New High-Tech Imaging Protecting the Planet and Saving Lives

A revolutionary new technology is not only helping to protect the environment, but is now being used to save lives. Increasingly, thermal or optical gas imaging cameras are being used to detect dangerous fugitive emissions from refineries and other industrial facilities. An article in today’s WSJ, Making Drilling Rigs Safer, tells the story of a new startup, Rebellion Photonics, started by Allison Lami Sawyer and Robert Kester, who are using thermal imaging to save the lives of those who work in jobs, such as the oil and gas industry, where explosive fugitive emissions can kill. Given the revolutionary potential of this technology, Rebellion Photonics was one of three finalists for “WSJ Startup of the Year.”

The science behind these new cameras is fairly straightforward, enabling us to see infrared wavelengths absorbed by gases not visible to the naked eye. Here’s the technology being used to find a potentially deadly natural gas leak.

This technology is transformational on so many levels and, I predict, will revolutionize industry. Not only because of its huge benefits, but its small price, relative to the adverse impacts from undetected fugitive gases. These new tools are also now being deployed by EPA enforcement to catch the unwary who, in many cases, are violating environmental laws by not finding and fixing gas leaks in the course of production. It’s not at all uncommon these days to spot EPA enforcement officials, in unmarked cars, sitting outside the fence-line with a thermal imaging camera in hand, collecting all the evidence they need. Feeling somewhat exposed, companies are feeling compelled to install these technologies at their own fence-lines to proactively detect leaks before the regulators do. Given that the ready availability of this technology is driving enforcement and exposing companies to greater enforcement risks, it will continue to blossom into big business, as reflected in the upcoming annual LDAR-Fugitive Emission Symposium, slated for New Orleans in May 2014.