Test & measurement
fugitive emissions and leaks faster and pinpoint the source immediately, leading to prompt repairs, reduced industrial emissions, and greater conformity to regulations. In addition, OGI saves money, not only through efficiency but more importantly by improving the safety of company personnel and assets. The following tips will help you get the most out of OGI equipment.
T
1. UnDeRSTAnD The AppLIcATIOn AnD The neeD.
Different applications require different cameras. In other words: one camera may not see all the gases, so you need to understand which type of gas you are dealing with. For example, a VOC/hydrocarbon OGI camera will not see SF6, and a CO camera will not see refrigerants.
2. TAke The envIROnmenT InTO AccOUnT.
The success of OGI depends on environmental conditions. The greater the background energy differential, the easier the camera will be able to visualize the gas leak and pinpoint its source. Active optical gas imaging (i.e. using a laser based backscattering technique) relies on a reflective surface in the background. This presents a significant challenge when you are looking at components high up and pointing the camera at the sky. Also, rain and strong winds need to be considered. Rain can make detection very difficult, but wind can help visualize the gas because it makes the gas move.
10 tips for getting the most out of an optical gas imaging (OGI) camera
4. USe ALL The feATUReS Of yOUR OGI cAmeRA.
Learn how each feature of the OGI camera works—such as automatic GPS tagging or image enhancements—and use them to your advantage. Small concentrations of gases can be difficult to see sometimes, even with an OGI camera. High Sensitivity Mode (HSM) enhances the image so even small concentrations of gas are visible. Notation features, such as GPS tagging, can be critical to ensuring crews make the repairs on the correct asset.
5. meASURe TempeRATURe cORRecTLy.
3. RemembeR: OGI IS qUALITATIve, nOT qUAnTITATIve. Due to the environmental variants and the background energy differential and variations, an OGI camera alone cannot determine the specific type or amount of gas escaping through a leak. The exception to this general rule comes
from pairing the OGI camera with a companion technology such as the FLIR QL320. This product works with the FLIR GF320, FLIR GFx320, and FLIR GF620 to measure mass leak rates (lb/h or g/h) or volumetric leak rates (cc/min or L/min) for most hydrocarbons.
18
Many OGI cameras are temperature-calibrated, making them dual-use systems. They are suitable for industrial maintenance inspections because they can measure and record temperatures across the scene and save the data to a JPEG or video. You can use these cameras to detect hot spots or electrical problems in high- and low- voltage electrical installations or mechanical installations, or to look for insulation failures in pipework, ovens and much more. The thermographic function on your OGI
camera can also help you improve the visual contrast between a gas cloud and the background scene. Unlike with other thermographic applications, your object of detection (gas) has no visual representation. You can only see the cloud by creating a radiant contrast between the cloud and the background. The cloud itself reflects almost no radiation. The key to making the cloud visible is enhancing the temperature difference (∆T) between the cloud and the background.
6. USe The cAmeRA’S ADvAnTAGeS TO keep SAfe.
Gas imaging cameras are a quick, non-contact method for detecting leaks in hazardous or hard-to-reach areas. They are sensitive enough to detect small leaks from several meters away and large leaks from hundreds of meters away. Many offer visual enhancements such as HSM, which can improve detection of leaks that are small or low in concentration. Because OGI allows you to detect gas
emissions from a safe distance, you should use it to your advantage. Beginning outside of the main work area, take an initial scan of the area to determine if there are any large gas leaks visible. Then, you can move in closer for more specific scans. Be sure to wear appropriate safety gear and store and transport your OGI camera in its provided case. Also, keeping up with camera maintenance will insure it does not become its own safety hazard.
7. WORk WITh peRmITS.
OGI cameras in general are not Zone 1 ATEX certified. Therefore, you will need to apply for a ‘Hot Work Permit’ or use it under a ‘Permit to work scheme’ for Zone 1 work. Permits are also needed when using OGI
cameras in Zone 2, with one possible exception: the FLIR GFx320, a hazardous locations compliant, certified Zone 2-compliant OGI camera for detecting hydrocarbons. Some company guidelines allow this camera to be used in Zone 2 without a hot work permit. Remember, any top-notch OGI camera will allow
you to see significant and dangerous leaks from a safe zone, even outside of the facility perimeter.
August 2022 Instrumentation Monthly
hrough OGI technology, the oil and gas industry can incorporate a safer, more efficient ‘Smart LDAR’ (Leak Detection and Repair) programme. Inspectors can detect
Feature sponsored by
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102
