Fluorescence measurement system for detecting leaks from subsea systems and structures

Abstract

A system for detecting leaks from a subsea system is disclosed which includes at least one subsea structure anchored to a sea floor, a fluorescence detector attached to the subsea structure, the fluorescence detector adapted to generate a light beam having a wavelength that will fluoresce material leaking from the subsea system when the material is irradiated with the light beam, and a camera adapted to observe the fluorescence of the material as it is being irradiated by the light source.

1 . A system for detecting leaks from a subsea system, comprising:
 at least one subsea structure anchored to a sea floor;   a fluorescence detector fixedly positioned proximate the subsea structure, the fluorescence detector adapted to generate a light beam having a wavelength that will fluoresce material leaking from the subsea system when the material is irradiated with said light beam; and   a camera adapted to observe the fluorescence of the material as it is being irradiated by the light source.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one subsea structure is a Christmas tree. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said camera is also fixedly positioned proximate to said subsea structure. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluorescence detector is movable so as to direct said light beam in different directions. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said fluorescence detector is operatively coupled to a pan and tilt scanning stage. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said camera is operatively coupled to a pan and tilt scanning stage. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said light beam has a wavelength of approximately 349 nm and is adapted to fluoresce a hydrocarbon material. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said light beam is adapted to be projected for a distance of at least 2 meters. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said light beam is adapted to irradiate at least 0.5 m 3  of water. 
   
   
       10 . A system for detecting leaks from a subsea system, comprising:
 at least one subsea structure anchored to a sea floor;   a fluorescence detector attached to the subsea structure, the fluorescence detector adapted to generate a light beam having a wavelength that will fluoresce material leaking from the subsea system when the material is irradiated with said light beam, wherein said light beam is adapted to irradiate at least 0.5 m 3  of water and to be projected for a distance of at least 2 meters; and   a camera adapted to observe the fluorescence of the material as it is being irradiated by the light source.   
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said camera and said fluorescence detector are packaged together as a single unit. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said camera is also attached to said subsea structure. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the fluorescence detector is movable so as to direct said light beam in different directions. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said fluorescence detector is operatively coupled to a pan and tilt scanning stage. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said camera is operatively coupled to a pan and tilt scanning stage. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said light beam has a wavelength of approximately 349 nm and is adapted to fluoresce a hydrocarbon material. 
   
   
       17 . A system for detecting leaks from a subsea system, comprising:
 at least one subsea structure anchored to a sea floor;   a fluorescence detector attached to the subsea structure, the fluorescence detector adapted to generate a light beam having a wavelength that will fluoresce material leaking from the subsea system when the material is irradiated with said light beam, wherein said light beam has a wavelength of approximately 349 nm and is adapted to fluoresce a hydrocarbon material; and   a camera attached to the subsea structure, the camera adapted to observe the fluorescence of the material as it is being irradiated by the light source.   
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the fluorescence detector is movable so as to direct said light beam in different directions. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said fluorescence detector is operatively coupled to a pan and tilt scanning stage. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said camera is operatively coupled to a pan and tilt scanning stage. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said light beam is adapted to be projected for a distance of at least 2 meters. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said light beam is adapted to irradiate at least 0.5 m 3  of water.