Breakthrough sensors: Fugitive hydrocarbon detection utilising cloud based IoT Gas Activated Systems at Texas Tech University

The Petroleum Engineering Department at Texas Tech University conducted testing on the Gas Activated Systems suite of cloud-based fugitive hydrocarbon detection tools. DetectSys–a system utilising breakthrough multi-species gas quantification in a single sensor–complete with geolocation and long-range wireless communications, was exposed to methane in field-encountered conditions. The immediate output was observed via the PreventSys platform via real-time dashboards and captured in the cloud-based time-series database.

Gas Activated Systems uses its advanced Industrial Internet of Things infrastructure that includes state-of-the-art MEMS-based, silicon sensor technologies to identify and quantify multi-species gas emissions at oil and gas exploration and production sites, refineries, storage and transmission facilities. Through this system, gas emissions can be monitored, mapped and analysed 24/7 in real-time, providing the intelligence necessary for immediate remediation of methane and other combustible emission sources.

Oil and gas companies require methods to monitor derogatory events throughout their processes. Upstream, midstream and downstream, there are significant threats to life and property. Preventative and predictive solutions will increase reliability and maintenance, production optimisation, field development, collaboration and safety. Unintended gas releases on oil or gas production sites contribute not only to the hydrocarbon emissions of collective

Greenhouse Gases, but also pose immediate risk for explosions when in contact with combustion sources. Currently there is no system that can accurately report a plurality of hydrocarbon LEL (lower explosive limit) concentrations using a single sensor. The MEMS sensor provided by Gas Activated Systems allows for speed, compactness, economy and robustness of service.

“Our platform provides explosive and combustible gas detection of a multitude of gases using a single sensor, complete with time-series database population for immediate and forensic discovery. The cloud-based structure allows for 24/7, real-time alerting, autonomous action and remediation” stated Michael Bryan, Gas Activated Systems CEO.

The tests were conducted at the Oilfield Technology Centre, an extended lab functioning oil field located on the University’s East Research Campus. Methane was manually released and then verified via infrared camera. The sensors were evaluated for their prompt reading and reporting of correct gas LEL. The resulting data demonstrated that the Gas Activated Systems hydrocarbon sensing provided cloud reporting faster than the standard individual hand-held (local-only reporting) tools used in the industry today.

“We have demonstrated that Gas Activated Systems outperforms speed of detection of industry-standard conventional detectors,” says Dr. Ekarit Panacharoensawad, assistant professor, Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering. The second part of the product validation was systematic testing of DetectSys, alternately applying precision calibration methane and propane. Panacharaoensawad added, “The Gas Activated Systems’ units provided accurate %LEL readings, again beating the industry-standard handheld device by nearly 50%.”

Denny Bullard, instructor at the Department of Petroleum Engineering and a 50 year member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers adds, “Using the LoRaWAN wireless, the data communications were measured at full strength back to the gateway even at distances beyond 500 feet.”

Located on the east side of Lubbock, TX just outside the city limit, OTC provides class room training and research space for both academic and industry needs. It has a 4000 foot test well equipped with a pumping unit connected with a flowline to a surface tank battery for demonstration and training purposes. Furthermore, high pressure separator and gas processing units including a line heater, vapor recovery unit, high pressure and low pressure natural gas compressors, and a vapor recovery tower are part of the OTC that is used for training and other academic needs.

Comment on this article below or via Twitter: @IoTNow_OR @jcIoTnow

RECENT ARTICLES

Get a US$50 Amazon voucher for sharing your IoT brand knowledge

Posted on: March 28, 2024

We want to know what you know about the IoT space. Just 3 minutes could earn you a US$50 Amazon digital gift card!

Read more

Enhance EV charging performance with cellular connectivity

Posted on: March 28, 2024

Electric vehicles (EVs) are steadily growing their market share at the expense of internal combustion engine vehicles. The growth is fuelled by several factors. Perhaps most importantly, prices for EVs have started to drop as competition in the industry is intensifying. New players and models are emerging, prompting several established EV makers to lower their

Read more
FEATURED IoT STORIES

What is IoT? A Beginner’s Guide

Posted on: April 5, 2023

What is IoT? IoT, or the Internet of Things, refers to the connection of everyday objects, or “things,” to the internet, allowing them to collect, transmit, and share data. This interconnected network of devices transforms previously “dumb” objects, such as toasters or security cameras, into smart devices that can interact with each other and their

Read more

The IoT Adoption Boom – Everything You Need to Know

Posted on: September 28, 2022

In an age when we seem to go through technology boom after technology boom, it’s hard to imagine one sticking out. However, IoT adoption, or the Internet of Things adoption, is leading the charge to dominate the next decade’s discussion around business IT. Below, we’ll discuss the current boom, what’s driving it, where it’s going,

Read more

9 IoT applications that will change everything

Posted on: September 1, 2021

Whether you are a future-minded CEO, tech-driven CEO or IT leader, you’ve come across the term IoT before. It’s often used alongside superlatives regarding how it will revolutionize the way you work, play, and live. But is it just another buzzword, or is it the as-promised technological holy grail? The truth is that Internet of

Read more

Which IoT Platform 2021? IoT Now Enterprise Buyers’ Guide

Posted on: August 30, 2021

There are several different parts in a complete IoT solution, all of which must work together to get the result needed, write IoT Now Enterprise Buyers’ Guide – Which IoT Platform 2021? authors Robin Duke-Woolley, the CEO and Bill Ingle, a senior analyst, at Beecham Research. Figure 1 shows these parts and, although not all

Read more

CAT-M1 vs NB-IoT – examining the real differences

Posted on: June 21, 2021

As industry players look to provide the next generation of IoT connectivity, two different standards have emerged under release 13 of 3GPP – CAT-M1 and NB-IoT.

Read more

IoT and home automation: What does the future hold?

Posted on: June 10, 2020

Once a dream, home automation using iot is slowly but steadily becoming a part of daily lives around the world. In fact, it is believed that the global market for smart home automation will reach $40 billion by 2020.

Read more

5 challenges still facing the Internet of Things

Posted on: June 3, 2020

The Internet of Things (IoT) has quickly become a huge part of how people live, communicate and do business. All around the world, web-enabled devices are turning our world into a more switched-on place to live.

Read more