Optical Gas Imaging Camera

Over the decades infrared cameras have revolutionized maintenance in many industries, proving to be the most superior technology for finding electrical and mechanical hidden faults – even before they occur. Infrared cameras can also play a major role in reducing environmental damage. Not only do some of the gases harm the environment, but the leaks also cost companies substantial amounts of money. Against this background, FLIR has introduced Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) to visualize and pinpoint gas leaks without the need to shut down operations. Optical gas imaging cameras give you the power to spot invisible gases as they escape, so you can find fugitive emissions faster and more reliably than with sniffer detectors. Hi-Tech is FLIR’s the premium channel partner in India for optical gas imaging solutions.

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Why would you choose a FLIR OGI camera?

A facility can have thousands of connections and fittings that require regular inspection, but the reality is only a small percentage of these components will ever leak. Testing them all with a traditional “sniffer” takes a great deal of time and effort and may put the inspector in an unsafe environment. The FLIR Gas Detection cameras produce a full picture of the scanned area and the invisible leaks appear as smoke or fume on the camera’s viewfinder or LCD, allowing the user to see fugitive gas emissions from a safe distance. The image is viewed in real time and can be recorded in the camera for easy archiving.

The FLIR cameras allow you to scan broad sections of equipment rapidly and survey areas that are hard to reach with traditional meters and sniffers. With OGI cameras you get a complete picture and can immediately exclude areas that do not need any action. This means you can achieve enormous savings in terms of time and personnel.

The science behind OGI

An optical gas imaging camera can be considered a highly specialized version of an infrared or thermal imaging camera. The detectors used for OGI cameras are quantum detectors that require cooling to cryogenic temperatures (around 70K or -203°C). Midwave cameras that detect gases such as methane and hydrocarbons commonly operate in the 3-5 μm range and use an indium antimonide (InSb) detector. Longwave cameras that detect gases such as sulfur hexafluoride tend to operate in the 8-12 μm range and use a quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP). The OGI camera uses a unique spectral filter method that enables it to detect a gas compound. The filter restricts the wavelengths of radiation allowed to pass through to the detector to a very narrow band called the band pass.

Key Concepts for Making Gas Clouds Visible

Gas must absorb infrared radiation in the waveband that the camera sees

Gas cloud must have radiant contrast with the background

Apparent temperature of the cloud must be different than the background

Motion makes the cloud easier to see

Advantages of FLIR Optical Gas Imaging Cameras

Safe, non-contact remote operations, avoids human interference in hazardous areas

Makes the chemical compounds and gases visible that are otherwise unseen to the naked eye

Maximise the owner’s profit through minimizing costly product loss.

Improves plant start-up safety

Rapid and accurate detection of even the smallest gas leaks upto <0.3 ppm x m

Utilizes optical gas imaging combined with an algorithmic solution, to quantify the gas leaks

Manufactures its own cryogenic coolers and spectral filters and does not outsource from 3rd Party

Preserves the environment and helps achieving regulatory compliances

EPA OOOOa & OOOOb certified by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL)

Improves efficiency and reduces O&M costs through faster scanning

Unboxing the OGI Camera

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