Low-cost lightweight airborne laser-based sensors for pipeline leak detection and reporting

Michael B. Frish; Richard T. Wainner; Matthew C. Laderer; Mark G. Allen; James Rutherford; Paul Wehnert; Sean Dey; John Gilchrist; Ron Corbi; Daniele Picciaia; Paolo Andreussi; David Furry

doi:10.1117/12.2015813

29 May 2013 Low-cost lightweight airborne laser-based sensors for pipeline leak detection and reporting

Michael B. Frish, Richard T. Wainner, Matthew C. Laderer, Mark G. Allen, James Rutherford, Paul Wehnert, Sean Dey, John Gilchrist, Ron Corbi, Daniele Picciaia, Paolo Andreussi, David Furry

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8726, Next-Generation Spectroscopic Technologies VI; 87260C (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2015813
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2013, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Abstract

Laser sensing enables aerial detection of natural gas pipeline leaks without need to fly through a hazardous gas plume. This paper describes adaptations of commercial laser-based methane sensing technology that provide relatively low-cost lightweight and battery-powered aerial leak sensors. The underlying technology is near-infrared Standoff Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (sTDLAS). In one configuration, currently in commercial operation for pipeline surveillance, sTDLAS is combined with automated data reduction, alerting, navigation, and video imagery, integrated into a single-engine single-pilot light fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter platform. In a novel configuration for mapping landfill methane emissions, a miniaturized ultra-lightweight sTDLAS sensor flies aboard a small quad-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

Citation Download Citation

Michael B. Frish, Richard T. Wainner, Matthew C. Laderer, Mark G. Allen, James Rutherford, Paul Wehnert, Sean Dey, John Gilchrist, Ron Corbi, Daniele Picciaia, Paolo Andreussi, and David Furry "Low-cost lightweight airborne laser-based sensors for pipeline leak detection and reporting", Proc. SPIE 8726, Next-Generation Spectroscopic Technologies VI, 87260C (29 May 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2015813

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