Rostec Develops New Infrared Cameras for Gas Pipeline Leak Detection
The UTK-4 camera can identify methane leaks from up to 20 km away, which could help prevent incidents such as the Nord Stream leak in 2022
Rostec State Corporation's Ruselectronics holding has announced the development of a new infrared camera designed to detect methane leaks in gas pipelines.
The UTK-4 camera, created by engineers at the Central Research Institute Electron, operates in the near-infrared range of 0.95-1.65 µm and utilizes laser illumination to detect leaks from a distance of up to 20 km.
The camera features a sealed case and employs a special television sensor to analyze the radiation flow, measuring attenuation within the methane absorption spectrum. It is equipped with a radiation-sensitive photocathode and an electron-sensitive matrix, making it suitable for installation at gas distribution and main stations.
Alexey Vyaznikov, General Director of the Central Research Institute Electron, explained that the camera converts infrared radiation into an image, highlighting areas of increased methane concentration against the surrounding environment. The use of laser illumination enhances the device's functionality, allowing it to operate effectively in poor visibility conditions, such as fog or precipitation.
This development arises from increased awareness of pipeline safety, especially after the Nord Stream incident in September 2022, which involved undersea gas leaks suspected to be sabotage. Four explosions damaged the $23 billion Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which transported natural gas from Russia to Europe, rupturing three of the four pipes, with one line of Nord Stream 2 remaining intact.
The leaks primarily released methane, raising environmental concerns due to its potency as a greenhouse gas and its short-term climate impact. The environmental effect was localized, but the emission of 150,000 tonnes (330 million pounds) of methane contributed significantly to climate change. This release accounted for approximately 0.25% of the pipelines' annual capacity and was nearly equal to Sweden's total annual methane emissions. The methane emissions equated to several days of regular fossil fuel production and one-third of daily agricultural emissions. However, these leaks set a record as the largest single discharge of methane, surpassing all previously known incidents, including the Aliso Canyon gas leak.
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