New technology helps find and prevent harmful methane leaks

Methane is a prime component of natural gas, and also a big contributor to greenhouse gases. Utility companies spend lots of time and money trying to plug methane leaks, but now new leak-seeking technology could make that process faster, cheaper and easier.

Joe Von Fischer, a Colorado State University researcher, has developed an infrared laser methane analyzer which when mounted onto a car can find leaks more quickly. His technology was developed with the Environmental Defense Fund, and uses Google Street View mapping cars to detect leaks over a greater distance in vehicles that cover more ground.

Von Fischer told CGTN’s Hendrik Sybrandy that methane isn’t just a safety issue. Plugging leaks benefits the environment, because methane is a potent greenhouse gas with over 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over a 20-year timeframe.

(CGTN)