remote methane leak detector rmld vs. flame ionization paul d. wehnert nysearch

Remote Methane Leak DetectorRemote Methane Leak DetectorRMLD vs. Flame IonizationRMLD vs. Flame Ionization

Paul D. Wehnert Paul D. Wehnert www.heathus.comwww.heathus.com

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Innovation WinnerInnovation Winner

RMLD Key RequirementsRMLD Key Requirements

• Remotely detect methane up to 100’ away

• Portable, lightweight and rugged

• As effective as existing leak survey tools & methods

• Not intended to be a leak pinpointing or measurement tool (CGI)

• Specific to detect methane gas only

RMLD Operates Differently RMLD Operates Differently Than FIThan FI

• Remotely detects gas everywhere within the laser path length

• Measures PPM-Meter not PPM - PPM-Meter reading is concentration x

plume width

• Use of scanning techniques to detect and localize leaks

RMLD Verses FIRMLD Verses FIRMLD FI

DETECTION METHOD Tunable diode Laser Absorption SpectroscopySelective to Methane

Flame IonizationNon – selective hydrocarbon detector

MEASUREMENT RANGE

0 TO 99, 999 PPM –M 0 TO 10,000 PPM

SENSITIVITY 5 PPM-M @ distance from 0 to 50 ft.10 PPM-M or better @ distance from 50 to 100 ft.

2 to 50 PPM depending on model and type

DETECTION DISTANCE 100 ft. nominal. Actual distance may vary due to background type and conditions. Detects line of sight. Scanning technique

Probe technique - must be within the plume. Detects locally.

DETECTION ALARM MODES

Advanced detection signal processing method

Simple threshold alarm

RMLD Verses FI (Cont’d)RMLD Verses FI (Cont’d)RMLD FI

SELF-TEST & CALIBRATION

Built in Self-Test & Calibration verifies operation and adjusts laser wavelength for maximum sensitivity. Test cell integrated with carrying case.

Requires operator to use complex configuration of gas bottles and regulators.

POWER SOURCE Internal Battery Pack Hydrogen gas and internal battery

SAFETY IR Detector Laser: Class IGreen Spotter Laser: Class IIIa; do not stare into beam or view directly with optical instruments. Safer to use in traffic to survey gas lines remotely.

Requires the proper use and storage of highly flammable hydrogen gas.

Need to get in traffic lanes to survey gas lines, valves, etc.

RMLD FI

DISPLAY Large easy to read backlit LCD (.75” numeric)

Analog meter

OPERATING TEMPERATURE

0 TO +120 Degree “F” (-17 to 50 “C”)

0 to + 120 Degree “F” (-17 to 50 “C”)

HUMIDITY 5 to 95 % RH, non-condensing

5 to 95 % RH, non - condensing

ENCLOSURE IP 54 (water splash & Dust Resistant)

IP 54 (water splash & Dust Resistant)

OPERATING TIME 8 hours at 32 Degree “F” with out backlight on (internal battery)

3 hours before recharge of hydrogen bottle

RMLD Verses FI (Cont’d)RMLD Verses FI (Cont’d)

RMLD ConceptRMLD Concept

Do not need to be in gas plume!

Three Conditions Needed To Detect A LeakThree Conditions Needed To Detect A Leak• Need a sufficient plume to detect a leak

• The IR beam must pass through the plume

• Need a background target to reflect beam

Based On TDLAS Technology Based On TDLAS Technology • Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy

(TDLAS)- Every gas absorbs specific wavelengths

(frequencies) of light- The RMLD laser beam emits a specific wavelength

which is absorbed by methane- The amount of laser light absorbed is proportional to

the total amount of gas in the path of the laser beam- Concentration is then expressed as parts-per-million-

metered, or “ppm-m”. Concentration times plume width.

