CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY

Introducing the new BlueHawk™ and TinyHawk™ sensors for continuous non-contact monitoring and early detection of oil/fuel spills & leaks, harmful algal blooms and colored dissolved organic matter, powered by patented LED-based design to deliver industry-leading features and highly reliable detection.

powerful detection capabilities

The Hawks detect green and blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) and virtually all types of oils and liquid petroleum products, from crude oils to gasoline, jet fuels and other light refined products, in choppy, lotic, and lentic waters, and on all dry surfaces, featuring an extensive sensor-to-surface detection range and superior sensitivity.

INSTALLS & WORKs EVERYWHERE

Our sensors are ideal for various applications, including water reservoirs and intakes, ports, petroleum storage tanks and pipeline systems, oil refineries, and waterbodies from creeks to rivers, lakes and oceans. Hawks offer fixed & mobile deployment and maintenance-free operation, making them a top choice for diverse settings.

Example Applications for Non-contact Real-time Oil Spill & Leak Detection and HAB Monitoring 

Bodies of water
Reservoirs & water intakes
Ports
Harbors & marinas
Oil platforms
Oil refineries
Storage tank farms
Pipeline systems
Fuel & oil terminals
Military installations

Principle of Operation

BlueHawk and TinyHawk are fluorometric sensors that project ultraviolet (UV) or visible excitation light pulses onto the monitored surface. When the light interacts with hydrocarbons found in petroleum products, or with photosynthetic pigments found in blue-green and green algae, it induces the emission of light, known as fluorescent light. The sensor detects this light and measures its intensity. Upon reaching a user-defined threshold, the sensor sends an alarm notification for response via wired or wireless methods. The sensor can also transmit continuous measurement data to various monitoring applications.  

BlueHawk installed in port for water monitoring

Leading Fluorosensor Technology for Continuous Near-Field Remote Sensing of Hydrocarbon Spills, Leaks and Harmful Algal Blooms

The sensors’ unique features provide an extensive range of applications, advantages and benefits for users, outperforming traditional sensors virtually in every category:

COAXIAL OPTICS AND HIGHEST SCAN RATE ON MARKET PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL SENSITIVITY AND RELIABILITY

In contrast to conventional fluorosensors, Hawks’ patented LED-based coaxial optical design delivers unmatched detection reliability. Large apertures provide superior light delivery and signal-to-noise ratio, boosting sensitivity to detect even smallest leaks, spills and concentrations while avoiding false alarms. Continuous built-in self-testing, LED monitoring and power control functions ensure peak performance in any conditions.

Industry-leading scan rates enable operation 5x faster than traditional sensors, ideal for monitoring rough, choppy, and fast-flowing waters.

UVA / UVB WAVELENGTH BANDS OFFER UTMOST VERSATILITY WITH WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS

Available ultraviolet A and B (UVA & UVB) wavelength bands allow Hawks to accurately detect a broad spectrum of hydrocarbons that conventional UVA-only sensors struggle with or completely miss.

While UVA excels in detecting crude oils and heavier petroleum products, the detection of lighter refined liquids like gasoline, naphtha, and jet fuels, greatly benefit from the use of UVB. 

EXTRA-LONG DETECTION RANGE AND BROAD SCAN ANGLE OFFER UNPARALLELED INSTALLATION FLEXIBILITY

With a 33+ ft (10+ meter) detection range, Hawks can be installed on wharfs, piers, oil and marine terminals, oil platforms, canals, bridges, deep sumps, vessels, and other distant platforms.

Hawks are highly tolerant to varying surface distances, enabling reliable monitoring in areas with high waves and large tidal variations.

An extraordinarily wide ±45° scan/installation angle range expands deployment options in environments where conventional sensors fail, enabling installation also on pan-tilt mounts for large-area monitoring, and improving the detection accuracy in rough and choppy waters with continuously changing surface topographies.

