Title: Gas-mapping 3D imager measurement techniques and method of data processing

Abstract

Measurement approaches and data analysis methods are disclosed for combining 3D topographic data with spatially-registered gas concentration data to increase the efficiency of gas monitoring and leak detection tasks. Here, the metric for efficiency is defined as reducing the measurement time required to achieve the detection, or non-detection, of a gas leak with a desired confidence level. Methods are presented for localizing and quantifying detected gas leaks. Particular attention is paid to the combination of 3D spatial data with path-integrated gas concentration measurements acquired using remote gas sensing technologies, as this data can be used to determine the path-averaged gas concentration between the sensor and points in the measurement scene. Path-averaged gas concentration data is useful for finding and quantifying localized regions of elevated (or anomalous) gas concentration making it ideal for a variety of applications including: oil and gas pipeline monitoring, facility leak and emissions monitoring, and environmental monitoring.

Inventors:

Thorpe, Michael; Kreitinger, Aaron; Crouch, Stephen

Issue Date:

2020-01-07

Research Org.:

Bridger Photonics, Inc., Bozeman, MT (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1632408

Patent Number(s):

10527412

Application Number:

15/285,787

Assignee:

Bridger Photonics, Inc. (Bozeman, MT)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01P - MEASURING LINEAR OR ANGULAR SPEED, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, OR SHOCK

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Show more

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01P - MEASURING LINEAR OR ANGULAR SPEED, ACCELERATION, DECELERATION, OR SHOCK

G01P5/00 - Measuring speed of fluids, e.g. of air stream

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G01N21/39 - using tunable lasers

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01C - MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS

G01C15/00 - Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G01N21/53 - within a flowing fluid, e.g. smoke
G01N2021/1795 - {Atmospheric mapping of gases}
G01N2021/1793 - {Remote sensing}

G - PHYSICS G06 - COMPUTING G06K - RECOGNITION OF DATA

G06K9/00201 - {Recognising three-dimensional objects, e.g. using range or tactile information

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01M - TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES

G01M3/28 - for pipes, cables or tubes

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01B - MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS

G01B21/20 - for measuring contours or curvatures, e.g. determining profile

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01M - TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES

G01M3/38 - by using light

Show less

DOE Contract Number:  

AR0000544

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 10/05/2016

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English