FLIR Systems New Thermacam® GasFind Rr-LW
Infrared Camera Can Sense Sulfur Hexafluoride (Sf6)
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Based on
a unique, patent-pending technology, FLIR’s GasFindIR-LW is a one-of-a-kind
infrared camera designed to help the U.S. Environmental Agency and utility
companies to better control Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) emissions in order to
preserve the environment now and for future generations. In addition to the
“greenhouse gas” SF6, the versatile GasFindIR-LW can also detect more than 20
other gases floating in the atmosphere.
BOSTON, Massachusetts (April 3, 2007) – FLIR Systems,
the global leader in infrared cameras, has announced its latest in
ground-breaking infrared technology - the ThermaCAM® GasFindIR-LW infrared
camera. Based on a first-of-its-kind, patent-pending technology, the
GasFindIR-LW can detect Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6), the colorless, odorless,
nontoxic, and nonflammable “greenhouse gas” that is used as an insulator in
high voltage equipment by the electric utility industry. SF6, although
considered to be an excellent dielectric gas, has been targeted for emissions
reductions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency because pound for pound,
Sulfur Hexafluoride contributes more to the greenhouse effect than any other
gas.
In fact, one pound of SF6 has the same global warming impact of 11 tons
of CO2. It has 23,900 times the global warming potential of CO2 and has
an atmospheric lifetime of 3,200 years. Together, the
EPA and many of the major utilities companies are working to find ways to
better control SF6 emissions to help to preserve the earth.
FLIR’s revolutionary GasFindIR-LW is lightweight, ergonomic, and easy to
operate. It weighs only 4.6 pounds and is powered by a camcorder battery. The GasFindIR-LW enables thermographers to find SF6
gas leaks up to hundreds of feet away quickly and easily. Capable of scanning
large areas, the GasFindIR-LW delivers real-time, high resolution thermal
images of gas leaks that can be displayed on a standard TV or recorded
digitally using the latest real time digital recording technology.
“I believe electric utilities are just as anxious to find these problems
as the environmental enforcement community. Until now, they have not had
the right tool to quickly localize leaks and assess their severity,” said Tom
Scanlon, Vice President for FLIR Systems. “Utilities now have that tool
and can take the corrective actions necessary to quickly decrease their SF6
emissions.”
The unique GasFindIR-LW camera can detect more than 20
other gases in addition to SF6 – making it ideal for not only the utility
industry, but for other manufacturing companies as well. These gases include: Acetylchloride, Allyl Bromide, Allyl
Chloride, Allyl Fluoride, 1,3-Butadiene, Ethylene,
Freon 11, Freon 12, Freon 112, Freon 113, Freon 114, Methylsilane, Methyl Vinyl
Ketone, Methyl Vinyl Ether, Propenal, Propene, Styrene, Trichloroethylene,
Vinyl Chloride, Vinyl Ether, and Vinylidene Fluoride.
FLIR’s GasFindIR-LW camera is expected to be in full
production by Summer 2007.
For more information, contact FLIR Systems at
www.flirthermography.com .