SMALLEST SIZE, LIGHTEST WEIGHT, LOWEST POWER USAGE, HIGHEST NEMA (IP) RATING AND ATEx OPTION FOR THE MOST CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENTS

Leveraging the latest optical and electronic innovations, Hawks achieve unprecedented compactness, light weight, and ultra-low power consumption. This enables novel deployments such as cramped sump monitoring, solar-powered buoys, aerial drones, and other battery-powered applications.

Boasting unrivaled NEMA 6P (IP68) rated standard enclosures, Hawks work in demanding environments, impervious to corrosion, chemicals, and even temporary submersion.

Optional ATEx-certified enclosures enable deployment in hazardous and explosive environments across industries like oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical, and mining.

connectivity, WIRED & WIRELESS ALARMS, STANDALONE/NETWORKED OPERATION, EXISTING MONITORING NETWORKS, surface distance MEASUREMENT, data logger 

User-friendly software allows for remote access and sensor configuration directly from the control center, and versatile connectivity options make it possible to transmit alarm notifications and continuous data by wired or wireless means.

The sensors can operate standalone or as part of a proprietary sensor network, allowing for real-time monitoring using up to 128 units simultaneously within the same easy-to-expand system.

Hawks can also work with various existing environmental monitoring networks. To verify compatibility, feel free to contact us to discuss required communication protocol and data format.

With optional surface distance measurement, the sensors further improve detection accuracy, amidst widely fluctuating water levels, for example. Hawks can also be equipped with a data logger for recording the sensors’ digital output.

blue-green and green algae: fluorometric detection and measurement

Hawk sensors precisely detect and measure the amount of blue-green and green algae in water. This is achieved by analyzing the levels of specific fluorescent pigments within these organisms.

Each sensor is configured based on the target algae. Chlorophyll-a, found in all algae, serves as a baseline measurement, and additional pigments can be used for more specific identification: Phycocyanin reveals the presence of freshwater or marine blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), and detecting phycoerythrin pinpoints marine blue-green algae specifically.

Hawks’ non-contact detection method eliminates the need for physical contact with the water, resulting in years of maintenance-free operation with no biofouling.

BlueHawk™ and TinyHawk™

We offer two sensor models, each available as standard and ATEx versions, to cover a wide range of monitoring applications on both water and dry surfaces.

BlueHawk – our flagship model

BlueHawk is ideal for applications that require long sensing ranges or ability to monitor and detect leaks, spills, and hydrocarbon/algal bloom contamination over a wide range of sensor-to-surface distances, such as in high wave and large tidal environments.

KEY SPECIFICATIONS:

Monitored surfaces: From stationary to rough waters; any dry surfaces

Detectable hydrocarbons: Wide range of oils from crude oils to gasoline and other light refined products

Detectable algae: Blue-green (cyanobacteria) and green algae using chlorophyll-a, phycocyanin, and phycoerythrin pigment analyses

UV light source: LED with internal intensity measurement and control

Sensor emission wavelength: UVA / UVB

Sensing distance range: 3 to 33+ ft (0.9 to 10+ m)

Monitoring coverage: Up to 1,600 sq ft (150 m2) per unit

Sensitivity: Sub-μm / sub-ppm, adjustable

Scan/installation angle: Up to ±45° from vertical

Scan rate: Adjustable, up to 10 Hz

Enclosure: NEMA 6P (IP68), ATEx available

Size (Standard): Ø 4” x 9.4” (Ø 10 cm x 24 cm)

Weight (Standard/ATEx): 4.2 lb. / 10.8 lb. (1.9 kg / 4.9 kg)

Power: 10-30 VDC, 2 W

Options: ATEx enclosure, Distance (water level) measurements, Wired or Wireless data transmission and alarms, Stand-alone or Networked operation, Data logger  

BlueHawk

TinyHawk – super compact, yet very powerful

The brand-new TinyHawk is recommended for applications with shorter (up to 10 ft / 3 m) sensor-to-surface distances and static scanned surfaces, and that require absolutely minimized sensor size, weight, power consumption, or cost.

