Assessment of the Effects of Temperature and CO2 on Methane Leak Detection and Quantification Using Optical Gas Imaging Technologies

Assessing methane (CH4) emissions is critical for mitigating the environmental impact of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) technologies have emerged as effective tools for gas leak detection and quantification; however, their performance under varying environmental conditions and gas compositions remains insufficiently understood. In particular, previous studies have largely overlooked the combined effects of ambient temperature variations and Carbone. Dioxide (CO2) interference on both detection sensitivity and quantification accuracy. This study addresses this gap by systematically investigating the influence of temperature and CO2 on methane detection and quantification using an infrared OGI camera coupled with real-time analysis software. Logistic regression was employed to model detection probability under two temperature conditions at a fixed distance of 45 m. Results show that at 30 °C, the system achieved 50% and 90% detection probabilities at 5.51 and 11.30 kg/h, respectively. In contrast, at −7 °C, detection reliability decreased due to increased false positives, preventing the establishment of robust detection thresholds. However, methane quantification accuracy improved under colder conditions, with 90% of leaks correctly quantified compared to 60% in warmer environments. Furthermore, the presence of CO2 completely inhibited methane detection and quantification. These findings demonstrate the significant and previously underexplored impact of temperature and gas composition on OGI performance, highlighting critical limitations in real-world applications and providing new insights for improving methane monitoring strategies.