# Presentation: 576239

## Emerging TechnologyOptical Imaging Leak Detection

**Murphy Exploration and Production,**
** ****Gulf Coast Environmental Affairs Group, **
**American Petroleum Institute and**
**EPA’s Natural Gas STAR Program**
**June 19, 2003**

** **

## Optical Imaging Technology

- Optical Imaging Technology for DI&M
- IR BAGI Camera
- IMSS IR Camera
- Motion pictures of BAGI leak detections

## Optical Imaging Technology for DI&M

- Class of technologies that use principles of infrared light and optics to create an image of chemical emission plumes
- Offer more cost-effective use of resources (labor, equipment etc.)
- Screen hundreds of components an hour
- Quicker identification & repair of leaks

## Technologies for Methane Detection

- Two technologies currently in development
- Backscatter Absorption Gas Imaging* *(BAGI)
- Viewing area illuminated with IR laser light
- IR camera images reflected laser light
- Gas cloud absorbs the IR light (negative image)
- Image Multi-Spectral Sensing (IMSS)
- IR camera acquires image in full light spectrum
- Optics separate and recombine selected spectrum emitted by chosen chemicals to create an image
- Computer processes into a false-color image of emission plume superimposed on visible image

## IR BAGI Camera

- Developed by Sandia National Laboratory
- Real-time instantaneous detection
- No quantification of detected leaks yet
- Does not differentiate chemical species
- Tuned to optimum wavelength absorbed by chemical species

## Backscatter Absorption Gas Imaging (BAGI) Process

- Incident IR laser light reflects off background & returns to camera
- IR camera creates black & white image of equipment
- Chemical plume absorbs IR light creating a negative image
- Leak plume appears as a black, smoky image in BAGI camera

## IR BAGI Camera, cont.

- Portable
- Camera ~20 pounds
- Shoulder- or tripod-mounted operation
- Size of a shoulder-mounted TV camera
- DC or AC Power
- Rechargeable battery back-pack ~12 pounds
- Camera viewer and tape recording toggle between IR and visible light

## BAGI Demonstrations

- Joint Government – Industry Test Initiative, 1999 - present
- Laboratory Testing
- Chemical Plants
- Refineries
- EPA, DOE, Texas Environmental Agencies, API and petroleum companies

## Leak Detected w/BAGI Camera

**Hydrocarbon  plume**

**Flange**

**Visible light view of leaking flange**

**Infrared view of leaking flange**

**Leaking flange**

**Leak Detected w/BAGI Camera**

## IMSS  IR Camera

- Developed by Pacific Advanced Technology (PAT)
- Based on principle of diffractive optics
- Consists of:
- IR Camera
- Patented IMSS Lens
- Internal PC with algorithms to process images

- PAT Sherlock Camera – Pre-production Model

## IMSS  IR Camera, cont.

- Does not quantify leaks yet
- Can differentiate chemical species
- Battery operated
- Portable
- 12 lb (including battery)
- 12” x 6” x 8”

- IMSS on Radiance 1 Infrared Camera in Oil Refinery (Precursor to PAT Sherlock Camera)

## IMSS  IR Camera, cont.

- Camera acquires image of component of interest
- No background required
- Image processed in PC
- Results presented
- Leak shown in false-color overlay
- Sherlock Camera with real-time image processing currently being tested

- Methane Gas Leaking from Simulated Roof Vent.  Detected with IMSS and Radiance 1 Infrared Camera

## IMSS IR Demonstrations

- Demonstrations at:
- Off shore oil platform
- Refinery
- Oil & gas processing plants
- Airborne platform
- Laboratory performance testing

## Contact Information

**BAGI IR Camera**
- Sandia National Laboratories
**Tom Kulp ****(tjkulp@sandia.gov)**
**Optics**
- Laser Imaging Systems
**Tom McRae**
**(tom.mcrae@laserimagingsystems.com)**

**IMSS IR Camera**
- Pacific Advanced  Technology
**Bob Hinnrichs**
**    ****(bob@patinc.com)**

## Contributions by Many

**API Member Company Representatives**
- Technical review and project planning
**API Staff**
- Funding of studies, coordination of regulatory activities
**Department of Energy-Office of Fossil Fuels**
- Funding fiber laser development at Sandia Labs
**Department of Energy-Office of Industrial Technology**
- Funding fiber laser development at Sandia Labs
**EPA-National Enforcement and Investigation Center**
- Looking for reliable alternative to Method 21
**EPA-Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards**
- Responsible for preparing regulatory change documentation

## Contributions by Many

**National Advisory Committee on Environmental Policy and Technology**
- EPA advisory group that funded early analyses
**Laser Imaging Systems, Inc.**
- Holds patent on scanner used in fiber laser
**Sandia National Laboratory**
- Development of fiber laser, has several patent applications, leading discussions with vendors for commercialization
**ICF Consulting**
- Protocols, data analysis, reporting, QA/QC, funded by EPA and API
**URS Radian**
- Performed bagging emissions quantification during field tests
**Texas Council on Environmental Technologies**
- Funding additional testing of alternative imaging technologies