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FlowBos cameras - very uncomplicated

FlowBOS camera - Innovative & versatile flow visualization

Precise flow analysis to visualize sustainable fuels – with the FlowBOS cameras, LaVision offers two highly developed systems to visualize gas movements, e.g. in hydrogen or ammonia applications. While the FlowBOS SE camera has been optimized for flexible applications with variable working distances, the FlowBOS LD is specially designed for large-area measurements from a long distance. Both cameras work with the Background Oriented Schlieren (BOS) method to visualize gas flows and gas dispersion in real time – without contaminating particles or fumes.

LaVision FlowBOS camera visualizing and measuring gas and air flows in research and industrial applications

FlowBOS SE camera

The flexible all-round camera for a wide range of flow applications with variable measuring fields.

LaVision FlowBOS LD system visualizing and measuring low-density gas and air flows in research and industrial applications

FlowBOS LD camera

The high-performance camera for large-area measurements with distant natural backgrounds.

Visualization of invisible gases - Detection
of hydrogen and ammonia with FlowBOS

LaVision’s FlowBOS technology enables simple visualization of gas flows that are invisible to the naked eye. Reliable, non-contact detection is essential, especially for safety-critical applications such as monitoring gas leaks.

Making the invisible danger visible: Hydrogen and ammonia are colorless and odorless, making leaks difficult to detect without suitable measuring systems.

Increased safety requirements: Hydrogen is highly flammable, ammonia is toxic – early leak detection is crucial.

Industrial process control: Control of gas distribution in production facilities, laboratories & power plants.

Non-contact & particle-free measurement: No contamination by aerosols or chemical reactions.

Fast and comprehensive analysis: real-time visualization of large areas for efficient inspections.

Areas of application for FlowBOS gas detection

Our measuring systems are relevant for numerous industrial applications:

Close-up of a LaVision FlowMaster imaging system, showing a nozzle injecting fluid and a tablet displaying a Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) visualization of the flow structures.
Leakage detection in hydrogen infrastructures:
Safe handling of hydrogen in fuel cell and tank systems
Monitoring ammonia distribution:
Testing of cooling systems, industrial processes and alternative fuels

Gas analysis in research & development:
Control of experimental tests with gaseous fuels

Safety technology & disaster prevention:
Rapid detection of hazardous gas leaks in industrial and traffic areas

FlowBOS for hydrogen and ammonia - your benefits

  • Early leakage detection – Reduces hazards from explosive or toxic gases
  • Non-contact flow analysis – no direct contact with the gas required
  • Immediate identification and documentation of gas movement
  • Flexible application – scalable measuring ranges for small components up to large-scale industrial plants
  • Seamless integration – compatible with existing security and monitoring systems
Animation showing hydrogen and ammonia gas flows and leak visualization
Animation of hydrogen or ammonia gas flow and leak visualization

System properties

  • Sensitive imaging for thermal and gaseous flows: No use of particles or aerosols necessary
  • Real-time visualization: flows and temperature distributions immediately visible
  • Variable measuring fields: Adaptation to different application sizes and environments
  • Intuitive touchpad operation: control and live visualization via a detachable tablet
  • Tracer gas that is harmless to health: BOS Air with ideal tracking behavior for natural air flows
  • Maximum scalability: measurements at close and long range with flexible camera settings
  • Flexible in sensitivity: adaptation to different air flow velocities and measuring environments
  • Vibration correction & low-noise mode: detection of the smallest flow signals with maximum precision
LaVision FlowBOS SE camera capturing gas and air flows for optical measurement and flow visualization

FlowBOS Camera SE

The FlowBOS Camera SE (Standard Edition) is designed for versatile applications and flexible working distances. It enables real-time visualization of flows using fast computer algorithms. A visible air flow is generated by small light deflections caused by local differences in air composition or temperature, which follow the overall movement of the flow. It is highly sensitive to optical changes, scalable for different measurement ranges and monitors the flow movement in real time. The camera tracks the smallest air movements using light deflections caused by local refractive index changes. It comes in an IP44 housing with interchangeable lenses and has a detachable tablet for intuitive camera control and an interactive view of the flow.

This extremely versatile camera is used to detect leaks, display heat flows in passenger compartments and monitor air conditioning systems.
FlowBOS camera setup for visualizing hydrogen and ammonia gas flows and leaks

FlowBOS LD camera - Reliable
BOS measurement over long distances

The FlowBOS LD camera was specially developed for demanding BOS measurements with large measuring distances and dynamic backgrounds. Thanks to its robust design (IP44), interchangeable lenses and detachable tablet, it offers intuitive control and interactive visualization directly on site.

It is particularly suitable for large-scale outdoor applications, such as the reliable detection and monitoring of hydrogen emissions at pipelines, pumping stations and storage and production facilities.

FlowBOS cameras - Technical specifications

Parameters
FlowBOS Camera SE
FlowBOS LD camera
Working distance
0.5 m to ∞ (infinity)
0.5 m to ∞ (infinity)
Optimum measuring distance
10 % to 80 % of the working distance
25 % to 80 % of the working distance
Detectable temperature difference
> 2 K (for thermal currents)
> 2 K (for thermal currents)
BOS gas concentration
> 5 %* seed gas concentration (*with laminar flow and standard working distance)
> 5 %* seed gas concentration (*with laminar flow and standard working distance)
Spatial resolution
1 % of the field of vision (e.g. 1 cm for 1 m field of vision)
1 % of the field of vision (e.g. 1 cm for 1 m field of vision)
Camera sensor
12 MPix, low noise, 12 bit
2 x 12 MPix, low noise, 12 bit
Live video
25 fps, Full-HD (mpeg4)
5 fps, Full-HD (mpeg4)
Maximum recording time
20 hours
20 hours
Camera unit
250 × 220 × 110 mm³ (IP44)
510 x 425 x 285 mm³ (IP44)

Software & accessory options

FlowBOS system for visualizing hydrogen and ammonia gas flows and leaks
FlowBOS system for visualizing hydrogen and ammonia gas flows and leaks

User-friendly FlowBOS for easy setup, live view, recording and analysis

Interchangeable lenses for flexible adjustment of working distance and field of view
Optional handheld seed devices and software-controlled flow meters
Tracer gas either mixable locally or available pre-mixed from the gas supplier

Leakage detection in hydrogen infrastructures: Safe handling of hydrogen in fuel cell and tank systems

Monitoring of ammonia distribution: testing of cooling systems, industrial processes and alternative fuels

Gas analysis in research & development: control of experimental tests with gaseous fuels

Safety technology & disaster control: Rapid detection of hazardous gas leaks in industrial and traffic areas

We advance your applications with innovative gas flow visualization!

The future belongs to sustainable fuels – with LaVision you can rely on maximum precision, efficiency and safety for the optimum use of innovative energy sources.

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