GASCOFIL/ViewGas Remote Sensors

GASCOFIL is an optical instrument for detecting trace gases in the ppb to percent

range concentrations. It works by measuring the spectral signature of a target gas

using the highly specific and sensitive technique of correlation spectroscopy. This

powerful diagnostic tool involves a correlative comparison between the optical

spectrum of a target molecule and spectral mask function in the instrument. By use of

multiple masks and/or multiple detectors several gases can be detected with one

optical system. Since no complex or alignment sensitive optics are required the base cost of the

instrument, power consumption, size and weight are minimized. A typical remote

sensing application uses a sensor that weighs less than 5 kg with power consumption

less than 20 watts.

1. DOUBLE PATH SENSOR In this mode the instrument measures the column density of a target gas between sensor and retro-reflector. Path length can vary from 0.3 m to approximately 1000 m. Specifications: Sensor Size: 40 x 30 x 20 cm Mass: 5kg Power: <30 watts @ 12 V Data port: RS 232 Detection limits: 0.1 to 10 ppm-m for IR absorbing gasses

2. AMBIENT GAS POINT SENSOR In this mode gas is drawn through the instrument and measured in-situ from a closed system or designated sample point. The instrument is configured as a folded path sensor with an internal multi-path. Specifications: Sensor Size: 100 x 30 x 20 cm Mass: 10 kg Power: < 30 watts @ 12 V Data port: RS 232 Internal multi-path cell optical path: 1 to 20 meters Detection limits: 0.1 - 10 ppm-m for IR absorbing gasses

3. REMOTE SENSOR This mode utilizes direct or reflected sunlight or background thermal IR to detect total column concentrations of specific gases. This configuration mode is suitable for mounting on a vehicle to look upward or scan a defined field of view. The sensor can also be mounted from an aircraft, balloon or orbiting platform to view downwards. A high sensitivity version of this remote sensor, named ViewGAS, was developed between 1998 and 2004. This remote sensor improves on the sensitivity of GASCOFIL by more than 10 times and has been used to detect small natural gas pipeline leaks. Specifications (GASCOFIL Remote Sensor): Specifications (ViewGAS Remote Sensor): Sensor Size: 40 x 30 x 20 cm Sensor Size: 50 x 25 x 20 cm Mass: 5 kg Mass: 7 kg Power: < 20 watts @ 12 V Power: < 40 watts @ 12 V Data port: USB or RS 232 Data port: USB