American Research Journal of Agriculture

The development results of a new methods of aerial (on a helicopter or airplane) infrared (IR) scanning of extensive spaces with the purpose of detecting weak heat sources (fire centers at an early stage of their development) to prevent the occurrence of large-scale fires are presented, and for probing gas main pipelines and detecting gas leaks also is described. IR scanning of pipelines was performed in the wavelength range 8–12 µm by a helicopter flying along the routes of pipelines. In the paper there is presented the description of the IR radiometer as well as the measurement method of point and extended thermal sources wavelength range of 2.5 to 5.5 and 8-12 microns.