The invention of this company, supported by the Business Incubator of the UC3M Science Park, is based on technology patented by researchers from the Infrared Laboratory (LIR) of the Carlos III University, and allows the detection of gas leaks that are usually invisible to the human eye thanks to a camera that recognizes the infrared signature of these compounds (infrared is electromagnetic and thermal radiation with a longer wavelength than visible light).
The system, called the Gas Sensing System (GSS), allows for the visualization of a wide range of gases of significant industrial interest, such as methane, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gases, refrigerants, and others. The GSS's capabilities have been validated through pilot prototypes in various industrial environments, including gas treatment plants, regasification plants, steel mills, and solar thermal power plants. While several gas detection instruments exist on the market, none offer the advantages of this new method, according to its creators: remote operation, real-time monitoring, intuitive operation, and a cost five to ten times lower.
“The equipment can be used in any industrial plant where a chemical process is involved and there is a risk of gas leaks,” explains Francisco Cortés, CEO of Sensia Solutions. They offer portable units that allow a technician to perform regular inspections, and they can also install a permanent monitoring system within a closed-circuit television network that generates automatic alerts when a leak is detected. This feature is particularly relevant in explosive gas installations, for example, because the system includes an additional module for early and automatic fire detection. Finally, they can also deploy the system on drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) to inspect facilities from the air, which can be very useful for gas pipelines.
The GSS is currently in the industrialization phase due to the enormous interest it has generated among large companies, especially in the Oil & Gas sector. Furthermore, Sensia is receiving support for the development of its business plan from the SME Instrument of the European Union's Horizon 2020 program, which has given the project an excellent rating.
