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Pollution FindIR
Background
Polluted water contaminating the surface water and drinking water supply has
been identified by the EPA as one of the most serious environmental problems
facing the United States. Leaking sewage collector lines, storm water drain
discharges and illegal taps into storm water drainage lines can often be
identified by their thermal infrared signatures during certain times of the
year. As these sources of pollution leak, seep or empty into creeks, streams,
rivers and lakes, their thermal signatures vary from their surroundings and they
can be pinpointed accurately from the air.
This flow of liquid typically appears warm as compared to the surface water in a
creek, stream, river or lake - particularly during cooler times of the year, due
to the relative warmth of the ground a short distance below the surface. Leaks
from nearby lines often come to the surface through lateral transfer to a creek,
stream, river or lake bed, or to a slope leading down to the surface of the
water. These leak areas and the warm plume of liquid joining and flowing
downstream with the body of water are visible in the thermal infrared spectrum
due to the difference in temperatures of the two liquids. Late fall, winter and
early spring are well suited to this type of inspection because of the different
water temperatures (ground and surface waters) and because the interference to
view by foliage is minimized. Ground water seeps and outfalls of all types are
also easily distinguishable for similar reasons.
How Can Pollution FindIR™ Help Me?
Stormwater collection systems are engineered to discharge into surface waters
to efficiently drain selected areas. All too often these systems convey
pollutants from illicit connections, degraded sanitary sewers and other sources.
Until now, locating these point sources has been a labor-intensive task, often
relying on sampling data from sites that may be blocks or even miles from the
actual source.
Let
Florida Infrared Services Aerial Infrared Thermographers’ Pollution FindIR™ Service do the dirty work
for you… at 100 mph!
Pollution FindIR™ Reports include:
 | Digital image files of selected infrared images with the name coordinated
to the exact location.
 | Printed list of all anomalies, indicating the location of each anomaly by
latitude/longitude and by location/image number.
 | Printed maps indicating the exact location of each anomaly.
 | CD-ROM containing all digital files from the project.
 | VHS videotape copy of the raw infrared imagery. (Original digital copy is
available on request.) |
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Understanding Aerial Infrared Thermography
Infrared imagery is often a grayscale picture whose scales (or shades of
gray) represent the differences in temperature and emissivity of objects in the
image. As a general rule, objects in the image that are lighter in color are
warmer and darker objects are cooler. No object in the images is detected via
visible light wavelengths (400-700 nanometers) rather, only from infrared
wavelengths in the 3000-5000 nanometers or in the 3-5 micrometers range (see the
sample at the end of this document). Lights and other relatively hot objects are
very evident, but as a result of their heat - not light emissions.
When an image is taken with infrared camera, it is often recorded on video tape
and later converted to a digital image file with the help of a computer. The
image may be then modified in a number of ways to enhance its value to the end
user. The highest resolution infrared images are usually found on videotape,
while the printed thermographs and map data may be used as a convenient
reference when accompanying a report.
Advantages of Pollution FindIR™ method...
 | With all system anomalies marked on a map, the system operator can
prioritize areas of concern and concentrate efforts and scarce resources on
problem locations first.
 | The printed report and map data will allow the operator to quickly and
efficiently locate and test suspect areas.
 | Previously inaccessible or hard to reach areas of the system can be
monitored.
 | Straight down, high resolution infrared imagery provides you with accurate
data.
 | Fixed-wing aircraft allow AIT a cost-effective platform to obtain high
quality infrared imagery, passing savings on to you!
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Here’s how it works...
The flow of liquid typically appears warm as compared to the surface water in
a creek, stream, river or lake—particularly during cooler times of the year,
due to the relative warmth of the ground a short distance below the surface.
Leaks from nearby lines often come to the surface through lateral transfer to a
creek, stream, river or lake bed, or to a slope leading down to the surface of
the water. These leak areas and the warm plume of liquid joining and flowing
downstream with the body of water are visible in the thermal infrared spectrum
due to the difference in temperatures of the two liquids. Late fall, winter and
early spring are well suited to this type of inspection because of the different
water temperatures (ground and surface waters) and because the interference to
view by foliage is minimized. Ground water seeps and outfalls of all types are
also easily distinguishable for similar reasons.



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