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System and method for remote quantitative detection of fluid leaks from a natural gas or oil pipeline

  • US 6,995,846 B2
  • Filed: 10/06/2004
  • Issued: 02/07/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2003
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system for remote detection of fluid leaks from a natural gas or oil pipeline by use of an airborne plafform comprising:

  • a) at least two separate online laser light sources for simultaneously illuminating substantially a target area of two or more target fluids and a separate offline laser light source for illuminating a target background, wherein the two or more target fluids includes two or more online absorption wavelengths, and the background target includes an offline non-absorption wavelength, the offline non-absorption wavelength being a different wavelength than either of the two or more online absorption wavelengths;

    b) means for separately generating and changing, for each of the light sources, a selected wavelength corresponding to each of the two or more target fluids and the background;

    c) means for pointing the laser light sources based on a positioning system;

    d) means for scanning the laser light sources in a geometric area along a path;

    e) means for simultaneously measuring the two or more target fluids'"'"' concentration path-length, using a relationship of a ratio between (1) a normalized returned offline laser signal and (2) each of a normalized returned online laser signal;

    f) means for path planning and path finding for positioning of the airborne platform; and

    g) means for communicating presence of a detected leak from the natural gas or oil pipeline.

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