Color Hydrogen Flame Imaging System 

Duncan Technologies, Inc. (DTI)

Auburn, CA 
 

The DTI system provides color images of invisible hydrogen flames

• The product is being manufactured commercially in small production runs.
• Using two charge-coupled devices (CCDs) in the near-infrared and one in the visible, the system identifies the flame image and superimposes it real-time onto a color video image of the scene
• The imaging device can detect a three-inch flame from 150 feet 
• The system outputs standard NTSC and S-Video signals and can be used as a color surveillance camera in the absence of a hydrogen fire
• User selectable output modes provide display of the infrared, color or superimposed image

• Potential users of the hydrogen flame color imaging system include hydrogen suppliers, refineries, petroleum companies, food and semiconductor processors, the fertilizer industry, cosmetic companies, the hydrogen vehicle monitoring and maintenance industry, and the race car industry
• This system can replace the risky “broom method” of detecting invisible flames. This method involves waving a cornstraw broom around a suspicious area in hopes the broom will ignite to reveal the fire
• Thermal imaging and vidicon systems image non-flame sources and do not reference the surrounding color scene
• DTI is in the process of working a commercial sale with an American automotive manufacturer
• DTI is also pursuing sales from other NASA field centers
 

• Stennis Space Center is using the prototype system developed through the SBIR program to monitor hydrogen flame stacks during turbopump and other rocket component testing at its E-2 Facility
• Stennis purchased six systems for use in its E-1 Facility for use in testing hybrid rocket motors, turbomachinery and small rocket engines

 

 

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