CA1200874A - Leak detection system for subterranean pipelines - Google Patents
Leak detection system for subterranean pipelinesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1200874A CA1200874A CA000431126A CA431126A CA1200874A CA 1200874 A CA1200874 A CA 1200874A CA 000431126 A CA000431126 A CA 000431126A CA 431126 A CA431126 A CA 431126A CA 1200874 A CA1200874 A CA 1200874A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- reservoir
- leak
- sensor
- pipeline
- pipe
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17D—PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES
- F17D5/00—Protection or supervision of installations
- F17D5/02—Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss
- F17D5/04—Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss by means of a signalling fluid enclosed in a double wall
Abstract
LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM FOR
SUBTERRANEAN PIPELINES
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A pipeline leakage detection and location system for detecting product leakage from, and the location of, a leak in a pipeline which comprises a retainer sleeve surrounding and pro-tecting said pipeline. Collars are mounted in spaced positions along the pipeline forming, with the sleeve, a plurality of dis-crete segments from which leakage may be detected. A spigot is connected to each segment including a reservoir. A first hollow arm communicates with the interior of a segment and provides an inlet to the spigot. A second hollow arm connects to a surface test point, and a third hollow arm is connected to a gathering pipe which is adapted to collect overflow of the leaking product from a plurality of spigots. Leaking product drains into a sensor reservoir in which will be detected the presence of the leaked pro-duct by signalling that a leak exists, the location of the leak and that there is leaked product in the spigot reservoir.
SUBTERRANEAN PIPELINES
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A pipeline leakage detection and location system for detecting product leakage from, and the location of, a leak in a pipeline which comprises a retainer sleeve surrounding and pro-tecting said pipeline. Collars are mounted in spaced positions along the pipeline forming, with the sleeve, a plurality of dis-crete segments from which leakage may be detected. A spigot is connected to each segment including a reservoir. A first hollow arm communicates with the interior of a segment and provides an inlet to the spigot. A second hollow arm connects to a surface test point, and a third hollow arm is connected to a gathering pipe which is adapted to collect overflow of the leaking product from a plurality of spigots. Leaking product drains into a sensor reservoir in which will be detected the presence of the leaked pro-duct by signalling that a leak exists, the location of the leak and that there is leaked product in the spigot reservoir.
Description
7~
:LE'AK DETr.'C~rL'lON S`~STEM FOR
SUBTERRANE:AN PIPE'LINE'S
The present invention relates to the field of pipeline leak detection, and in particular to the protection of pipelines containing hydrocarbon liquids or gases and the like Eor the detec-tion and location of leakage from such pipelines before substantial volumes of fluid have escaped, and beEore environmental damage has occurred. The system described in the present application is de-signed to be fitted on any subterranean pipe transporting any type of liquid or gas. The system includes a minimal number of sensor test points yet it is able to determine leak locations in any de-sired length of pipeline including lengths as short as five metresections. The system of the present application utilizes a single layer of plastic sleeve, such as high density polyethylene sheet sealed around the pipe, with a plurality of collars installed at desired intervals which sub-divide the interior of the plastic sleeve into appropriate lengths depending upon the accuracy with which leaks must be located. Leak sensors are loca-ted at intervals along the pipe and serve to provide an indication of the leakage of product from the pipeline.
Within the plastic sleeve, internal collars are prov~ded which sub-divide the sleeve into discrete chambers, and depending upon the spacing of the collars, leakage can be located to the nearest chamber in which such a leak is occurring. Sensors may be located at all low poin-ts on the pipeline and at approximately 1.6 kilometre intervals for example as determined by the pipeline instal-lation requirements.
.~
~2()U87~
Between every pair of collars there is a specially designed spigot fittin~ sealed to the plastic sleeve, at a point slightly below the centre of the pipe. This spigo-t fi-tting. is especially designed so that it can be connected to the bottom half of the pipe sleeve and consis-ts of a reservoir wi-th three external connections. An inlet connects the reservoir to the interior oF
-the sleeve. The top of the reservoir is connected -to a small dia-meter pipe which leads up to ground level, and an outlet is connected to a collection pipe running beside the pipeline through which leak-age can be collected and fed to a sensor reservoir by gravity.
