Lightpeaks : Prototype of a Hand-Held Laser-Based Methane Sensor

MAIN FEATURES AND SPECIFICATION

Designed for natural gas leak detection
Detects methane at 1654 nm
No calibration is required for leak pinpointing
Data logger (up to 4 readings per second)

Detection Method:	TDLAS
Minimum detection limit:	~ 1 ppm at STP
Detection range:	~ 1 ppm to pure CH₄
Calibration gas:	50 ppm CH₄, Zero Air
Operation temperature:	10 – 40 0C
Power consumption:	0.14 W (pump is off) 0.8 W (pump is on)
Power supply:	rechargeable Li-ion battery
Weight:	400 g (including battery)

Example performance

Natural gas leak from a valve in a residential area detected with the hand-held sensor. Peaks are the detected spikes of methane levels in ambient air. Arrows on the graph indicate the downwind distances in meters from the leak source. The sensor was carried in the hand with real-time data displayed on a tablet screen. The first peak appeared at ~ 50 m downwind from the leak point.