Amazing use of Thermography! Fracking and Released Gases

As I've mentioned in the past, one of the people who works for me is a college student. She's taking an environmental science class, or as she not-so-fondly refers to it "Dirt Class." Last week she was excited to see infrared thermal imaging used in yet another real-world setting.

Turns out her class is looking at fracking. Now, no political statements here - fracking is a way to release natural gas for use as a fuel source. It is supposed to be a clean and environmentally friendly way to release this almost un-exhaustible source of fuel. Basically, highly-pressurized water and chemicals is forcibly injected into the rock layer. The rock fractures and gas is released and captured. Fracking is highly controversial.

All that water and chemical has to go somewhere - and that's where my favorite student made the connection. You see, alot of the water is vented back out as steam which appears quite benign. Only through the use of infrared cameras can you see the chemicals also being released into the atmosphere. Here's a video from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (www.gao.gov), entitled Vented Gas Visible Through Infrared Camera.

Now, I sincerely hope you don't have to call me to check for dangerous gas emissions leaking from your home or business - but isn't it nice to know you could? Remember - what you don't see - CAN hurt you.

Interested in learning more? Call me at                         803-328-2889             and let’s talk!

IR Infrared Services provides top quality thermographic service at a competitive price to commercial  users in North Carolina and South Carolina. For more information, visit http://www.irinfraredservices.com/ or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/infraredscans. We are proud to offer the very best thermography services in North Carolina and South Carolina!