Sensia Solutions (Leganés, Spain) has developed what it claims is the first infrared camera for detecting sulfur dioxide (SO2), a gas that is considered one of the greatest causes of the acid rain generated by the energy, metallurgy, food and paper manufacturing sectors.
The camera, based on technology patented by researchers from the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid's (UC3M) Infrared Laboratory, detects and measures, at distances of hundreds of meters, SO2 as well as other pollutants such as CO, NOx, SF6, and hydrocarbons.
"The method and the device for detecting and measuring the concentration of gases that we've patented makes these compounds visible due to their characteristic infrared signature," explains UC3M’s Miguel Ángel Rodríguez. "It’s useful for identifying highly polluting vehicles that are on the road, leaks in conductions or emissions from industrial installations, such as the chimneys of power plants."
There are several instruments for detecting gasses on the market but, according to the researchers, none of them offers the ability to determine the concentration of each gas that is present in the mix, and to do so from a distance and in real time.
According to the company's director, Francisco Cortés, the cost of the camera would not be greater than that of any conventional infrared camera.
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-- Dave Wilson, Senior Editor, Vision Systems Design
