Nevada Nanotech Systems, Inc. (NevadaNano) provides semiconductor-based gas sensing solutions for many of the world’s largest corporations, with advanced multi-gas sensing products and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) monitoring systems for detecting, quantifying, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The unique attributes that make our sensors perform so well in these applications include the following:
- Intrinsic safety: IECEx Class 1 Div 1 and ATEX Zone 0 certification allows sensor installation close to the leak sources for excellent localization and quantification of the emissions.
- Stable and accurate readings: immunity from poisoning ensures up to 15 years of reliable measurements.
- Extended environmental range (-40 to 75 deg C and up to 100% humidity) provides accurate performance in extreme environments.
- No requirements for periodic field calibration provides the lowest Total Cost of Ownership of all solutions.
- Built-In-Self-Test within the sensors provides automated, continuous assurance of reliable measurements.
- Manufacturing processes and procedures that meet stringent ATEX, UL, IECEx and ISO standards ensure that you receive the highest quality, highest reliability products.
These attributes make our sensors uniquely suited for long term, cost -sensitive monitoring applications such as emissions control applications in the oil and gas industry, since the sensors do not require routine maintenance in the field.
NevadaNano is ISO 9001 approved with an ATEX, FM and IECEx certified and audited global supply chain capable of producing high reliability, life-safety products in high-volume.
MethaneTrack™ Description
MethaneTrack™ is a comprehensive Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) system used to detect and quantify methane emissions for upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas operations. As shown in Figure 1, the system consists of an array of compact, battery-powered sensor modules called “endpoints” that measure the methane concentrations around a site and transmit an encrypted version of those readings to a gateway for transmission to the cloud. The endpoints use the low power LoRa (Long Range) transmission standard for reliable communication in the field. The Gateway transmits encrypted data to the cloud via cellular, satellite, Wi-Fi or ethernet connections.
MethaneTrack™ Architecture
The diagram below shows the architecture of the system from endpoints to the cloud.
Close-Proximity, Continuous Monitoring™
Using Close-Proximity, Continuous Monitoring™, MethaneTrack can identify the location and size of methane leaks, alert maintenance personnel and operations teams of fugitive emissions and track emissions reductions to help companies meet regulatory requirements and reach their emission reduction goals, all while reducing the cost of Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) through digital technology.
Close-Proximity Sensing results in:
- Higher gas concentrations
- Lower false positives
- Faster and More accurate location
- Distinguishing between:
- Fugitive emissions
- Operational emissions
- Improved quantification
MethaneTrack™ Endpoints: Intrinsically safe to enable high performance monitoring with rapid installation
The foundational element of MethaneTrack™ consists of compact battery powered sensor modules called “endpoints (EP).” Each endpoint contains a NevadaNano proprietary Molecular Property Spectrometer™ (MPSTM) sensor, a battery, a microprocessor, and a radio module for transmitting encrypted sensor data to the cloud.
A MethaneTrack™ Endpoint installed near a Thief Hatch
MethaneTrack™ Sensors: Providing XTO with Low Total Cost of Ownership
At the heart of the MethaneTrack™ system is NevadaNano’s proprietary MPS™ sensor, protected by thirty issued patents and over a hundred documented trade secrets. These sensors provide best-in-class performance as the industry’s first sensor not requiring field calibration. Eliminating the need for frequent calibration, (typically multiple times per year with other sensors), enables sensors and endpoints to be installed in remote locations, with the comfort that routine maintenance is not required. With a demonstrated 15+ year life, the MPS™ provides highly attractive total cost of ownership compared to traditional sensors. MPS™ sensors provide excellent performance even in harsh environmental conditions for reliable monitoring of fugitive emissions for the oil and gas industry.
Close-Proximity, Continuous Monitoring™
Using Close-Proximity, Continuous Monitoring™, MethaneTrack can identify the location and size of methane leaks, alert maintenance personnel and operations teams of fugitive emissions and track emissions reductions to help companies meet regulatory requirements and reach their emission reduction goals, all while reducing the cost of Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) through digital technology. MethaneTrack is a cost saving combination of Operations Technology (OT) combined with Information Technology (IT) that provides valuable, time-critical, and actionable information. MethaneTrackTM provides Oil and Gas (O&G) operators with an automated, low cost, low total-cost-of-ownership tool to track methane emissions, the principal component of natural gas, which is not only a vital energy source for the world that holds significant economic value, but also carries significant Global Warming Potential (GWP)
MPS™ Sensor
- Detects Methane or Hydrogen from 50 to 1M ppm (50ppm, 0.1 kg/h) - Other options are available
- No Field Calibration
- Inherently immune to poisoning
- Wide environmental operating range (-40 to 75 deg C and up to 100% humidity)
- Built-in environmental compensation (T, RH, P)
- Very accurate across the environmental range
- 15+ year lifetime of the sensor
Historical data is always a powerful argument when demonstrating new technology, this couldn’t be more poignant when introducing a sensor that doesn’t need regular calibration, doesn’t deteriorate or drift unlike traditional gas sensing technology. NevadaNano manufactured and calibrated a group of MPS sensors back in early 2017 and these sensors have been running continuously for 6 years. During this period no calibrations were performed, we have seen no deterioration, no drift, and despite being regularly exposed to combustible gases, accuracy remains within specifications!
Sensor Options
Methane Only
All Hydrocarbons
Methane + Hydrogen
MethaneTrack Installation: Rapid Installation
The MethaneTrack system is designed for rapid installation by standard field technicians. Battery power eliminates the need for solar panels or wiring to power the endpoints and the endpoints clamp to existing infrastructure with heavy duty hose clamps as shown in the photos below. Typical installations can be completed in under 2 hours.
Because the endpoints are intrinsically safe, they can be installed close to potential leak sources which improves the accuracy of the results.
Customer Success Stories
- OGMP / LDAR
- From an efficiency perspective continuous monitoring provides the most efficient and real time information of your assets
- Detects and quantifies incident based venting events and emissions
- Activity factor
- Continuous monitoring system identifies the source and quantifies the emissions
- Provides automated alerts
- Prioritizes largest leaks for maximum emissions reduction
- Discriminates between operational and fugitive emissions to reduce LDAR costs
- Integrates with asset management software
- Improves operational efficiency
- Enables predictive analytics and optimization of preventive maintenance programs