Gas Leak Detection Technology Becomes Increasingly Important to Sustaining Environmentally Clean Energy

KARMIEL, Israel, January 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Opgal, a world leader in thermal imaging technology, answers the needs of the petro and drilling industry's gas leak detection requirements with its EyeCGas™ Camera System.  EyeCGas, an innovative, unique gas detection camera, has already achieved worldwide success for remotely detecting gas in the industrial environmental market.

The oil & gas industry continues to face increasing safety and environmental constraints, driving stricter regulations. The recent discovery of significant gas reserves off the coasts of Israel is just one example of this growing issue. But the case of the city of Haifa shows that Opgal's camera addresses other environmental hazards beyond those of gas exploration and production.

Benzene, a component of gasoline, is known as a potential contributor to the development of human cancer. Dr. Ofer Dressler, the Director General of the Haifa Bay Urban Association for Environmental Protection, states that "Petrol stations in the Haifa Bay contribute about 15% of the benzene emissions in the area as well as other toxins. It's critical that we continuously monitor these stations." The Haifa Bay Urban Association for Environmental Protection has given top priority to detecting the harmful gas. Opgal's EyeCGas provides a solution to this potential problem as it is used to monitor more than 100 petro stations located within the city of Haifa and will soon also monitor petrochemical plants in the Haifa Bay area.  

EyeCGas, equipped with a 75mm lens, is the only camera of its kind in the world that has been certified for use in sensitive and hazardous locations according to American and European standards (ATEX, CSA, UL). The camera's impressive performance has earned worldwide accolades and has been sold to dozens of companies around the world through its international network of specialized partners and marketing channels.

Opgal's EyeCGas camera technology is based on a unique infrared sensor and algorithms that enable detection of multiple types of hydrocarbon vapors, viewing them as a clear video image on an LCD screen and recording those video images together with an associated audio narration. Assessments conducted by third party laboratories have proven the camera's sensitivity way beyond the minimum EPA requirement of 60 grams per hour. EyeCGas detects methane levels as low as 0.35 grams per hour.

"Gas leaks, as well as being a safety and environmental hazard, constitute a substantial cause of economic losses," states Omer Yanai, Opgal VP of technology innovation and business development. "It's no surprise that in the last year we received many orders from companies that produce and transport gas, petrochemical facilities, and power plants in America, Europe, and Asia. We expect to see this trend grow as a result of increasingly stringent regulations."

Visit Opgal and see EyeCGas at the International CleanTech 2013 Exhibition, January 29 -30, Tel Aviv, Booth #116

About Opgal

Opgal is a leading manufacturer of advanced vision and surveillance solutions. Using state-of-the-art thermal and active-imaging technologies, Opgal leverages advanced electro-optics and image processing expertise to create high- performance, versatile visualization hardware and software products for a variety of markets. Founded in 1983, Opgal is a major supplier to leading contractors and hundreds of customers in over 50 countries. http://www.opgal.com

Media Contact:        
Hila Nagel
Opgal Marketing communications Manager
[email protected]
+972-52-6097349

SOURCE Opgal