermined gases include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide and ammonia.
10. A method as in claim 7 wherein said airborne platform is a fixed or rotary wing aircraft.
11. A method as in claim 10 wherein said position of said airborne platform is obtained by a global positioning system.
CA002164029A 1995-11-29 1995-11-29 Infrared gas detection method and apparatus Abandoned CA2164029A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002164029A CA2164029A1 (en) 1995-11-29 1995-11-29 Infrared gas detection method and apparatus
EP96938889A EP0859931A1 (en) 1995-11-29 1996-11-29 Infrared gas detection method and apparatus
AU76162/96A AU7616296A (en) 1995-11-29 1996-11-29 Infrared gas detection method and apparatus
PCT/CA1996/000787 WO1997020167A1 (en) 1995-11-29 1996-11-29 Infrared gas detection method and apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002164029A CA2164029A1 (en) 1995-11-29 1995-11-29 Infrared gas detection method and apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2164029A1 true CA2164029A1 (en) 1997-05-30

Family

ID=4157056

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002164029A Abandoned CA2164029A1 (en) 1995-11-29 1995-11-29 Infrared gas detection method and apparatus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2164029A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112001341A (en) * 2020-08-27 2020-11-27 深圳前海微众银行股份有限公司 Vegetation identification method, device, equipment and readable storage medium
CN116930113A (en) * 2023-08-01 2023-10-24 江苏省环境科学研究院 An atmospheric detection system and method

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112001341A (en) * 2020-08-27 2020-11-27 深圳前海微众银行股份有限公司 Vegetation identification method, device, equipment and readable storage medium
CN116930113A (en) * 2023-08-01 2023-10-24 江苏省环境科学研究院 An atmospheric detection system and method
CN116930113B (en) * 2023-08-01 2024-01-30 江苏省环境科学研究院 Atmospheric detection system and method

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Discontinued

Effective date: 20011129

FZDE Discontinued

Effective date: 20011129