ExxonMobil Research Qatar and project partner RasGas are field testing an advanced second-generation dual sensor version of ExxonMobil’s IntelliRed remote gas detection system
The IntelliRed system, patent pending, provides a highly sensitive and accurate early warning of hydrocarbon leaks and is designed to improve process safety and environmental performance at oil refineries, chemical plants, LNG facilities and other gas processing facilities worldwide.
The remote gas detection system, which won the 2013 Qatar Petroleum HSE Excellence Innovation Award, has been deployed near LNG Train 7, in which ExxonMobil has a 30 per cent participating interest. Field testing is expected to run through 2016.
Hazem Abdel-Moati, safety research lead at ExxonMobil Research Qatar, said, “The dual imager IntelliRed remote gas detection system is a step forward in mitigating operational risks while improving reliability and ease of use.
“The pilot project is designed to test the system’s durability and harsh climate performance by challenging it with various environmental conditions such as heat, humidity, dust, sand and fog.”
The system employs two infrared cameras with a common optical path. One imager operates at a wavelength slightly offset from the other, allowing one imager to detect both hydrocarbon and background signatures while the second imager detects only the background signature. Image subtraction techniques eliminate background interference, which increases hydrocarbon plume detection accuracy, simplifies the autonomous computer vision algorithm and improves continuous scanning of a given landscape for aerial surveillance applications.
Scientists from ExxonMobil Research Qatar and Providence Photonics developed the IntelliRed system over a four-year period, culminating in field tests of the system at production facilities in Qatar and the United States. In 2015, the ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company awarded Providence Photonics a global commercial license for the system.
“RasGas embraces its responsibility for the safety of people and the protection of the environment as a core commitment. Therefore, the partnership between RasGas and ExxonMobil Research Qatar is a clear demonstration of our consistent efforts to implement innovative technologies that would significantly improve process safety, integrity of assets and enhance environmental performance of our facilities,” added Khalid Al Hemaidi, RasGas chief safety, health, environment and quality officer.
ExxonMobil Research Qatar was established in 2009 to conduct research in areas of common interest to the State of Qatar and ExxonMobil, including environmental management, water reuse, LNG safety and coastal geology.