In -the event of a leak the product from the pipeline will be con-tained within the sleeve between two collars, until the leak-age reaches a point where fluid will flow into the spigot and ulti-mately from the spigot reservoir into the gathering pipe and thus to the sensor reservoir which is fitted with a leakage sensor. The inlet to the spigot and gathering pipe may be fitted with a plurality of one-way valves so that leakage from the main pipeline will flow in the direction of the reservoir to prevent the f low of liquid back upstream to higher spigots. The leaking product will flow along the ~0 gathering pipe to the sensor test point where it will accumulate in the sensor reservoir until it comes in contact with a sensor. At this point an alarm is generated by the sensor indicating that leak-age has occurred from the pipeline. Once such an alarm has been generated, surplus leaking fluid can be fed from the sensor reservoir to an optional second spill-over pipe leading to either a buried storage tank or a large sludge pond or the like, so -that no product is lost to the environment and reclamation can be readily accomplished.
3~ 74 The system of the present invention also enables the determination oE the rate of a liquid leaJ<. F3~ buildincl ~he sensor reservoir to an appropria-te size, and providing it with two sensors, and by detecting the time delay between the activation of these two sensors, -the rate of leak flow can readily be determined I,eak detection and leakaye rate can be monitored by an appropria-te cir-cuit board mounted in the sensor test point pipe which may be con-nected via the telephone system to an appropria-te monitor to allow an operator at a desired location to know that there is a leak in a given pipeline, the location of the leak, as well as the size of the leak, within a very brief period of time after the leak has commenced.
After leakage has been detected by the sensor, the pre-cise location of the leak can be determined by a person walking the section of pipeline in which the sensor is located, and using a dip-stick to inspect each of the spigot reservoir test points to deter-mine whether the reservoir is filled with leaking product. Because of the particular configuration of the leak sensing system of the present invention, only the reservoir of a leaking section will con-tain a leaked liquid product.
After a leak has been located and repaired, the system can readily be re-activated. Leaked product can be removed from the system by the use of appropriate flushing fluids, such as water with emulsifying detergents which may be pumped into the spigot test point and which would then flow through the gathering pipe to the sensor reservoir where the soapy water with the broken down product can be pumped out.
Leakage in the pipeline is repaired b~ cuttiny away the sleeve between -the two ~ollars where the leak has occ~lrred, replace-ment or welding of -the leaking section of pipe, and a new section of sleeve being welded around the pipe, the collars replaced and the system re-activated. Several advantages are obtained by the use of the system of -the present invention.
(1) Rapid leak detection is possible depending on the size of the leak. A small leak will obviously take longer for the product to reach the sensor but there is no loss to the environ-ment, so the length of time is not important for this size of leak. For a larger leak, time to alarm will be a matter of minutes, no ma-tter what the product might be, even crude oil;
:LE'AK DETr.'C~rL'lON S`~STEM FOR
SUBTERRANE:AN PIPE'LINE'S
The present invention relates to the field of pipeline leak detection, and in particular to the protection of pipelines containing hydrocarbon liquids or gases and the like Eor the detec-tion and location of leakage from such pipelines before substantial volumes of fluid have escaped, and beEore environmental damage has occurred. The system described in the present application is de-signed to be fitted on any subterranean pipe transporting any type of liquid or gas. The system includes a minimal number of sensor test points yet it is able to determine leak locations in any de-sired length of pipeline including lengths as short as five metresections. The system of the present application utilizes a single layer of plastic sleeve, such as high density polyethylene sheet sealed around the pipe, with a plurality of collars installed at desired intervals which sub-divide the interior of the plastic sleeve into appropriate lengths depending upon the accuracy with which leaks must be located. Leak sensors are loca-ted at intervals along the pipe and serve to provide an indication of the leakage of product from the pipeline.
Within the plastic sleeve, internal collars are prov~ded which sub-divide the sleeve into discrete chambers, and depending upon the spacing of the collars, leakage can be located to the nearest chamber in which such a leak is occurring. Sensors may be located at all low poin-ts on the pipeline and at approximately 1.6 kilometre intervals for example as determined by the pipeline instal-lation requirements.
