A20 Vehicle-Based TDLAS Methane Leak Detection System for Pipeline Inspection

Vehicle-Based TDLAS Methane Leak Detection for Large-Scale Pipeline Inspection

The AiLF Instruments A20 is a vehicle-based natural gas leak inspection system designed for rapid and continuous screening of extensive pipeline networks, industrial facilities and other areas where methane emissions need to be detected and located efficiently.

Unlike a conventional handheld detector that provides measurements at individual inspection points, the A20 combines laser gas analysis, high-precision positioning, geographic information mapping and proprietary leak detection software into an integrated mobile inspection platform.

As the vehicle moves along a designated inspection route, the system continuously collects methane and ethane concentration data and associates each measurement with its geographic location. The results are displayed on a real-time digital map, allowing operators to view the inspection route, gas concentration distribution, anomaly alerts and AI-assisted imaging information in a single interface.

Real-Time Gas Concentration Mapping

The A20 generates a geographic information map showing where gas signals are detected and how concentration levels change along the inspection route.

This visual approach allows inspection personnel to quickly identify:

• Gas concentration anomalies
• Potential leak areas
• Inspection route coverage
• Location-based detection trends
• Areas requiring further investigation

By linking gas measurements directly to geographic coordinates, the system transforms individual gas readings into a spatially traceable pipeline inspection dataset.

TDLAS Laser Methane Detection

The A20 uses Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) to selectively detect methane.

TDLAS measures gas concentration through the characteristic absorption of laser light by the target molecule. For methane detection around the 1.65 μm wavelength region, the technique provides strong spectral selectivity and is suitable for high-sensitivity atmospheric methane measurement.

Compared with non-selective detection approaches, wavelength-specific laser absorption can help reduce interference from common atmospheric components and improve the reliability of trace methane measurements in outdoor environments.

Methane and Ethane Analysis

The integrated methane/ethane analyzer provides more than a single gas concentration reading.

Methane and ethane data can be analyzed together to provide additional information for evaluating natural gas-related anomalies. Combined gas analysis, environmental information and historical inspection data can help operators distinguish potential pipeline-related signals from background variations and prioritize areas for field verification.

High-Precision Positioning

Every gas measurement can be associated with high-precision geographic positioning data.

This enables inspection teams to connect a detected anomaly with an actual location on the road or pipeline corridor, making the system particularly suitable for large-scale network surveys where accurate localization is essential.

AI-Assisted Inspection

The A20 integrates proprietary inspection software and AI-assisted analysis to process multiple sources of inspection information.

By combining gas concentration, geographic location, route information and imaging data, the system can provide real-time anomaly alerts and support more efficient leak investigation.

Instead of simply presenting a concentration value, the platform is designed to help operators answer three practical questions:

Where is the anomaly?
How significant is the detected signal?
Where should the inspection team investigate next?

Designed for Large-Scale Mobile Inspection

Vehicle-based inspection enables operators to survey long pipeline corridors and extensive industrial areas more efficiently than point-by-point manual measurement.

The A20 can be deployed for routine pipeline surveys, periodic network screening and follow-up investigations, helping utilities and industrial operators build a more comprehensive and location-based picture of methane leak risk.

Model	A20	Detection Subject	Methane (CH4 I Ethane (C2H6)
Measuring Principle	Mid infrared laser absorption spec roscopy	Concentration Range	0-10,000 ppm(Methane) I 0-1,000ppm(Ethane)
Resolution	l ppb(Methane) I 0.5ppb(Ethane)	Operating Temperature	-20 ~ 60 °C
Response Time	1s	Main Unit Weight	12 kg
Main Unit Dimension	300 x 300 x 243 mm	Power Supply and Power Consumption	12V DC 120W
Positioning accuracy	< lm	Data Display	Digital, Image, Geographic information image