MetScan Nano 1F, forward-facing drone methane detection, TDLAS laser

Screening an installation for methane leaks without flying over it

The MetScan Nano 1F measures methane by open-path laser spectroscopy (diffuse-reflection OP-TDLAS): the beam travels forwards, reflects off the targeted equipment and returns to the sensor, which derives the methane column crossed, in ppm·m. The drone stays at a safe distance and scans the components of a gas installation, a compressor station, a landfill or a wastewater treatment plant. The target gas is methane only, with no interference from other gases.

Designed for the DJI Matrice 4D / 4TD and the Dock 3

The sensor connects to the E-Port of the DJI Matrice 4D / 4TD, with mount supplied and no integration kit. It is controlled in DJI Pilot 2 via PSDK, which provides it with the drone’s position. From a DJI Dock 3, the same flight paths are repeated automatically, day after day: the typical set-up for recurring LDAR monitoring programmes on a site. Details for each drone are given in our AIRINS and DJI compatibility table.

Nano 1F or Nano 1D: forward-facing or downward-facing

Both MetScan Nano detectors share the same laser and the same measuring range. The Nano 1F points forwards, at 1 to 5 Hz, to inspect elevated equipment; it does not estimate the position of the laser spot and relies on synchronisation with the drone’s camera. The Nano 1D points downwards, at around 50 Hz, to scan a strip of land or a pipeline; it calculates the 2D position of the measured point from the drone’s position. For longer range, a 3-axis gimbal and Sector Scan on the Matrice 400 and 350, see the MetScan V1P.

Ultra and Standard versions

The Standard version covers 2D visualisation in AIRINS.ai, with CSV and KML exports and 30 hours of video storage. The Ultra version adds 3D visualisation, Sector Scan, GeoJSON and Shapefile exports, import of orthoimages and models, mission merging, MQTT transfer and deployment on your own servers, with 250 hours of video storage. An upgrade from Standard to Ultra remains possible after purchase. Both versions are available on quotation.

AIRINS.ai, included with purchase

The AIRINS.ai software is included with purchase, for perpetual use with one unit and one main account, together with one year of remote technical support and updates. A subscription is available as an alternative to purchase. The sensor is controlled in DJI Pilot 2; AIRINS.ai is used for analysis: heat maps, hotspots ranked in ppm·m, PDF or DOCX reports for your LDAR and OGMP 2.0 programmes, GIS exports. Data is transferred via USB-C; a 4G connection is available as an option.

Warranty, calibration and service life

Warranty. Standard one-year warranty. The extension can only be purchased with the initial order, at 20% of the total product value per additional year, up to two years of extension. After the warranty period, the hardware and software remain fully usable.

Calibration. Units are factory-calibrated before shipment. Recalibration is recommended every 12 months in a stable operating environment. If working conditions change (temperature, measurement environment), some modules require their zero point to be readjusted. Two methods are available:

• By the customer. Injection of a calibration gas or comparison with the reference equipment of a measuring station. The new correction factor is calculated using the manufacturer’s formula, then saved in the calibration interface of the AIRINS.ai platform.
• By return to the factory, for annual inspection and calibration. Free of charge during the warranty period, with shipping costs borne by the customer. Outside the warranty, it is invoiced according to the inspection results, with costs communicated for prior approval.

Service life. 3 years on average, depending on how often the unit is used and the concentration levels encountered. This lifetime is shorter with frequent use in heavily polluted areas.

Technical specifications

Measuring principle	Diffuse-reflection OP-TDLAS, open-path, methane only
Linear measuring range	100 to 50,000 ppm·m
Laboratory limit of detection	5 ppm·m
Accuracy	Relative error of 10% at most, at 20 m, for plumes of 1,000 to 50,000 ppm·m
Typical distances	150 m for 30,000 ppm·m, 50 m for 1,000 ppm·m, in static horizontal detection
Measurement frequency	Configurable from 1 to 5 Hz
Response time	Configurable from 5 to 100 ms, 15 ms by default
Viewing direction	Forward-facing, for screening components and equipment
Rangefinder	No dedicated rangefinder
Laser spot location	No estimate of the point of impact; sensor position and orientation recorded, visual synchronisation with the drone’s camera
Gimbal	2-axis (roll and pitch), angular accuracy 0.01°
Laser class	3R
Hazardous area (ATEX)	No
Operating temperature	-20 to +50 °C
Humidity	Under 95% RH
Ingress protection	IP54
Weight	235 g to within 5 g
Power and positioning	DJI E-Port; drone position provided by the DJI PSDK
Drones	DJI Matrice 4D / 4TD, mount supplied; automated missions from the DJI Dock 3; also compatible with DJI Matrice 4E / 4T and Matrice 30 / 30T
Interface	DJI Pilot 2; AIRINS.ai for data analysis
Connectivity	Data transfer via USB-C; 4G as an option
Software	AIRINS.ai included with purchase, Ultra and Standard versions

See the MetScan Nano 1F in action

Order from Drone Parts Center

Drone Parts Center, official AIRINS reseller for the Benelux, helps you choose the right MetScan for your sites and provides training in Nivelles or at your site. Request a quote: purchase orders accepted from public authorities, intra-EU VAT-exempt invoicing for VAT-registered businesses. Explore the full AIRINS range and our environmental monitoring solutions.