Apparatus and Method for Storing and Transporting Data Related to Vapor Emissions and Measurements Thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatus and a methods for collecting, transmitting and storing fugitive gas emission data. An embodiment of the invention collects fugitive gas with a sampling probe and into a emission monitoring device. The device then sends and stores fugitive gas data into a storage medium, such as a wireless data-logging adapter. The wireless-data logging adapter stores the data and wirelessly sends it to a personal digital assistant or other form of redundant memory such as a data logger. In one embodiment, the PDA can initiate commands to retrieve data from the storage medium or operate the emission gas monitoring device.

1 . A method for storing and transporting hydrocarbon emissions data comprising the steps of: 
 (a) storing fugitive ionization emissions data in a storage medium connected to an emissions measuring device at a first location;    (b) sending a digital signal representing the detected level to a personal data assistant over a wireless communications link; and    (c) storing the digital signal representing the detected level on a storage medium within the personal data assistant.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of: 
 uploading the digital signal representing the detected level to one or more data processing devices remote from the first location over a serial data link.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of: 
 uploading the digital signal representing the detected level to one or more data processing devices remote from the first location over a wireless communications link.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein storing the detected level of fugitive ionization emissions further comprises the steps of: 
 (d) inputting one or more commands into the personal data assistant;    (e) receiving the one or more commands at the emissions monitoring device; and    (f) obtaining a fugitive ionization sample via a sampling probe, in response to the one or more commands.