Abstract
We have developed a portable gas imaging camera for identifying methane leaks in real-time. The camera uses active illumination from distributed feedback InGaAs laser diodes tuned to the 1653 nm methane absorption band. An InGaAs focal plane sensor array images the active illumination. The lasers are driven off resonance every alternate frame so that computer vision can extract the gas data. A colour image is captured simultaneously and the data is superimposed to guide the operator. Image stabilisation has been employed to allow detection with a moving camera, successfully imaging leaks from mains pressure gas supplies at a range of up to 3 m and flow rates as low as 0.05 L min-1.
Highlights
The ability to detect and locate invisible gases is extremely desirable in a wide range of applications
Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) based optical gas detection uses the back-scatter of laser light and time of flight measurements to image atmospheric methane over long ranges [12,13]
Our gas imaging camera consists of a body which contains the flat-field active illumination with on-board electronics, a short-wave infra-red (SWIR) focal plane array (FPA) sensor (Goldeye G-008) with a 25mm SWIR lens (Kowa LM25HC-SW), a colour webcam (Logitech c270) with a 4 mm c-mount lens, a micro-controller (Arduino Nano) for illumination modulation and a rechargeable lithium ion battery (Enix Energies MGL2806) with the necessary electronics to charge and supply power to the camera
Summary
The ability to detect and locate invisible gases is extremely desirable in a wide range of applications. Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) based optical gas detection uses the back-scatter of laser light and time of flight measurements to image atmospheric methane over long ranges [12,13] Such systems can be mounted on aircraft to allow the surveying of pipelines and whole industrial plants [14]. There is potential for a gas imaging system to see mass adoption in industry if it is suitable for short-range surveying work, and more efficient and cost effective than existing techniques With this in mind, the system needs to be easy to use and portable enough to be used by an operator without vehicular mounting in indoor and outdoor environments. Taking these factors into account a portable, real-time gas imaging camera was designed using active illumination
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