Fibre-based TDLS sensor network for detecting fugitive emission sources

A novel approach developed for detecting fugitive-methane emissions in upstream oil and gas facilities is presented. This approach could permit long-term, continuous monitoring of ambient methane levels, and enable the detection of probable leaks in conjunction with source location algorithms. The requirements for a system intended to conduct multi-point in situ fugitive methane concentration measurements within an industrial environment are described. An overview of a design for an optical-fiber-based tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy gas concentration measurement network, built specifically for atmospheric trace gas quantification in a harsh Canadian environment, is presented. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 104th AWMA Annual Conference and Exhibition 2011 (Orlando, FL 6/21-24/2011)