Development of a Van-Portable Remote-Sensing Laser System for Selective Detectionof Natural Gas Leaks. Final Report, May 1982-June 1988

摘要

The present method used to detect leaks from buried gas mains is to survey thestreet with an air-sampling manifold mounted on the front of a truck. Sample air is passed to a flame ionization detector (FID) that detects the hydrocarbon gas. The method has several shortcomings: (1) to obtain adequate sensitivity, the vehicle must travel at speeds as slow as 1 to 3 miles per hour; (2) because the FID is nonselective and responds to all hydrocarbons, such as those present in auto exhaust, it may be necessary to restrict operational hours to periods when traffic is light or nonexistent; (3) it can be used only in areas accessible to the sample intake of the vehicle. Significant benefits could be provided with a leak-survey system that was faster, and selective in its response to the presence of natural gas.