Integrating Technology to Help Identify Dangerous Gas and Vapor Leaks

Editor’s Note: Our sister blog aimed at the oil and gas industry recently published an article about new technology that combines toxic vapor analyzers (TVAs) that are able to detect gas leaks, with an optical gas imaging (OGI) camera, which is a specialized infrared camera that detects and visualizes gas leaks. Here’s a summary of that article.

The oil and gas industry is subject to strict regulatory compliance, necessitating routine inspections and maintenance, particularly through Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for many facilities. Toxic vapor analyzers (TVAs) detect gas leaks, and their effectiveness is enhanced by optical gas imaging (OGI) cameras, specialized infrared devices that visualize gas leaks.

The Danger of Gas and Vapor Leaks

Fugitive emissions, unintended leaks of gases or vapors from pressurized industrial equipment, pose significant risks to workers, communities, and the environment. These emissions can occur throughout the gas’s journey from the well to the customer, with valves and connectors being major sources of leaks in the U.S., according to the EPA.

Natural gas travels through a complex network of transmission pipelines that require regular monitoring to prevent leaks and faults. Offshore drilling rigs, dealing with volatile substances under extreme conditions, also need consistent oversight to mitigate potential disasters. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, which handle and transport LNG, require early leak detection to avoid major incidents and ensure safety.

Technology to Help Reduce Harm

In oil refineries, gas leak detection cameras enable quick and safe identification of fugitive emissions, facilitating prompt repairs and helping to prevent significant damage and regulatory fines.

Combining TVAs with OGI cameras offers a powerful solution for routine inspections, maintenance, and regulatory compliance. This technology partnership allows operators to detect and quantify leaks more efficiently, aligning with global environmental regulations. OGIs can identify and quantify methane and over 400 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Enhanced with thermographic imaging, these devices provide temperature measurement and color palettes, while wireless capabilities support seamless data transmission, remote operation, and real-time results sharing.

This integration of TVAs and OGI cameras provides the oil and gas industry with an advanced solution for leak detection and quantification, improving efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance, contributing to a safer environment for all.

You can read the full article here: How to Better Detect Methane, CO, CO₂, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Leaks