Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

As part of its action plan on climate change, Canada is committed to reducing methane emissions by 40-45% ofx000D
2012 levels by 2023. In order to meet these goals, Canadian industry needs to accurately quantify methanex000D
emissions, as well as those of other hydrocarbons, such as benzene-ethylbenzene-toluene-xylene (BTEX),x000D
which must be reported to the National Pollutant Emissions Inventory. The use of mid-wavelength infraredx000D
(MWIR) cameras to detect and visualize hydrocarbon leaks is commonplace, particularly in Canada's oil andx000D
gas industry. Recent advancements in hardware and algorithms/computing now enable quantitativex000D
hydrocarbon flux estimates through MWIR image analysis. This technique has the potential to provide morex000D
accurate flux estimates than the current standard-of-practice, which relies on point-concentrationx000D
measurements. Infrared gas imaging is also more efficient and permits stand-off measurements, therebyx000D
reducing the time that personnel must spend working under often hazardous conditions.x000D
This Engage grant supports a new collaboration between FLIR Lorex, FLIR Inc.'s Canadian subsidiary, andx000D
the University of Waterloo, aimed at enhancing quantitative infrared gas detection so it can isolate componentsx000D
of hydrocarbon mixtures, including methane/BTEX. The University of Waterloo team, led by Professor Kylex000D
Daun, brings an expertise in thermal radiation, remote sensing, and mathematical analysis. They will workx000D
closely with Mr. Rob Milner and Dr. Austin Richards from FLIR Lorex, internationally-recognized experts onx000D
infrared gas detection. The methodology will be numerically-prototyped using CFD simulations, and thenx000D
evaluated by making measurements with a MWIR camera provided by FLIR on a specialized test rig at thex000D
University of Waterloo. The technology developed through this research will help FLIR develop newx000D
technology that Canadian industry will use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby helping safeguardx000D
Canada's environment. The research activities will also help equip three HQP with skills in infrared gasx000D
detection, experimentation, and numerical analysis, which are in high demand by Canadian industry.