Technical ApproachTechnical Approach• Laser light beam is remotely projected on to a target (e.g., grass, wall,

etc.)• A fraction of the beam is scattered from the target surface and returned

to the source• Returned light is collected and focused onto a detector• The presence of methane is encoded within the returned light• Methane readings are displayed in ppm-m

DetectorLaser

Direct Sun and AmbientLight Adds DetectedBackground Photons

Light Becomes Electricity

Methane Leak

Topographic Backscatter ofLaser Light and BackgroundLight Collected by Receiver

Instrument DesignInstrument Design

RMLD PartsRMLD Parts

Complete Kit

The RMLD kit includes:

Control Module

Calibration Cell

Transceiver

Ear Piece Charger

Carrying Strap

External Battery(Optional)

Control Module - FrontControl Module - Front

Control Module – Rear PanelControl Module – Rear Panel

Internal BatteryInternal Battery

• Rechargeable Li-ion battery

• Life – 2 to 3 years• Charge last 8 hrs. @

32 deg. F• Cold weather and

constant use of spotter can drain battery faster

Volume LevelVolume Level

VOLVOL• Press up button to increase the volume level.• Press down button to decrease the volume level.

Spotter Enabling And Spotter Enabling And DisablingDisabling

SPOSPO• Press up button to enable or disable the spotter laser.

Alarm Detection ThresholdAlarm Detection Threshold

ALAL• Press Up button to increase the Alarm detection threshold.• Press Down button to decrease the Alarm detection threshold.

Higher threshold = Less sensitivity

Display BacklightDisplay Backlight

BACLIBACLI• Press Up button to turn on or to turn off the • display backlight.

DMD ModeDMD Mode

• To turn on the DMD mode, press the DMD button.• The DMD icon is displayed, as shown.

Note: You must be on the “run screen” to activate or de-activate DMD mode.

Two Detection ModesTwo Detection ModesDMD (Digital Methane Detection) Mode

• Used in most survey situations.• Silent until methane is detected.• Higher the tone, the higher the methane

concentration.

Pure Tones Mode• Continuous tone relative to methane

concentration levels.• Most effective up close to help verify low level

detections.

RMLD Overview: RMLD Overview: Parts and Functions Parts and Functions

Transceiver

Transceiver24

Green Spotter Laser * (approx 3” above IR laser)

Infrared (IR) Detector Laser(invisible beam)

Spotter Trigger Switch

*Caution: Don’t stare into beam or view directly with optical instruments.

Sighting Marking

Fiber Opticinside Cord

Laser SafetyLaser Safety• Infra-red Detector Laser

- Class I- Always on when instrument is on. This laser is

invisible.

• Green Spotter Laser- Class IIIa- Under the control of the operator- Same rating as pointer lasers commonly sold in

stores and used for business presentations- Safe when handled properly

Survey Techniques – Keep Survey Techniques – Keep Beam In Front Of You: 15 – 20 Beam In Front Of You: 15 – 20

FeetFeet

Greater Scanning Ability To Cover A Wide Area If Greater Scanning Ability To Cover A Wide Area If Meter / Service Is UnknownMeter / Service Is Unknown

RRMLDMLD Benefits To The Customer, Benefits To The Customer, Employee And CompanyEmployee And Company

• Less intrusion on property• Better customer relations• Help employee perform their job more

efficiently• Reduce cost and increase productivity

BenefitsBenefits

Reduce survey challenges:

• Dogs• Landscaping• Uncooperative Customers• Natural Disasters – Earth-

Quakes, Hurricanes, Floods

• Backyard main/services.

• Over or through fences / no access

• Enclosed Regulator stations

BenefitsBenefits

Reduce Survey challenges:

• Perform most surveys without physically walking service lines.

• Can scan both sides of the street.

• Safer to inspect busy street and intersections.

BenefitsBenefits

Compressor Stations:

• Quicker and more efficient inspection of multiple exposed piping in a stations yard.

BenefitsBenefits

BenefitsBenefits

More efficient survey of pipelines on bridges and overpasses

• Able to remotely check inside buildings or confined spaces for presence of methane.

• Intrinsic Safety

BenefitsBenefits

Benefits – Emergency SituationsBenefits – Emergency Situations

Benefits – Emergency SituationsBenefits – Emergency Situations

BenefitsBenefits

BenefitsBenefits

Benefits Benefits

• Wider area of search due to sweeping of the beam- Significant advantage to detect leaks away from

the pipe Scanning technique verses probing technique

• Productivity savings 20% to 40% for most utilities

• Rapid warm-up• Built in self test and calibration

- Verifies operation and adjusts laser wavelength for maximum sensitivity

Questions?Questions?