IR camera shows gas leaks in real time
A
Flir Systems product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
May 30, 2006
The ThermaCAM GasFindIR infra-red camera can scan more than 3000 process connections per hour and over 24,000 per shift.
Whereas a typical "sniffer" gas detector will indicate the presence of a volatile organic gas emission, Flir Systems' GasFindIR infra-red camera actually shows the leakage point or points in real time.
This is a major development both from a safety and environmental point of view and will greatly benefit a range of sectors from petrochemical to landfill.
Typically the ThermaCAM GasFindIR infra-red camera can scan more than 3000 process connections per hour and over 24,000 per shift.
It can detect small leaks from several metres away and big leaks from hundreds of metres away.
It can even show leaks on moving transport vehicles.
In addition to making VOC leaks visible, thermal imaging offers significant benefits over existing tools and technologies.
It's able to scan large areas quickly, greatly increasing inspection speed and improving overall plant safety.
Easy to use and nonhazardous, it can also be employed without stopping any operation or process.
Research has found that an incredible 90% of all gas escapes in a typical refinery are from just 0.1% of failed components so the ability of the infra-red camera to "see" leaks in a single scan is a potent reason for its development.
It can be used to scan entire petrochemical facilities, miles of pipelines, transfer stations and tankers.
ThermaCAM GasFindIR is also ideal for monitoring gas emissions, such as methane and other volatile and toxic chemicals, from landfill sites.
In fact the camera can detect a wide range of hydrocarbon gases.
At the heart of the ThermaCAM GasFindIR infra-red camera is an optimised, narrow band cold filter whose spectrum has been specially selected to detect these gases.
Due to their absorption characteristics, the gas leaks appear as black smoke on the camera's screen.
The camera's video output allows the inspection to be recorded for easy documentation or e-mailing.
This infra-red camera is designed specifically for operation in harsh environments and in a wide temperature range from -15 to +50C.
It has an industrial shock rating of 40G and can detect gas levels down to 5g/h.
A scan rate of 50Hz or 50 frames per second allows the efficient inspection of pipelines from a moving vehicle without danger of image distortion; a 25m lens is standard with the camera.
Weighing under 2.3kg the ThermaCAM GasFindIR has an InSb, 320 x 240 focal plane array detector and a thermal sensitivity rating of 100mK.
Its controls are exceptionally easy to use.
Auto-level capabilities are provided for optimal clarity and images can be viewed on the built-in colour viewfinder or on the LCD screen of the video recorder.
Rechargeable batteries provide over two hours of continuous use.
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