SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Feb. 22, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Gas Imaging Technology, LLC, (GIT) a manufacturer of unique gas imaging and analysis systems that address critical needs for the oil, gas, utility and chemical industries, announces that the Company and Coast Air Surveys, Inc. have successfully tested gas imaging technology for the detection of a propane gas leak from a helicopter at a 1,500 feet slant range while traveling at 60 mph.
Michele Hinnrichs, President of GIT stated, "We are very encouraged by this test. The results support our ability to provide customers with equipment with an increasing range of capabilities and applications. We know of no other current portable equipment that incorporates an infrared camera that includes a patented lens and an imbedded computer that can perform the function of data logging, imaging spectroscopy (for detection and quantification), and digital video recording."
Chris Nielsen, President of Coast Air Surveys, Inc. stated, "From our helicopter, at 60 mph airspeed, 500 feet above ground level, and 1,500 feet slant range, Sherlock clearly imaged a small 10 liter per minute propane leak. This doubled the performance objective I had for this flight evaluation! I am convinced GIT's Sherlock technology will fully support the airborne gas leak detection needs of my company and our customers."
A portion of the video can be accessed from www.coastairsurveys.com/id2.html .
About Coast Air Surveys, Inc.
Formed in 2005, Coast Air Surveys, Inc. (www.coastairsurveys.com) now offers California Government and Industry a California-based company providing not only airborne detection of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), but also the hyper-spectral infrared imaging capability of GIT's Sherlock technology. Combining over two decades of California aviation and infrared sensor experience, the Coast Air Surveys' team merges vast expertise with a new service. Veteran-owned, Coast Air Surveys, Inc. is dedicated to its ethos of integrity, value, and commitment to its customers.
About Gas Imaging Technology, Inc.
Gas Imaging Technology, (GIT) (www.gitint.com) a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pacific Advanced Technology (PAT) (www.patinc.com), is a California corporation located in Santa Barbara County. GIT has an exclusive worldwide license for products that uniquely address compliance with new EPA standards and address critical needs of refineries, power and chemical plants, oil and LNG tankers, as well as many other facilities. More than $14 million has been invested in development of the PAT technology underlying the Sherlock gas imaging and analysis systems. A substantial portion of this funding came from various military, federal and commercial sources including the US Army, US Navy, US Air Force, Missile Defense Agency, DARPA, Department of Energy, State of California, Gas Research Institute, BP and Shell Global Solutions.
Products
The Sherlock VOC -- enables the user to "see" emissions of invisible gases that pose grave environmental hazards and expose refineries, chemical and power plants to the risk of catastrophic fires and explosions. The Sherlock incorporates a mid-wave infrared camera that includes PAT's patented IMSS lens and an imbedded computer that can perform the function of data logging, imaging spectroscopy, and digital video recording.
The Sherlock FE -- being used in field trials to monitor and analyze the efficiency of flares and to continuously monitor smokestack emissions. The Sherlock FE is the only system currently on the market that can analyze flare efficiency. It remotely monitors and generates a pixel-by-pixel quantitative analysis of flares and smokestacks. In many circumstances, this remote monitoring can be done from a location that can be miles from the source.