Tiny methane sensor attached on a drone successfully spots methane leaks more accurately than modern instruments

Researchers have registered success in a field test in which a small methane sensor was attached to a small drone. Main aim was of the experiment was to test the ability of sensor to find out methane leaks more accurately than modern instruments, said NASA.

The methane gassensor has been developed as a part of project to improve safety in the energy pipeline industry. The sensor developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and University of California, Merced’s Mechatronics, Embedded System and Automation Lab allows detection of methane with a much greater level of sensitivity than the instruments available in the industry.

The field tests were carried out in central California at the Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve. The test of NASA's Open Path Laser Spectrometer (OPLS) sensor is considered to be the latest effort in a methane testing and demonstration program carried out on different programs since 2014.

The experts said that the ability of the OPLS sensor to detect methane in parts per billion in terms of volume could help the pipeline industry to have better accuracy about small methane leaks. The tests were carried out in late February in which they have flown a small unmanned aerial system equipped with the OPLS sensor at different distances from methane-emitting gas sources.

The tests were carried out in a controlled setting to test the accuracy and robustness of the system. The sensor was tested on a Vertical Take-off and Landing small unmanned aerial system (sUAS). The advanced capabilities provided by sUASs could extend the use of methane-inspection systems for detecting and locating methane gas sources.

This year, more flight tests will be carried and they will feature a fixed-wing UAS that can fly longer and farther. The latest round of tests will push the team’s goal to develop sUASs to improve traditional inspection methods for natural-gas pipeline networks.

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