First low cost handheld infrared camera for fugitive emissions, early detection and location, increasing energy efficiency in industrial plants, infrastructures and utilities

Project Information

GaSeS

Grant agreement ID: 672465

DOI

10.3030/672465

Project closed

EC signature date 4 May 2015

Start date 1 June 2015

End date 31 October 2015

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

SENSIA SOLUTIONS SL
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GaSeS (First low cost handheld infrared camera for fugitive emissions, early detection and location, increasing energy efficiency in industrial plants, infrastructures and utilities)

Reporting period: 2015-06-01 to 2015-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

SENSIA intends to develop and commercialize a low cost uncooled camera based on infrared imaging technology that can easily detect and identify fugitive gas emissions in order to improve the energy and overall efficiency of the chemical, oil & gas, utilities, and many other industries and facilities. This type of device would be the first of its kind considering that solutions currently available are based on US cooled technology, with much higher costs and complexity associated.

Especially interesting is the sulfur dioxide (SO2) related industry where huge technological gaps exist for leaks detection and control. Currently, there is not commercially available technological solution or device to image leaks of SO2, even in the US. There is a big potential market around detection of fugitive emissions of SO2. The instrument proposed by SENSIA will be the first device able to detect SO2.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

SENSIA has developed a market study and corresponding business plan evaluating the main target markets as well as the best strategies to commercialise and introduce the proposed technology. According to this study we expect that our main strength is the cost-performance ratio provided by SENSIA: up to 4 times cheaper than the current technologies. Technical challenges that SENSIA needs to face during phase 2 in order to develop the market-ready industrialised equipment have also been clarified and results confirm that it is feasible to reach the market with our solution in 18 to 24 months since the starting date of the phase 2 project.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

SENSIA will develop and commercialise a global solution to mitigate efficiently the fugitive emission in the industry in general and particularly in the sulphuric-acid-related industries, oil & gas, large pipelines infrastructure, etc. The company has defined the main business cases in which the product will have a major impact:

- Handheld/portable equipment for punctual inspections.
- Fixed closed circuit cameras system for large infrastructures surveillance and monitoring.
- On board (drones/helicopter/land vehicles) equipment for inspections of large infrastructures, support to emergencies/crisis resolution.

This solution is based on a novel high spectral sensitivity infrared imager will imply a true disruptive breakthrough in this market and sector thanks to its cost reduction (70-80%) and flexibility/adaptability to different applications.
From an economic point of view SENSIA expects to reach 50M€ turnover, generating over 150 direct jobs.

Publishable image for summary - equipment prototype

Publishable image for summary - equipment prototype

Publishable image for summary - equipment prototype

Publishable image for summary - equipment prototype