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UE Systems, the industry’s leading manufacturer of portable and continuous ultrasonic instruments for leak detection, has secured the patent for a method of calculating and reporting greenhouse gas emissions from a leak survey, according to Doug Waetjen, Global Operations for UE Systems.
The emissions readings are now installed as part of the company’s Ultratrend data management software.
“This patent adds a great deal of new value, customization and capability to the already industry-leading Ultratrend DMS™,” says Waetjen.
The Ultratrend DMS can now create reports that, along with providing compressed air leak information, also breaks down gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide. The greenhouse gas data measurements are based on state electricity profiles by the Energy Information Administration; Office of Coal, Nuclear, Electric and Alternative Fuels; and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Traditionally, when taking a comprehensive leak detection survey, all data collected from using one of UE Systems’ digital instruments is downloaded to the Ultratrend DMS, which filters the data and allows the user to set up a report on an excel spreadsheet. The survey allows the user to store information in each tested group location, converting the decibel levels of each leak into CFM measurement, which is used to calculate both the cost of a leak and the amount of greenhouse gases generated by producing the electricity used to compress the air that is wasted. In addition to greenhouse gases, the software is also used for other gases such as compressed air, argon, helium, hydrogen and nitrogen.
The motivating factor behind creating and implementing a compressed gas report has always been to assist reporting for compressed air leaks, which has long been and remains one of the most costly utilities found at plants.
The Ultratrend DMS report offers both a detailed monthly survey of data, and a global annualized summary of leak volume and potential cost savings once fixed. Monthly data includes details for each leak including location, size, the identified cost, the identified energy avoidance (measured in kWh), and, thanks to the patent, the identified amount of CO2, NO and SO2. Users now come away with a report offering three vital items: the identification of specific leaks repaired, the actualized cost saved and the actualized greenhouse gas savings for each.
“By being able to view unrepaired leaks in a report, users can manage the repair process to assure that the savings from a survey are realized,” says Waetjen.
Through prompts on the spreadsheet, users can adjust the cost factors for their geographic area, and make shifts depending upon whether the plant is operational 24 hours a day or less. And with the patented technology, users can now also change their greenhouse gas usage numbers based on their region.
“We’re excited about this new technology, both from a cost-savings and planet-saving perspective,” says Waetjen.
About UE Systems
For more than 35 years, UE has produced thousands of ergonomically designed, portable, and incredibly accurate airborne/structure-borne ultrasonic instruments. UE (uesystems.com) is the world's leading manufacturer of advanced portable and online ultrasonic systems, which includes the famous Ultraprobe®. Used in energy conservation, predictive maintenance, safety and quality assurance programs around the world, UE Systems helps companies increase productivity and asset availability while eliminating downtime and energy consumption from most plant machinery.
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