ENV-07-131 Infrared Spectroscopy and SMARTIR Optical Monitoring System for the Method 21 Alternative

Description:

Imaging spectrometers use infrared radiation to detect common hydrocarbons. The infrared spectrum is vital to this technique for the fact that many of these hydrocarbons absorb infrared radiation along common wavelengths. First generation spectrometers operate in the 3-5um band, showing leaks as plumes of smoke on an infrared video feed. This comes at a price as the 3-5um band does not provide ample data to identify individual gases and gas compounds. Imaging spectroscopy graduated to the 6-14um band-width provides enough data to detect the variant spectral signatures of most compounds. Using the long-wave over the mid-wave has numerous advantages in the field including compound identification with no additional effort. This infrared spectroscopy technology is incorporated into the SMARTIR™ camera which, using a patented interface, can wirelessly transmit data to the Leaders™ Software System for storage. The Leaders™ system promotes effective field inspections by grouping existing route sequences into Observation Points. An observation point is one or more readily identifiable pieces of equipment. Using a Windows CE based Pocket PC, observation points are synchronized within the Leaders™ database. Observation points in the Pocket PC display all tags that require monitoring. Using the data stored in the Pocket PC the technician team inspects each observation point using the SmartIR™ camera. Each tag is monitored using the camera and the Pocket PC captures the video and data wirelessly. The video and data are stored with each piece of equipment ensuring that all work is completed per regulations.