Apparatus, systems, and methods for hydrocarbon gas detection and differentiation

A system for hydrocarbon gas detection and differentiation, the system comprising:

• an apparatus for hydrocarbon gas detection and differentiation, the apparatus comprising:
• a sensing unit comprising an inlet at an inlet end, a channel in fluid communication with the inlet, and a sensor in fluid communication with the channel, the sensor at an end of the channel opposite the inlet end;
• a housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, the first housing portion for receiving a linear actuator, the linear actuator operatively coupleable to the sensing unit proximal to the inlet, and the second housing portion for receiving at least a portion of the inlet end of the sensing unit and comprising at least one chamber;
• and
• a closure member housed within the second housing portion and adjacent the inlet, the closure member actuatable between a closed state and an open state by the linear actuator, wherein the at least one chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet when the closure member is in the open state;
• a processor for data collection;
• and
• a power source.

A method of hydrocarbon gas detection and differentiation, the method comprising:

• providing hydrocarbon gases to a chamber of an apparatus for hydrocarbon gas detection and differentiation, the apparatus comprising:
• a sensing unit comprising an inlet at an inlet end, a channel in fluid communication with the inlet, and a sensor in fluid communication with the channel, the sensor at an end of the channel opposite the inlet end;
• a housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, the first housing portion for receiving a linear actuator, the linear actuator operatively coupleable to the sensing unit proximal to the inlet, and the second housing portion for receiving at least a portion of the inlet end of the sensing unit and comprising at least one chamber;
• and
• a closure member housed within the second housing portion and adjacent the inlet, the closure member actuatable between a closed state and an open state by the linear actuator;
• collecting baseline data with the closure member in a closed state of a first time interval;
• actuating the linear actuator to an extended state, thereby exposing the channel to the hydrocarbon gas for a second time interval;
• collecting exposure data during the second time interval;
• and
• processing the baseline data and the exposure data.