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³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ͵ÅÄ Corporation
Tokyo Gas Engineering Solutions Corporation
Gastar Co., Ltd.

³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ͵ÅÄ, TGES and Gastar Develop Portable Carbon-monoxide Detector using Infrared Laser
Remote detection capability expected to improve safety and efficiency

³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ͵ÅÄ Corporation, Tokyo Gas Engineering Solutions Corporation (TGES), and Gastar Co., Ltd. have jointly developed what is believed to be the world’s first portable high-sensitivity remote gas detector for the instant detection of 100ppm-m carbon monoxide from a distance of up to 16 meters. The feasibility of mass-producing the device will now be studied with the goal of launching a commercial product by 2025.

 
Carbon monoxide detection laser

Carbon monoxide detection laser

 

The new gas detection device, which uses a technology based on the infrared-absorption phenomenon, is currently being used by TGES in non-contact reflection-type methane detectors, which were developed in 2001 to detect city gas leaks and are now deployed in some 30 countries. The detector emits a beam of infrared light and then measures the intensity of the reflected light in a specific wavelength, with lower intensity indicating greater light absorption and therefore a higher presence of the target gas. The emitter and receiver face the same direction, so that emitted laser light is reflected diffusely off of walls and other surfaces and then returns to the receiver. The technology enables extremely high selectivity because the absorption wavelengths vary depending on the type of gas.

 

The new device is the world’s first open-path system to use the 2.3¦Ìm band, which is ideal for carbon monoxide detection, enabling highly sensitive detection at distances up to 16 meters. The envisioned commercial detector is expected to improve safety and reduce the cost and time required to inspect various facilities.

 

³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ͵ÅÄ’s will first test the current detector at its facilities to assess its field readiness, modification needs and ultimately its potential for installation in drones and mobile robots.

 

Roles of each company

³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ͵ÅÄ TGES Gastar
• Determine business needs
• Testing & evaluation
• Develop test-model specs
• Coordinate development
• Produce test model
• Test performance
 

At steelworks, the use of certain types of gases requires the daily inspection of vast amounts of piping, even in difficult locations. Pipes carrying carbon monoxide must be inspected visually for corrosion and cracks, and also for leaks using pump-suction gas detectors attached to the end of a rod. The difficulty of performing such inspections efficiently has created a long-standing need for an accurate yet easy-to-use inspection method.

 

New Detection Laser System

New Detection Laser System
 

Conventional vs. new detection system

Conventional inspection Handheld laser detector Drone-mounted laser detector
Conventional inspection Handheld laser detector Drone-mounted laser detector
 

About ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ͵ÅÄ Corporation

³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ͵ÅÄ Corporation, one of the world’s leading integrated steel producers, was established through the consolidation of NKK Corporation and Kawasaki Steel Corporation in 2003. The company operates several steelworks in Japan and numerous branch offices and affiliates throughout the world. ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ͵ÅÄ leverages world-class technologies and know-how to produce a wide range of products based on its “Only One, Number One” strategy of focusing on unique and best-in-class products. The company reported consolidated sales of 2,255 billion yen and consolidated crude steel output of 23.96 million tons in the fiscal year ended March 2021.

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