ABB AbilityTM mobile gas leak detection and handheld unit to be showcased at ACHEMA
ABB will be showing for the first time at ACHEMA (June 11-15, 2018) its ABB AbilityTM mobile gas leak detection system. Designed to be 3,000 times more sensitive than existing methods of detecting leaks, the handheld device works by using ABB’s patented Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy (OA-ICOS) technique giving operators much greater confidence in the readings as well as providing a solution that is simple to use.
Existing gas leak detection systems have relied on the units having contact with the ground and measure the gas in parts per million (PPM). ABB’s new system is not only faster at detecting leaks without the need to be in contact with the ground, but is so sensitive that it measures gas in parts by billion (PBB).
The car-based system consists of ABB’s methane/ethane analyzer, a GPS, a sonic anemometer and proprietary leak detection software that presents real-time geospatial maps of multiple gas concentrations in real time. The software’s sophisticated leak detection algorithm combines the system’s measurement of gas concentrations (CH4, C2H6), local coordinates (GPS) and local wind velocity (sonic anemometer) to estimate the location of the leak. Readings are stored in the device and can be transmitted in real-time to the cloud for centralized monitoring.
Michael Kleimann, Industry Manager Life Science and Specialty Chemistry, says of the new handheld device, “Current traditional leak detection technology is slow, laborious and costly. Operators walk on foot near the pipeline with hand-held sensors making paper-based reports. This can lead to dangerous leaks being missed or not identified in time. ABB’s new hand held mobile gas leak detection systems delivers a low cost per leak solution with far fewer false positives. Reporting ability includes mapping of the leaks via a mobile app and measurements as a cloud-based service.”
Typical applications for the handheld device include pipeline monitoring, surveying mains and services, odor investigation, construction verification, post disaster evaluation and frost line evaluation.
During the ACHEMA Congress, ABB’s Michael Kleimann will be presenting the latest findings on June 12, 2018 at 1600 and there will be opportunities to see demonstrations on ABB’s stand in Hall 11.1 Stand A61, throughout the event.