KEY SPECIFICATIONS:

Monitored surfaces: Any static surfaces such as concrete, stationary or slow moving water, ice, soil, etc.

Detectable hydrocarbons: Wide range of oils from crude oils to gasoline and other light refined products

Detectable algae: Blue-green (cyanobacteria) and green algae using chlorophyll-a, phycocyanin, and phycoerythrin pigment analyses

UV light source: LED with readiness for internal intensity measurement and control

Sensor emission wavelength: UVA / UVB

Sensing distance range: 0.7 to 10.0 ft (0.2 to 3.0 m)

Monitoring coverage: Up to 150 sq ft (14 m2) per unit

Sensitivity: Sub-μm / sub-ppm, adjustable

Scan/installation angle: Up to ±45° from vertical

Scan rate: Adjustable, up to 10 Hz

Enclosure: NEMA 6P (IP68), ATEx available

Size (Standard): Ø 4” x 3.5” (Ø 10 cm x 9 cm)

Weight (Standard/ATEx): 1.8 lb. / 5.5 lb. (0.8 kg / 2.5 kg)

Power: 12-35 VDC, 1.5W

Options: ATEx enclosure, Distance (water level) measurements, Wired or Wireless data transmission and alarms, Stand-alone or Networked operation, Data logger

TinyHawk
BlueHawk ATEx
TinyHawk ATEx
BlueHawk port installation
Another BlueHawk installed in port
BlueHawk mounted on aerial drone
BlueHawk ATEx at tank farm
BlueHawk at raw water intake
BlueHawk at oil refinery
BlueHawk mobile battery-powered installation
BlueHawk monitoring water for pollutants
BlueHawk installed in port for water monitoring
Oil and Algae sensors monitoring estuary waters

About Our Companies 

LDI Innovation Ltd. (designer & manufacturer) and PhotonTec (US & Mexico representative) – partners since October 1, 2023.

LDI Innovation Ltd.

LDI Innovation Ltd. is a highly respected European photonics engineering company founded in 2013. With over 30 years of experience in optics and sensing, the founders of LDI Innovation develop cutting-edge solutions for critical monitoring and detection applications.

Our experienced R&D team holds advanced degrees in physics, engineering, and computer science. They have decades of experience working on national and international projects. This allows us to deliver unique real-time sensor technologies with proven results for customers worldwide.

LDI Innovation is dedicated to continuous innovation in environmental protection and industrial process oversight. Our proprietary technologies use patented optics and advanced electronics to provide actionable insights that are difficult or impossible to obtain with conventional sensors.

LDI Innovation Ltd. holds ISO 9001:2015 certification to ensure the highest quality standards.

Select customers of LDI Innovation Ltd.

PhotonTec™

With over 20 years of experience introducing new innovative products and technologies to the North American markets, PhotonTec’s founders are seasoned industry veterans. Our extensive expertise encompasses various transformational optical and photonic solutions from IR sensing and 3D machine vision to AI-driven inspection systems.

As a representative and a partner in sales, marketing, customer service, and technical support, PhotonTec accelerates the adoption of advanced optical technologies across the US and Mexico. LDI Innovation Ltd. is now a PhotonTec partner, providing North America access to their revolutionary fluorometric sensors for hydrocarbon and algae detection.

Learn how BlueHawk and TinyHawk can help prevent the next environmental disaster. Contact our office in Atlanta, GA, to discuss your needs and get a free consultation. Our email is info@photontec.net and phone number (770) 366-4137.

We’d Love to Hear from You

We’re here to help! Whether you are curious about Hawks’ features, their capabilities in your application, a free demo or feasibility test with your own samples, or even press inquiries – we’re ready to answer your questions.

You can reach us using the contact form below or by:
Email: info@photontec.net
Phone: (770) 366-4137
We’re located in Atlanta, GA, in the Eastern US time zone.  

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