Main Benefits
Main Benefits drone based laser Falcon
Outperforms foot search by 5x times
Detected leaks are referenced to GPS coordinates (high fidelity RTK GPS is also supported)
Applicable at unsafe and hazardous environments without compromising the safety of staff or equipment
Fully automated and repeatable surveys
Laser detector LMm is sensitive only to methane, so no false readings of other gases are possible
Fully automated reporting
How it works
> Mount the methane-leak-detection kit onto the drone
> Plan survey mission with UgCS
> Receive data during flight
> Generate a report with detected methane leak locations
The system consists of the drone integrated with methane detector Laser Falcon by PERGAM. The full integration is ensured by adding the onboard computer UgCS SkyHyb to the system.
DJI M600, M600 Pro and M210, M210 v2
Data logging is started automatically and geotagged with GPS coordinates from the autopilot
Data-sheet
User Manual
Key features
Key Features laser Falcon
Detection limits are from 1 to 50.000 ppm×m within 20m distance, speed: 0.1 second
Data transmission is enabled withing 5km distance
Flight time up to 25 minutes covering 5x larger area than by foot
3D maps of UgCS allow planning flight missions in terrain-following mode. Adding UgCS SkyHub and an altimeter to the system will enable to fly in True Terrain Following mode.
UgCS SkyHub Data-sheet & User Manual
The Integrated System
Laser Falcon for Methane Detection
Laser Falcon is sensitive only to methane, so no false readings of other gases are possible. It is a class 3R eye-safe laser.
The concept is based on Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy. The laser emits light (spectral range of 1,65 μm) is emitted, which reflects back and is captured by the sensor. The outgoing and incoming signals are compared with the built-in reference cell. If methane is present along the laser path, the laser light is partially absorbed. An algorithm calculates the gas concentration in ppm×m (parts per million multiplied by meter). The value is instantly transferred to the remote control (RC) of the drone pilot and to UgCS software.
Currently, the drone integrated system is compatible with two models of sensors provided by PERGAM :
- Falcon
- LMC DL.
UgCS SkyHub
The onboard computer UgCS SkyHub is the key element that enables the full integration of the drone, laser methane detector, and ground control software UgCS. The onboard UgCS SkyHub, designed by SPH Engineering, saves the gas detector’s data in .txt format and transfers them instantly to the remote control of the drone pilot and to the desktop software UgCS. This allows operators to detect leaks in real-time and ensure faster response time.
The UgCS SkyHub enables also to add a laser altimeter to enable the flight in True Terrain Following mode, which enables the drone (UAV) to accurately follow the terrain during the flight, based on data received from the laser altimeter. True Terrain Following enables the drone to fly at constant AGL altitude without a need to import precise Digital Elevation Model (DEM) height-map into UgCS.
Supported drones
Currently, the UgCS SkyHub is compatible with off-the-shelf or custom-built UAV based on DJI A3 flight controller, i.e. DJI M600 / M600 Pro and DJI DJI M210 / M210 v2
The DJI M600 and M600 Pro is a durable system that offers extended flight time (up to 25 minutes) and a 5-kilometer-long range of data transmission.
UgCS
Smooth operation is ensured by UgCS software, developed by SPH Engineering in Riga, Latvia. Besides supporting most industrial drones on the market, it offers several productivity-enhancing innovations: automatic Photogrammetry, Vertical (Facade) scan, Corridor mapping and Search pattern tools.
Most importantly for methane detection, UgCS software allows for the drone to be flown at a constant height, even over rough and mountainous areas, as its 3D maps and terrain-following model can cope with any kind of landscape. UgCS's drone mission planning software also provides tools for the easy creation and calculation of flight paths, and for the interpretation of acquired data in a user-friendly manner.
Application
Laser Falcon - the smallest detector for UAV integration
A drone-based methane monitoring system suits best to inspect large and inaccessible by foot areas, to create a map with detected methane concentration.
Watch the webinar to learn more in detail the setup of the UAV-integrated system, why drone-based methane detection system performs better and how to plan the flights with UgCS.
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