Distran: Industrial Acoustic Imaging – The Next Generation of Gas Leak Detection

In industry, a gas leak is never a minor issue. It can create an immediate safety risk for personnel, increase the likelihood of incidents in ATEX zones, reduce process reliability, and generate continuous energy losses that impact operating costs. The most critical challenge is that a pressurized leak can remain invisible for a long time, especially within complex, ventilated or noisy installations.

Compressed air, hydrogen, process gases, steam, industrial gases, the objective remains the same: detect quickly, locate precisely, quantify reliably, and decide rapidly on corrective actions. This is exactly what ultrasonic acoustic imaging enables, an approach that transforms leak detection into a visual, measurable and standardizable inspection process.

For years, leak detection has relied on two main approaches: concentration measurement using sensors and manual point-by-point inspection.

Concentration measurement is effective in certain scenarios, but it has structural limitations. It depends on the target gas, often requires regular calibration, and becomes less efficient in highly ventilated environments or when leaks are located at a distance. In addition, the search process can be slow when operators must inspect each potential area sequentially.

Manual methods such as bubble spray, tracer gas solutions, or individual fitting inspections are time-consuming and difficult to standardize. On industrial sites, this often results in lengthy inspection campaigns with significant variability depending on operator experience, equipment accessibility and site conditions. As a result, some leaks go unnoticed or are detected too late.

A pressurized gas leak naturally generates ultrasound. Acoustic imaging detects these ultrasonic signals and converts them into a visual representation overlaid onto the optical image. In practical terms, the camera pinpoints the acoustic source, displays its location, and allows the operator to identify the leak within seconds.

This approach offers several key advantages. It does not rely on chemical sensors, it is not limited to a single gas type, and it enables contactless detection at a distance. It is therefore particularly valuable in constrained access areas, noisy environments, or high-risk industrial settings.

Acoustic imaging solutions also provide operational measurements, leak rate quantification in L/h or g/h depending on the model, estimation of annual financial losses, and visual evidence through photos or videos. Leak detection becomes not just identification, but a true decision-support tool.

From Detection to Decision: Locate, Quantify, Prioritize

In real-world conditions, the question is not only “Is there a leak?” but rather “Where is it, how large is it, what is its impact, and what should be addressed first?” Acoustic imaging answers these four questions in a structured way.

Locate: the leak is visualized, significantly accelerating inspection on flanges, valves, fittings, compressed air networks and process equipment.
Quantify: real-time leak rate measurement, with integrated gas models depending on the equipment, helps compare leaks objectively.
Prioritize: annual cost estimation enables maintenance decisions based on return on investment rather than perception alone.
Standardize: inspections become repeatable, traceable and reportable.

Within the Distran ecosystem, two complementary applications are typically distinguished: portable inspection and fixed continuous monitoring.

A portable camera is ideal for maintenance rounds, compressed air audits, utility inspections and preventive controls. It offers flexibility, allowing operators to cover multiple areas quickly and focus on suspicious points. Portable systems enable fast detection, localization and quantification without tripods or post-processing.

A fixed system addresses a different need: continuous 24/7 monitoring of critical areas where leaks must be detected immediately, with automated alerts and event logging. This approach is particularly relevant for sensitive environments, high-risk sites, ATEX installations, offshore platforms and process units where operational continuity is essential.

To simplify positioning, Distran solutions can be categorized according to criticality level, inspection frequency and automation requirements.

On site, challenges are not only technical but operational. Installations are extensive, noise sources are numerous, some areas are elevated or difficult to access, and operator safety must be preserved.

Acoustic imaging is particularly effective in these contexts. It enables remote inspection, broad field of view coverage and reduced time spent close to equipment. Certain solutions offer wide acoustic fields of view combined with optical overlays and indicators that assess sound quality conditions to optimize inspection strategy.

Beyond detection, industrial value also lies in documentation and communication. Annotated images, event videos, leak rate estimations and exportable reports facilitate planning, action tracking and budget justification.

Reports industrialize the process: evidence is preserved, results are compared over time, post-repair impact is measured, and historical data supports audits and compliance requirements. For organizations equipped with CMMS systems, export capabilities and API integration accelerate the loop between inspection, ticket creation, intervention and verification.

Preventive Electrical Maintenance: Detecting Partial Discharges with Ultrasound

In hazardous areas, compliance is non-negotiable. Certifications and protection ratings play a major role depending on the environment, particularly for ATEX sites and sensitive installations. Equipment selection must align certification levels with actual operational conditions.

In hazardous areas, compliance is non-negotiable. Certifications and protection ratings play a major role depending on the environment, particularly for ATEX sites and sensitive installations. Equipment selection must align certification levels with actual operational conditions.

Industrial acoustic imaging transforms gas leak detection into a modern, fast and repeatable process. It makes leaks visible, measurable and actionable, accelerating inspections, improving safety and sustainably reducing energy losses.

By combining portable inspection for routine rounds with fixed monitoring for critical zones, industrial operators can cover the entire cycle: prevention, detection, prioritization, correction, documentation and follow-up.

If you want to structure a leak audit strategy on your site, define the right equipment according to your operational constraints, or estimate the return on investment of a detection campaign, contact GazDetect. We help you select the most suitable Distran solution, Ultra Pro Lite, Ultra Pro Max, SonicView or SonicView X, and implement an efficient, standardized inspection methodology.