Session: 04-01-01 Leak Detection

Paper Number: 130959

130959 - Design and Testing of a Flow Facility for Pipeline Leak Prediction, Detection, and Investigation 

Abstract: 

Flow facilities for pipeline leak research have existed for many decades to develop and improve leak detection systems. Most of these are single phase and operate at a rather low Reynolds number (< 10% of typical operational Re_D). The leak is simulated artificially by drilling a through hole and installing a valve to the pipe wall to control the leak flow rate. Although this could be adequate for a particular research objective, the boundary conditions of a real-world pipeline failure are not properly replicated using this approach and as a result some of the critical mechanical signatures of an actual leak or rupture event are missed. Currently available facilities cannot capture mechanical signals at the exact time of pipe wall failure, and this research aims to address this deficiency.

A customized flow facility with flexible operating pressure and temperature capability will enable investigation of leaks for both gaseous and liquid transport. Pump and blower sizing is performed based on operating fluid and flow loop pressure drop. The design liquid Reynolds number is 6.3 × 10⁵ (50% of typical operational Re_D), while the design gas Reynolds number is 7.8 × 10⁵ (20% of typical operational Re_D) in the 3-inch nominal diameter test section. Heat transfer analysis has been performed throughout the flow loop for the fluids under consideration, enabling temperature control.

The facility is designed with the ability to perform flowing burst tests, controlled by increasing the average pressure of the flow loop while flowing at a fixed Reynolds number. The flow facility has four test section configurations including free-air, buried, noise-isolated with optical access, and jacketed. The pre-damaged pipe test section used for leak investigation is in the free-air suspended configuration. To monitor the burst event, a combination of high-speed video and sensors are used on the pipe wall section with a simulated external corrosion feature. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is used to compute burst pressure (below 100 psi) for the prescribed damage. Pipes with common threat mechanisms that include pitting corrosion, axial and circumferential cracking, or combinations with denting can also be examined. This enables leak processes to be investigated in detail, starting with the precursors before a leak to the early stages of a leak. The flow facility will be instrumental in supporting the goals of a larger research initiative that aims to develop real-time monitoring technology for safe pipeline transport, with consideration to common threats encountered in existing and future energy pipelines.

Presenting Author: Ronald Hugo University of Calgary

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Hugo is Professor and Director of the Pipeline Engineering Centre at the Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary. He is Senior Chair in Engineering Education Innovation in the Schulich School of Engineering. He has served as Department Head of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (2006-2013), Associate Dean Teaching & Learning (2014-2017), Technical Chair of the CDIO International Conference (2010-2013), CDIO International Co-Director (2012-2018), and Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education (2021-2023). Prior to joining the University of Calgary in 1999, Dr. Hugo spent four years working as a Research Scientist with the US Air Force Research Laboratory in Albuquerque, NM where he investigated the impact of atmospheric turbulence on laser-based directed energy systems.

Authors:

Marlon Anthony Ng University of Calgary
Haobin Chen University of Calgary
Farbod Khayami University of Calgary
Yaser Arafath Gulam Dhasthagir University of Calgary
Ronald Hugo University of Calgary