Remote detection of hydrocarbon seeps
First Claim
1. A method of interrogating aerosols formed above a sea or earth surface to detect hydrocarbon gas seeps below the surface, comprising the steps of:
- generating a beam of primary light radiation and directing the beam towards the surface, the beam being sufficiently intense and of such a spectral composition that the beam causes the aerosols to emit secondary light radiation;
detecting the secondary light radiation emanating from the aerosols; and
,analysing the spectral content of the detected secondary radiation to determine whether the composition of aerosols indicates the existence of a hydrocarbon gas seep.
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Abstract
A method of detecting hydrocarbon seeps in a sea or in earth is disclosed. The method involves interrogating aerosols formed above the sea or earth surface with an intense beam of primary light radiation generated aboard an aircraft or other vehicle. The spectral composition of the beam is selected to induce secondary light radiation in certain hydrocarbon materials contained in aerosols generated by hydrocarbon seeps rising to the sea or earth surface. The secondary light radiation is detected aboard the aircraft and subjected to spectral analysis to determine whether the composition of the aerosols is characteristic of aerosols generated by hydrocarbon seeps. Apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of interrogating aerosols formed above a sea or earth surface to detect hydrocarbon gas seeps below the surface, comprising the steps of:
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generating a beam of primary light radiation and directing the beam towards the surface, the beam being sufficiently intense and of such a spectral composition that the beam causes the aerosols to emit secondary light radiation; detecting the secondary light radiation emanating from the aerosols; and
,analysing the spectral content of the detected secondary radiation to determine whether the composition of aerosols indicates the existence of a hydrocarbon gas seep. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Apparatus for detecting hydrocarbon seeps in a sea or in earth by interrogation of aerosols formed above the sea or earth surface, comprising:
- p1 means for generating a beam of primary light radiation and directing the beam towards the surface, the beam being sufficiently intense and of such a spectral composition that the beam causes the aerosols to emit secondary light radiation;
means for detecting the secondary light radiation, including range-gate means for regulating operation of the detecting means so that only secondary radiation from sources in some predetermined zone above the surface containing aerosols tends to be detected; and
,spectral analysis means for use in analysing the spectral content of the detected secondary radiation whereby a determination can be made whether the composition of the aerosols indicates the existence of a hydrocarbon gas seep. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
- p1 means for generating a beam of primary light radiation and directing the beam towards the surface, the beam being sufficiently intense and of such a spectral composition that the beam causes the aerosols to emit secondary light radiation;
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10. A method of detecting hydrocarbon gas seeps in the sea, comprising the steps of:
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generating a beam of primary light radiation and directing the beam towards the sea surface, the beam being sufficiently intense and of such a spectral composition that the beam causes aerosols formed above the sea surface by hydrocarbon gas seeps to emit secondary light radiation; detecting secondary light radiation emanating from a region above the sea surface containing aerosols; and
,analysing the spectral content of the detected secondary light radiation to determine whether the composition of the aerosols above the sea surface indicates the existence of a hydrocarbon gas seep. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. Apparatus for use in detecting hydrocarbon seeps in the sea, comprising:
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means for generating a beam of primary light radiation and directing the beam towards the surface, the beam being sufficiently intense and of such a spectral composition that the beam causes aerosols formed above the sea surface by hydrocarbon gas seeps to emit secondary light radiation; means for detecting the secondary light radiation, including range-gate means for regulating operation of the detecting means so that only secondary radiation from sources in a predetermined zone above the surface containing aerosols tends to be detected; and
,spectral analysis means for use in analysing the spectral content of the detected secondary radiation whereby a determination can be made whether the composition of the aerosols indicates the existence of a hydrocarbon seep. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification