We Invent to Prevent.
We Invent to Prevent.
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ALMA UV
ALMA UV detects oil films on water surfaces from the air in real time using UV laser. It identifies petroleum products and detects films as thin as 1 µm from altitudes of up to 100 m.
What Is ALMA UV and Who It's For
Monitoring oil spills, especially in open sea conditions, is a challenging task. Conventional detection methods are often slow, insufficiently sensitive, or operationally demanding. Pergam ALMA UV addresses these limitations with an airborne oil spill detection solution based on UV laser-induced fluorescence. ALMA UV is a helicopter-mounted oil spills detection system designed for those who require fast and reliable results. It installs externally without structural modifications to the aircraft, can be integrated with most civil helicopters, and is ready for operation within a couple of hours. The system delivers real-time aerial monitoring of pipelines, offshore and inland water bodies, and oilfield infrastructure. It detects oil contamination remotely and automatically records GPS coordinates, photo, and video evidence at the moment of detection. All data is logged and structured into a flight report, enabling informed operational decisions and supporting regulatory compliance.
ALMA UV Key Features
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Real-time detection
Detects oil films and hydrocarbon contamination on surfaces in real time using UV laser-induced fluorescence. -
OSMCS software
OSMCS onboard software provides live video, GPS mapping, and real-time alerts. It logs detections, stores media, generates reports, and allows remote access to a ground dispatch center. -
Non-contact detection
No landing or surface sampling required. Operates at altitudes of 100 to 200 m. -
Real-time alerts
Alert and GPS tagging at the moment of flyover. Data appears instantly on the operator tablet. -
Fraction identification
Distinguishes light and heavy petroleum products by fluorescence spectrum. -
All-weather operation
IP55 rating, aviation-grade connectors, and a wide operating temperature range.
Compatible with Mi-8 / Mi-17, Robinson R66, Bell 206 / 407, AW139, Eurocopter AS350, EC135 and other models with a portside external hardpoint. No structural modifications required.
ALMA UV Main Specifications
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100 m
Patrol altitude -
120 km/h
Max flight speed -
UV fluorescence + spectral analysis
Detection principle -
Semiconductor pulsed UV laser
Radiation source -
360°
Camera coverage -
0.3 s
Scan rate -
5 MP
Camera sensor -
IP55
Housing protection
How ALMA UV Works
ALMA UV analyzes the fluorescent signal produced by oil molecules when exposed to ultraviolet laser light
Pergam ALMA UV uses UV laser radiation to remotely detect and analyze oil films on water surfaces. A pulsed ultraviolet semiconductor laser illuminates the surface from altitudes of up to 100 meters, inducing fluorescence in oil molecules at compound-specific wavelengths. An optical receiver captures the emitted signal and transmits it to the processing unit for spectral analysis. The system identifies a range of hydrocarbons, including crude oil and diesel, and detects ultra-thin films starting from 1 µm.
ALMA UV Operating Principle
Photoelectric generator
Photoelectric detector
Filter
Filter
Spectral signal extraction
Spectral signal comparative recognition
Spectral signals standart library
Output of spectra comparison result
Spectral signal input
Oil film
UV-laser
Fluorescent light
Ambient light reflection
Five Steps From Laser to Report
- UV Surface IlluminationA pulsed semiconductor UV laser scans the surface, inducing characteristic fluorescence in oil and petroleum hydrocarbons.01
- Spectral AnalysisA photodetector captures the emitted fluorescence light. The onboard software compares it's spectrum with reference spectral profiles to determine the contaminant type, distinguishing between light and heavy petroleum fractions.02
- Alert & GPS TaggingWhen contamination exceeds the set threshold, the system automatically records a photo, video, and GPS coordinates of the detection point. An alert appears on the operator’s tablet, accompanied by audible and visual alarms when oil-specific fluorescence is detected.03
- Onboard DisplayThe operator views a live video feed, a map with alert markers, and flight parameters in real time. All detections are logged to a MySQL database. The screen shows the contaminant classification (e.g., "Crude Oil," "Diesel") and estimated film thickness, while the camera automatically focuses on the detected area.04
- Export & ReportingAfter each flight, the system automatically generates a PDF report, CSV export, and a photo and video archive, all ready for submission to regulatory authorities.05
OMSCS Onboard Software Platform
OMSCS onboard platform – the brain of the system
- Live Video & MapThe operator monitors the live camera feed alongside an alert map within a single unified interface, with real-time recording and playback capabilities.01
