ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company awarded the first commercial license for its InteliRed remote gas detection system to co-developer Providence Photonics. Providence Photonics is an affiliate of Providence Engineering headquartered in Baton Rouge, La. ExxonMobil and Providence scientists co-developed the InteliRed system over a four-year period culminating in field tests of the system that began last year at an LNG liquefaction plant in Qatar.
The InteliRed system is designed to improve process safety and environmental performance at oil refineries, chemical plants, liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities and other gas processing facilities. The system employs a specially developed computer algorithm to autonomously analyse infrared camera images to detect escaping hydrocarbon gases. The InteliRed system provides an early warning alert of hydrocarbon leaks with minimal false alarms.
“Our collaboration with the imaging experts at Providence Photonics has resulted in a remote gas detection system that is very accurate and, with its robust design, is capable of operating in the harsh environments of many different oil and gas processing facilities around the world”, said Sara N. Ortwein, president of ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company.
“This system automatically and relentlessly scans for hydrocarbon gas leaks from process equipment and notifies operators to take action before the leak can become a hazard”, said Yousheng Zeng, Providence managing partner.