Determining the composition of hydrocarbon gas mixtures through mid-infrared gas imaging

作为其气候变化行动计划的一部分，加拿大承诺到2023年将甲烷排放量减少2012年水平的40-45%。为了实现这些目标，加拿大工业需要准确地量化甲烷排放量，以及其他碳氢化合物的排放量，如苯-对甲苯-二甲苯（BTEX），必须向国家污染物排放清单报告。使用中波长红外（MWIR）相机来检测和可视化碳氢化合物泄漏是司空见惯的，特别是在加拿大的石油和天然气行业。硬件和算法/计算的最新进展现在可以通过MWIR图像分析进行定量烃通量估计。这种技术有可能提供比目前的实践标准更准确的通量估计，它依赖于点浓度测量。红外气体成像也更高效，并允许远距离测量，从而减少人员必须在通常危险的条件下工作的时间。该公司的加拿大子公司与滑铁卢大学合作，旨在加强定量红外气体检测，以便分离碳氢化合物混合物的成分，包括甲烷/BTEX。由KyleDaun教授领导的滑铁卢大学团队带来了热辐射，遥感和数学分析方面的专业知识。他们将与FLIR Lorex的Rob米尔纳先生和Austin理查兹博士密切合作，他们是国际公认的红外气体检测专家。该方法将使用CFD模拟进行数字原型化，然后通过在滑铁卢大学的专门测试台上使用FLIR提供的MWIR相机进行测量进行评估。通过这项研究开发的技术将帮助FLIR开发新技术，加拿大工业将使用该技术来减少温室气体排放，从而帮助保护加拿大的环境。研究活动还将帮助三名HQP具备红外气体探测，实验和数值分析方面的技能，这些技能是加拿大工业的高需求。

As part of its action plan on climate change, Canada is committed to reducing methane emissions by 40-45% of2012 levels by 2023. In order to meet these goals, Canadian industry needs to accurately quantify methaneemissions, as well as those of other hydrocarbons, such as benzene-ethylbenzene-toluene-xylene (BTEX),which must be reported to the National Pollutant Emissions Inventory. The use of mid-wavelength infrared(MWIR) cameras to detect and visualize hydrocarbon leaks is commonplace, particularly in Canada's oil andgas industry. Recent advancements in hardware and algorithms/computing now enable quantitativehydrocarbon flux estimates through MWIR image analysis. This technique has the potential to provide moreaccurate flux estimates than the current standard-of-practice, which relies on point-concentrationmeasurements. Infrared gas imaging is also more efficient and permits stand-off measurements, therebyreducing the time that personnel must spend working under often hazardous conditions.This Engage grant supports a new collaboration between FLIR Lorex, FLIR Inc.'s Canadian subsidiary, andthe University of Waterloo, aimed at enhancing quantitative infrared gas detection so it can isolate componentsof hydrocarbon mixtures, including methane/BTEX. The University of Waterloo team, led by Professor KyleDaun, brings an expertise in thermal radiation, remote sensing, and mathematical analysis. They will workclosely with Mr. Rob Milner and Dr. Austin Richards from FLIR Lorex, internationally-recognized experts oninfrared gas detection. The methodology will be numerically-prototyped using CFD simulations, and thenevaluated by making measurements with a MWIR camera provided by FLIR on a specialized test rig at theUniversity of Waterloo. The technology developed through this research will help FLIR develop newtechnology that Canadian industry will use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby helping safeguardCanada's environment. The research activities will also help equip three HQP with skills in infrared gasdetection, experimentation, and numerical analysis, which are in high demand by Canadian industry.