SBIR-STTR Award

The primary objectives of this project address the major problem area which will determine the success or failure of the BAGI technology for the AEDC application. The first objective will be to demonstrate the feasibility of direct thermoelectric (TE) cooling and temperature control of a three watt CO2 waveguide laser. A mock-up of a laser camera unit with a 3 watt laser mounted on a TE-cooled cold plate will be designed, built and tested. A second objective will involve analysis of the BAGI synchro-scan system, with the goal being improvement of video optical resolution without sacrificing operational range or system size. This effort will include the design, fabrication and testing of a large aperture horizontal scan mirror assembly. The third objective will be to analyze the overall performance of the BAGI system with the direct TE cooling and re-designed synchro-scan configuration. A mathematical model will be used to predict the system operational range and leak detection sensitivity for the AEDC application. Should these objectives be accomplished, advanced development feasibility will be established, and the design and fabrication of a sensitive portable gaseous leak locator will have a high probability of success.

Keywords:
Gas Detection Gas Imaging Fugitive Emission Leak Detection Leak Location Lasers

Based on the successes of the Phase I effort, a Phase II project is proposed for the design, fabrication and testing of a prototype GasVue system to be used as a sensitive, shoulder-mounted gaseous leak locator for fugitive emissions at AEDC refrigeration facilities. While the AEDC prototype system will be optimized for locating leaks of R-22, R-134a, R-12, and trichloroethylene in the 5-50 Kg/year range, the design will be tuneable for use in detecting numerous other gas species. By using direct thermoelectric cooling instead of water cooling for a 3 watt Co2 laser, significant size, weight and power requirement savings will be realized. It appears that the system will require only 300 watts, making battery-powered operation a possibility. In addition, a re-designed synchro-scan module, using a large aperture scan mirror, will produce improved image quality while maintaining a leak visualization range of 30m and a field-of-view greater than 15 degrees. The project will also investigate the feasibility of using the GasVue design for an assembly-line leak testing application and as a mobile unit for locating natural gas and other volatile hydrocarbon leaks.

Keywords:
Lasers Gas Imaging Gas Detection Leak Location Leak Detection Remote Sensing Fugitive Emissions