- Automatic AlertingUpon detecting oil contamination, the system immediately records a frame, GPS coordinates, timestamp, and detection parameters. Sensitivity thresholds can be fully configured to suit operational needs.02
- History & DatabaseAll alerts and flight tracks are stored in a MySQL database, with filtering options by date, location, and contaminant type. The system enables retrospective analysis of spill dynamics for operational review and planning.03
- Remote AccessData is transmitted in real time to a ground dispatch center via TCP/IP and can be viewed on a standard PC without the need for specialized software.04
- Five Scan Rate ModesThe system offers five selectable scan intervals: 0.3, 12, 30, 45, and 90 seconds. Operators can adjust the interval based on flight speed and the desired resolution of the contamination map. Scan rates adapt automatically to changing operational conditions.05
ALMA UV Applications
ALMA UV is designed for systematic aerial monitoring of pipelines, offshore and inland waters, and oilfield infrastructure. It supports early leak detection, rapid spill response, and ongoing environmental surveillance, providing accurate, real-time data to guide operational and regulatory decisions.
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Oil pollution on rivers, lakes, and sea surfaces
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Oil and diesel leaks from pipelines
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Port and waterfront infrastructure
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Aquaculture and fish farming
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Marine and inland water transport
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Oil spills from ships and floating platforms
Why oil spill detection matters
Even the smallest oil spill can cause big problems: polluting water, harming marine life, and threatening coastal operations. A thin film of oil spreads fast and silently, making early detection absolutely critical. The sooner you spot a spill, the faster you can act to protect the environment, reduce cleanup costs, and keep your operations running smoothly.
Specifications
FAQ
Honest answers to important questions
ALMA UV is a helicopter-mounted system for detecting oil spills using UV laser-induced fluorescence. It scans water surfaces from the air, identifies oil types by their fluorescence spectrum, and records GPS, photo, and video data in real time.
The system distinguishes between light and heavy petroleum fractions, including crude oil, diesel, lubricants, and other hydrocarbons, even for films as thin as 1 µm.
Traditional methods such as visual inspection, infrared, radar (SAR), and microwave radiometry (MWR) have limitations for oil spill detection.
Visual inspection: Requires good lighting and calm water. Often misses thin films and cannot identify oil type.
Infrared: Detects temperature differences between the oil film and the surrounding water, which can reveal thicker spills. However, thin films are difficult to detect, and the method cannot determine the type of oil.
Radar (SAR): Detects large surface anomalies, but surface waves can distort the radar signal, reducing detection accuracy and providing no information on contaminant composition.
Microwave radiometry (MWR): Covers large areas quickly, but offers low spatial resolution, is weak on thin films, and cannot classify oil types.
Pergam ALMA UV uses UV laser-induced fluorescence to overcome these limitations, providing hypersensitive real-time detection and classification of light and heavy petroleum products.
Visual inspection: Requires good lighting and calm water. Often misses thin films and cannot identify oil type.
Infrared: Detects temperature differences between the oil film and the surrounding water, which can reveal thicker spills. However, thin films are difficult to detect, and the method cannot determine the type of oil.
Radar (SAR): Detects large surface anomalies, but surface waves can distort the radar signal, reducing detection accuracy and providing no information on contaminant composition.
Microwave radiometry (MWR): Covers large areas quickly, but offers low spatial resolution, is weak on thin films, and cannot classify oil types.
Pergam ALMA UV uses UV laser-induced fluorescence to overcome these limitations, providing hypersensitive real-time detection and classification of light and heavy petroleum products.
Yes. The system features IP55 protection, aviation-grade connectors, and a wide operating temperature range, enabling reliable performance in diverse weather conditions, day or night.
ALMA UV mounts externally on the port side using standard hardpoints, requires no structural modifications, and is ready for operation within hours. All data is managed via the onboard Ex-proof OSMCS software, with optional remote access for ground dispatch.
Contact us
You can order the equipment or ask questions here