Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Low Cost Imager for Pollutant Gas Leak Detection
EPA Contract Number: EPD09041Title: Low Cost Imager for Pollutant Gas Leak Detection
Investigators: Zhang, Lei
Small Business: Agiltron Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: March 1, 2009 through February 28, 2011
Project Amount: $225,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (2009) Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Air Pollution , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
The purpose of this Phase II program is to develop an inexpensive imaging instrument to locate leaks of methane quickly and reduce the cost and effort expended by industry to comply with EPA regulations.Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Based on the findings in the Phase I program, Agiltron began its work by identifying the components for the low-cost methane leak detection imager development. The device consists of a dual camera format with one long-wave infrared (LWIR) thermal camera and one visible camera. A special image processing algorithm was developed for extracting the methane signal automatically and marking its position on the visible image for easy leak identification.
A major effort has been placed on the development of the image processing algorithm, which now is in its 4th version. Indoor and outdoor experiments have been conducted for evaluation of and feedback for improving the device performances. The indoor experiments are performed inside a hood environment with active venting where the background temperature is controlled by a blackbody and the air flow is simulated with a fan. The experiment results have been compared to the theoretical analysis results, which suggest the operation range can be extended to -18°C with an optimized IR lens. A methane leak over a half hour period with a leak rate as small as 3 scfh has been successfully identified.
Conclusions:
Agiltron has successfully developed and tested a prototype of the smart methane detection system, which has the ability to automatically identify methane leaks with a leak ratio as small as 3 scfh. The system consists of a low cost LWIR thermal camera with a narrow band-filter, a visible camera, and the special developed image processing algorithm for leak signal identification. The estimated cost for large volume is $4K per end user cost compared to $70-100K for currently available solutions.Supplemental Keywords:
low cost, cost effective, smart, methane detection, thermal imaging, gas leak detection
SBIR Phase I:
Low Cost Imager for Pollutant Gas Leak Detection | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.