Welcome to Imaging Atoms
Imaging Atoms, Inc. provides technical support for ground and aerial natural gas leak surveys and ROW surveillance patrols using military-grade gas imaging and detection methods for the safe, effective and economical maintenance of natural gas systems. Natural gas leaks are costly, and can pose immediate hazards to people and property. Our technically supported gas leak surveys and patrols are ideal for all types of natural gas systems, especially transmission, gathering, LNG and distribution systems.
Our technical applications for aerial ROW patrols and gas leak imaging, detection and measurement are commercially proven and recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our firm's strengths are technical capability using the latest validated technologies; model service to client; coupled with extensive regulatory audit experience.
Aerial Advantage - Helicopters and fixed-wing planes are used to characterize system conditions over large areas from the air. Our aerial leak surveys allow for an immediate determination of how much gas is being lost from pinpointed origins - near or from a distance. Leaking gas is visually recorded using optical gas imaging and quantitatively measured using infrared and laser absorption spectroscopy. These methods can differentiate between, and quantitatively measure, multiple gases (e.g., methane, total hydrocarbons, etc.) simultaneously and continuously. The same advanced modes of gas imaging and detection are used for rapid and effective ground verification leak surveys.
Aerial leak surveys are performed at the same time as 49 CFR Part 192 Right-of-Way (ROW) patrols. Advanced high-definition photography and video allow for the unmistakable documentation of right-of-way noncompliance, such as: construction, excavation, encroachment, water threats, sink holes, soil erosion, vegetative forces, etc.
Our support is provided in a cooperative and confidential manner, to the complete satisfaction of our clients, with whom we maintain over a 95% repeat work rate. Given that many of our supported programs are completed along with regulatory oversight, one of our core operating principles is "If it is not documented, it did not happen". Every program is suitably documented through a definitive process using controlled hardcopy and electronic media. Unique survey location ID, GPS waypoint coordinates, date and time of acquisition, serial numbers of equipment, initials of operators, and lot numbers of calibrations standards are some elements of our final deliverables. Documentation procedures are modeled after ISO/IEC record keeping requirements developed to aid in the historical reconstruction of work and the ability to generate findings that are of a known documented quality.
Our ground and aerial analytical capabilities use the most advanced technologies commercially available to industry for visualizing, detecting, and recording natural gas and chemical emissions. Given the immediate determinations by these techniques, especially from aircraft, many more survey points are obtainable in a single day including those over expansive areas. Real-time measurements and recorded images surgically pinpoint the exact origin of leaks, and are then used for effective repairs, resulting in safe, profitable systems.
METHODS AND REPORTING
Imaging Atoms routinely uses multiple modes of commercially proven gas imaging and detection techniques to establish an analytical work product that accurately reflects gas leak emissions. Multiple modes of gas detection provide for a high degree of certainty, and complete characterization. These test applications allow for low-level detection, well below the percent Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) of natural gas from a distance. When performed from aircraft, these remote sensing applications are ideal for detecting gas leaks in a timely manner, while also conducting ROW surveillance patrols, from large areas that can sometimes be difficult to access.
Our work serves the following critical functions:
- Systematically locate, characterize and quantitatively measure conditions that poses immediate or probable risk to safe operations, facility personnel, the public and/or property from leaking gas
- Locate and identify probable risks within a transmission line Right-of-Way (ROW) which may affect safe operating conditions
- Link these findings to a unique place on the earth's surface using specific waypoint identification
- Provide an economical maintenance tool to eliminate costly leaks, and identify potentially hazardous conditions that adversely affect safe operations and profitability.
Each analytical techniique employed generates empirical data (e.g., gas imaging photos, video, computer-system generated raw data) that includes the GPS coordinates of the survey location. Daily surveillance deliverables meet and exceed all DOT reporting requirements.
Infrared Optical Gas Imaging
Through the use of optical gas imaging, natural gas leaks are visualized and recorded. Fugitive emissions appear as plumes of smoke as gas is absorbed within the infrared spectrum. Data deliverables include recorded images of leaking gas that include date and time of acquisition, along with GPS coordinates of the survey location (as overlays on recorded image). Normal mode video is also recorded to help end-users recognize survey locations.
Infrared and Laser Absorption Spectroscopy
Imaging Atoms conducts leak surveys using different infrared and absorption spectroscopy systems.
