Methods for gas leak detection and localization in populated areas using isotope ratio measurements

摘要

Improved gas leak detection from moving platforms is provided. Automatic horizontal spatial scale analysis can be performed in order to distinguish a leak from background levels of the measured gas. Source identification can be provided by using isotopic ratios and/or chemical tracers to distinguish gas leaks from other sources of the measured gas. Multi-point measurements combined with spatial analysis of the multi-point measurement results can provide leak source distance estimates. These methods can be practiced individually or in any combination.

主权项

1. A method of gas leak detection and localization, the method comprising:
performing one or more primary gas concentration measurements of a target gas species from a moving platform that proceeds along at least one platform track disposed near one or more potential gas leak locations; performing one or more secondary stable isotope ratio measurements of the target gas species from the moving platform as it proceeds along the at least one platform track; automatically determining whether or not a gas leak is present at the potential gas leak locations based on the primary gas concentration measurements and the secondary stable isotope ratio measurements, wherein the secondary stable isotope ratio measurements provide source identification for detected leaks of the target gas species; and providing a leak indication at the potential gas leak locations to an end user.