Handheld camera detects fugitive vapor leaks
FLIR Systems
The FLIR GF620 (photo) is a high-definition, handheld optical-gas-imaging (OGI) camera that is designed to help oil-and-gas industry professionals detect invisible leaks of hydrocarbons, such as methane and common volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Equipped with a 640-by-480 pixel infrared detector, the camera is calibrated to measure temperature, allowing the user to assess the thermal contrast between the gas and the background scene, and adjust it to improve visibility. The GF620 has four times the pixels of other available models, producing high-definition resolution that helps inspectors detect fugitive hydrocarbon emissions from safer distances than are possible when using lower-resolution OGI cameras, says the manufacturer. This system quantifies hydrocarbon leaks with mass or volumetric measurements and colorizes emissions for easier assessment. The QL320 software allows users to download a video from the field and post-process the footage. — FLIR Systems, Wilsonville, Ore.