Infrared spectroscopy relies on a gases nature to absorb specific frequencies that are characteristic of their structure. Laser absorption spectroscopy works by directing a continuous generated beam of radiation at a target area and detecting the intensity of the radiation that passes through it. The transmitted energy can be used to calculate the absorption. Both of these applications are ideal for the identification of specific target gases (qualitative), with the ability to measures quantity of gas emissions present (quantitative).
Catalytic Bead Sensor
The Catalytic Bead Sensor application is a rugged and very sensitive method for the identification of combustible gas in an air-gas mixture, ideal for natural gas. Gas levels are measured in parts per billion, percent LEL and percent volume. This method is ideal for accessing many types of surveys points, such as, under manholes, asphalt, concrete pads, foundations; in sewers, vaults, etc.
Open Path Fourier Transform Infrared and Ultraviolet Differential Optical Absorption
OP-FTIR is a unique analytical capability that can measure the presence of many chemicals in air simultaneously at low levels of detection. A unique advantage to OP-FTIR method is the ability to measure select species remotely from very far distances. UVDOAS is used to identify and measure concentrations of different gases over a distance, within a line-of-sight. The method is based on the relationship between the quantity of light absorbed and the number of molecules in the light-path. With both these techniques it is possible to identify and determine the concentrations of several gases simultaneously.
LEAK SURVEYS AND SURVEILLANCE PATROLS
Imaging Atoms provides technical services in support of DOT accepted ROW surveillance patrols and leak surveys, from the ground and air that are required under Title 49 CFR Part 192. These support services are core elements of integrity management programs for natural gas transmission and distribution per DOT PHMSA's Office of Pipeline Safety. Our methods are also recognized by the EPA for fugitive emissions monitoring programs.
Infrared and laser absorption spectroscopy, optical gas imaging and catalytic bead sensor technologies are used to locate, identify and classify gas leaks from multiple survey points. Typical survey targets include transmission lines within a utility ROW; distribution system components (mains, and service lines); wellheads and gathering field lines; utility conduits for electric, telephone, sewer, and water systems; cracks in pavement and sidewalks; under building foundations, naturally occurring ground fissures over or adjacent to buried pipelines; railroad and buried pipeline intersects; above ground piping; etc.
Every program is suitably documented through a definitive process using controlled hardcopy and electronic media that is modeled after ISO/IEC protocols, and DOT requirements. Daily patrol and leak survey reports are documented at the time of the original observations and measurements. Daily summary reports are generated within 24-hours. All documentation is performed and organized in order to facilitate smooth and successful auditing from internal and external bodies.
ABOUT US
Imaging Atoms' technical applications for aerial Right-of-Way (ROW) patrols and leak surveys are commercially proven and recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our firm's strengths are technical capability using the latest validated technologies; service to client; coupled with extensive regulatory audit experience.
Our principals have been providing determinative analytical services in support of regulated programs since 1991. Pilots are military trained, and instrument operators are degreed engineers and chemists. Our teams travel throughout the U.S. and internationally. The company is registered in the Federal Central Contractor Database. Our Quality Systems are founded on controlled Standard Operating Procedures, which allow for consistent determinations that are of a known documented quality and legally defensible. Technical personnel are certified and retrained annually, and possess the necessary DOT Operator Qualification "OQ" training.
Code of Conduct and Appearance
We model our corporate Code of Conduct after the U.S. Military. While performing all tasks necessary for the successful completion of these services, Imaging Atoms personnel conduct themselves with exemplary professionalism, respect and courteousness towards each other, client personnel, the public and regulatory agency staff. On-site personnel wear appropriate OSHA Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while conducting all work, and conspicuously exhibit individual identification in the form of a U.S. Military ID or state issued driver's license, along with an Imaging Atoms business card on the front of their utility vest.
We purposely limit the amount of project work we accept in order to ensure that existing clients are and remain completely satisfied with our support service. We have a 95% retention rate in terms of repeat work, and have come to appreciate that our clients' success is our own.
aerial leak survey
aerial surveillance
aerial pipeline patrols
aerial infrared
optical gas imaging
infrared absortion
laser spectroscopy
quantitative measurements
DOT gas leak surveys
ROW documented inspection
high resolution photography
high resolution videography
optical gas imaging
fugitive emissions
ground verification
Western United States, Alaska and Canada - Austin, Texas 512-944-7151
Eastern United States - Red Bank, New Jersey 732-927-0993
rfp@imagingatoms.com
ductus exemplo