Grantee Research Project Results

Final Report: AGCS Sensor for Gas Leak Detection

EPA Contract Number: 68D00256
Title: AGCS Sensor for Gas Leak Detection
Investigators: Nelson, Loren D.
Small Business: OPHIR Corporation
EPA Contact:
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 2000 through March 1, 2001
Project Amount: $69,958
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2000) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , SBIR - Monitoring , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

Description:

OPHIR's EPA Phase I research has been very successful. All tasks identified in the Phase I proposal have been met and exceeded. In fact, the results of our Phase I modeling and trade studies indicate that the OPHIR's proposed technology exceeds our expectations for sensitivity and detection range. As such, this technology holds great promise for meeting the needs of several applications within the natural gas industry.

Through development of a long-range lidar for oil and gas exploration, OPHIR Corporation has identified the need for a short-range, remote sensor for detection of natural gas leaks. The goal is the development of an inexpensive surveying sensor for use in areas of high leak potential such as pipelines, distribution lines, storage tanks and reservoirs, compressor stations, etc. A
sensor with remote detection capability, especially one that would allow checks of residential service lines from a vehicle moving down the street, would be a significant improvement. This improvement would be in the form of reduced labor costs resulting from a more rapid surveying capability. A critical limitation of the current natural gas leak detection sensors is frequent false alarms. This is a direct result of the current technology's inability to detect only natural gas, rather than all combustible gases. Currently, the natural gas industry wastes a substantial amount of effort and cost investigating these false alarms.

Thus, this project is focused on developing a low-cost, remote sensing system to detect only methane and ethane (the two primary constituents of natural gas). This system will provide a significant cost savings to the natural gas industry by reducing the time and effort required to find natural gas leaks and by eliminating efforts to investigate false alarms. In addition, this technology will reduce the atmospheric emission of methane, a significant greenhouse gas.

Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):

The EPA Phase I research focused on "proving the concept" of an optical remote-sensing system for detecting methane and ethane from a remote distance. The Phase I goal was to achieve a 10 meter range. However, the Phase I research was much more successful than this goal. The Phase I prototype was demonstrated at a range of approximately 921 meters (over 3000 feet).

The proof of concept effort began with the development of an extensive mathematical model of the radiometric process. This theoretical model incorporated the performance characteristics of the illumination source, the beam delivery and collection optics, the detector performance specifications, spectral interference from varying amounts of atmospheric water vapor, and the
characteristics of the detection electronics. This model was used to develop optimal Phase I prototype hardware performance specifications. Once established, hardware was procured to fabricate a working prototype. Laboratory and field proof of concept testing was then successfully performed. Finally, OPHIR and Foresight Science & Technology, Inc. carried out an extensive investigation into the commercialization potential.

Conclusions:

The Phase I research has successfully demonstrated that an AGCS sensor can be developed for remote sensing of natural gas leaks. Moreover, the technique can achieve ranges nearly 100 times greater than the Phase I goal, significantly improving its utility to the natural gas industry. This effort focuses on detecting natural gas (methane and ethane). However, many trace gases
can be detected, providing an adaptable and sensitive leak detection sensor for chemical production facilities.

Supplemental Keywords:

Natural gas leak detection, optical remote sensing., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Toxics, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Chemical Engineering, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, HAPS, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Monitoring/Modeling, Civil Engineering, Environmental Monitoring, Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Ecological Indicators, monitoring, remote sensing, active gas correlation spectrometer (AGCS), optical indicators, continuous monitoring, detect, gas leak, detection system, methane, optical detectors, carbon dioxide, optical detection, spectroscopic, sensor