Session: 04-01-02 Leak Detection and Monitoring - Part I

Paper Number: 87397

87397 - New Findings in Leak Detection on Multi-Phase Pipelines 

With the increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emission and protect the environment, effective leak detection in all pipelines has become more critical in recent years. This applies to multi-phase pipelines too. Little progress has been made in multi-phase pipeline leak detection in the last decades. Some of the main challenges in detecting leaks in multi-phase pipelines include:

·       Complex and variable hydraulic conditions with flow regime changes when the fluid composition and flow-rate vary in a pipeline

·       High cost and poor performance of flow meter instrumentation

·       Feasibility of retrofitting leak detection hardware or equipment on operational pipelines.

Over the past few years significant research and field tests have been carried out to develop possible solutions to address the above challenges. 

This paper describes some of the technologies tested on a few multi-phase pipelines. It addresses both the hardware and software used to detect leaks, the fluid withdrawal tests carried out and performance achieved. Potential applications and further development are outlined at the end.

The tests carried out on operational pipelines demonstrate that it is feasible to have real-time leak detection systems on multi-phase pipelines. Depending on the nature and flow regime of each pipeline, the selection of hardware and leak detection solution may be different. The overall performance of leak detection can be improved by a combination of different technologies. This includes real-time systems and in-line inspection tools that are used at regular or irregular intervals. The ability to retrofit the hardware on operational pipelines makes it much easier to implement such solutions. The easy assembly of data collection kit to the available cleaning pigs means that it is possible to inspect a pipeline for leaks each time when the line is pigged.

While future research and development will continue to improve the technologies available for multi-phase pipelines, the paper shares a few real-life applications using different methods. The actual performance and challenges will also be discussed.

Presenting Author: Andrew Hoffman Atmos International

Presenting Author Biography: Andy Hoffman is the Technical Director of Atmos International. He graduated from Cambridge University in General Engineering in 1984. <br/>Since 2009, Andy has been developing, testing and enhancing Atmos Wave leak detection systems for gas, liquid and multi-phase pipelines. He is also the inventor of the non-intrusive flow and pressure sensor Eclipse.<br/>Prior to Atmos International, Andy has been involved in the design of Magnetic Sector Mass Spectrometers, Time of Flight and Orbitrap Mass Spectrometers, Micro Machining Systems and Anthrax Detectors.