Molex Corporation

United States Environmental Protection Agency

Wenfeng Peng

Mariusz Kloza

Alexander S Chernyshov

Miao Xu

Amram Netanel Afenzer

Ling-Ying Lin

Alissa Nedossekina

Eben Daniel Thoma

Roger John Hilarides

Jingxue Xu

Ling-Yin Lin

Marko Frank Spiegel

Deborah Lynn Preschler

Debra Jean Cartwright

Michael Stephen Clausewitz

Barry William Kelley

David Randall Massner

A smart digital computer platform is disclosed that collects, analyzes, and/or renders appropriate information about fugitive emissions identified by a sensor network-based emissions monitoring system in a facility. More specifically to the methods used by the smart digital computer platform to analyze, filter, and transform the collected monitoring data into a visual output that is capable of being rendered on a graphical user interface (GUI) on a screen display with, in some embodiments, a restricted form factor. For example, smart analytics may be used to cull, filter, and transform the data displayed in a pop-up dialog box on a GUI. In another example, the transformed data may be translated into a visual, graphical element that conveys an abundance of appropriate, tailored information to a particular type of user viewing the GUI.

Smart digital computer platform to display fugitive emissions of a facility

An electrode stack assembly includes an electrically insulative substrate having a cavity therethrough extending, a first counter electrode on a top surface thereof and extending through the substrate, a second sensing electrode on a bottom surface thereof and extending through the substrate, and a third electrode having a top body portion on a top of the substrate, a bottom body portion on a bottom of the substrate, and a coupling pin passing through the substrate and electrically coupling the top and bottom body portions. The third electrode electrically separates the pin of the sensing electrode from the counter electrode.

Photoionization detector and method of operating same

A gas sensor network system provides near real-time monitoring of fugitive emissions of VOC compounds in chemical plants and facilities. The present disclosure provides a sensor placement method which determines where to place sensors within a facility. The sensor placement method includes obtaining plant layout, gas composition, meteorological conditions and/or other types of information regarding a facility, determining the types of gas and ancillary sensors needed, and generating the minimum detection distances required based on the sensitivities of the sensors to the gas compounds involved. And, then calculating the minimal number of sensors required for each sensor type with optimized sensor locations to ensure best coverage of potentially leaking components within the facility.

Systems and methods for placing networked sensors within a facility for fugitive emissions monitoring

Computer systems, methods, and apparatuses for estimating changes in gas emissions are described. A computer system may monitor overall emission levels based on sensor outputs from a plurality of gas sensors in a facility. The computer system may estimate a total emission level over a time interval based on the accumulative, gas-response-factor weighted detections of the gas sensors. Emissions from maintenance activities may be excluded as appropriate. The total emission level may be compared with total emission level estimated from different time intervals and/or different facilities. The computer system may be further used for comparing emissions across multiple facilities, or emissions from facilities across multiple regions.

Computer systems and methods for estimating changes in fugitive emissions

The present disclosure provides a leak monitoring system and associated method which is being configured to detect plumes of volatile organic compounds (VOC) as an alternative solution to the EPA Method 21, which measures VOC concentrations at the surface of each component. The leak monitoring system is a multi-layered system that includes monitoring performed by sensors that are fixed in place and sensors that are mobile. Each monitoring method is a layer and it complements and augments other layers. All the sensors wirelessly communicate with a central control through a gateway. The control unit further includes a software platform, which analyzes the data provided by the sensors in combination with other informetrics such as meteorological conditions and plant info to both identify the presence of a gas leak and to pinpoint a general location of the gas leak. When a significant gas leak is identified, the control unit sends an alert to plant managers via text or email, in addition to activating visual and/or audible alarms.

Leak monitoring systems and methods of utilizing same

A sensor is provided for detecting small concentrations of volatile organic compounds in ambient air. The sensor has a lamp assembly and a gas sampling chamber assembly which are operatively associated. The gas sampling chamber assembly has an ionization chamber and an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly has sensing, counter and auxiliary electrodes and circuitry. The electrodes are positioned within the ionization chamber and are separated from one another. The circuitry is configured to apply a voltage difference to the sensing and counter electrodes, control an electrical potential of the auxiliary electrode to be substantially equal to an electrical potential of the counter electrode, measure/estimate a current at the sensing electrode and at the auxiliary electrode, determine a difference between the current at the sensing electrode and the current at the auxiliary electrode, and correct the current at the sensing electrode by using the difference.

Ionization device and method of operating same

An area monitoring device is placed in a location to monitor volatile organic compounds emissions. The device includes a gas sensor capable of detecting VOCs, a sorbent material capable of absorbing VOC molecules, and a heating element positioned in close relation to, or in direct contact with, the sorbent material. After a period of time during which the sorbent material absorbs VOC molecules, the sorbent material is heated to cause the sorbent material to release a gas containing VOC molecules. The amount of released VOC molecules is sensed and calculated. Data is compiled and analyzed. This is accomplished without removing the device from the location. A pump may be provided to force ambient air through the device.

Growing community of inventors

North Aurora, IL, United States of America

Wenfeng Peng