ABB launches gas leak detection and greenhouse gas measuring system

Photo: ABB.

ABB launched its ABB Ability mobile gas leak detection system, HoverGuard.

HoverGuard detects, quantifies and maps leaks up to 100 metres from natural gas distribution and transmission pipelines, gathering lines, storage facilities, and other potential sources. It automatically generates digital reports that summarize results and can be shared in minutes after a survey.

The cloud-connected solution is unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based to quantify the three greenhouse gases; methane, carbon dioxide and water vapor, continuously while flying.

HoverGuard can detect leaks while flying at altitudes of 40 metres, and at speeds greater than 88 kilometre per hour. It can cover 10-15 times more land area per minute by operating on low-cost commercial UAV, capable of carrying a payload of three kilograms.

“HoverGuard represents an important step-change in gas leak detection and for the environment,” said Doug Baer, Global Product Line Manager of Laser Analyzers, ABB. “Previously inspectors had to rely on slow, qualitative, analog sensors or expensive delicate cameras to find leaks. Our ground-breaking solution effectively probes locations otherwise inaccessible by either walking or driving. It will increase safety across the pipeline network whether in remote or urban environments, by detecting and mapping natural gas leaks around hard-to-reach sites such as bridges, areas with right-of-way restrictions or vegetation coverage, gas storage assets and pipelines.”