.~
~2()U87~
Between every pair of collars there is a specially designed spigot fittin~ sealed to the plastic sleeve, at a point slightly below the centre of the pipe. This spigo-t fi-tting. is especially designed so that it can be connected to the bottom half of the pipe sleeve and consis-ts of a reservoir wi-th three external connections. An inlet connects the reservoir to the interior oF
-the sleeve. The top of the reservoir is connected -to a small dia-meter pipe which leads up to ground level, and an outlet is connected to a collection pipe running beside the pipeline through which leak-age can be collected and fed to a sensor reservoir by gravity.
In -the event of a leak the product from the pipeline will be con-tained within the sleeve between two collars, until the leak-age reaches a point where fluid will flow into the spigot and ulti-mately from the spigot reservoir into the gathering pipe and thus to the sensor reservoir which is fitted with a leakage sensor. The inlet to the spigot and gathering pipe may be fitted with a plurality of one-way valves so that leakage from the main pipeline will flow in the direction of the reservoir to prevent the f low of liquid back upstream to higher spigots. The leaking product will flow along the ~0 gathering pipe to the sensor test point where it will accumulate in the sensor reservoir until it comes in contact with a sensor. At this point an alarm is generated by the sensor indicating that leak-age has occurred from the pipeline. Once such an alarm has been generated, surplus leaking fluid can be fed from the sensor reservoir to an optional second spill-over pipe leading to either a buried storage tank or a large sludge pond or the like, so -that no product is lost to the environment and reclamation can be readily accomplished.
3~ 74 The system of the present invention also enables the determination oE the rate of a liquid leaJ<. F3~ buildincl ~he sensor reservoir to an appropria-te size, and providing it with two sensors, and by detecting the time delay between the activation of these two sensors, -the rate of leak flow can readily be determined I,eak detection and leakaye rate can be monitored by an appropria-te cir-cuit board mounted in the sensor test point pipe which may be con-nected via the telephone system to an appropria-te monitor to allow an operator at a desired location to know that there is a leak in a given pipeline, the location of the leak, as well as the size of the leak, within a very brief period of time after the leak has commenced.
After leakage has been detected by the sensor, the pre-cise location of the leak can be determined by a person walking the section of pipeline in which the sensor is located, and using a dip-stick to inspect each of the spigot reservoir test points to deter-mine whether the reservoir is filled with leaking product. Because of the particular configuration of the leak sensing system of the present invention, only the reservoir of a leaking section will con-tain a leaked liquid product.
After a leak has been located and repaired, the system can readily be re-activated. Leaked product can be removed from the system by the use of appropriate flushing fluids, such as water with emulsifying detergents which may be pumped into the spigot test point and which would then flow through the gathering pipe to the sensor reservoir where the soapy water with the broken down product can be pumped out.
Leakage in the pipeline is repaired b~ cuttiny away the sleeve between -the two ~ollars where the leak has occ~lrred, replace-ment or welding of -the leaking section of pipe, and a new section of sleeve being welded around the pipe, the collars replaced and the system re-activated. Several advantages are obtained by the use of the system of -the present invention.
(1) Rapid leak detection is possible depending on the size of the leak. A small leak will obviously take longer for the product to reach the sensor but there is no loss to the environ-ment, so the length of time is not important for this size of leak. For a larger leak, time to alarm will be a matter of minutes, no ma-tter what the product might be, even crude oil;
(2) The product is no longer lost to -the environment but is contained within the piping system associated with the present invention. Leak location can be determined to the nearest sec-tion between collars (which can be as short as five metres).
While it is hoped that there will never be a leak in the pipe-line and that the spigot test point fittings will be redundant, in the event o~ a leak i-t is desirable to be able to determine the leak location to the nearest five-metre interval;
~3~ Protection against corrosion (cathodic protection) would be optional;
(~) Damage to the pipeline by outside agents, for example contractor's earth moving equipment causing a leak may be quickly detected;
(5) For locations highly sensitive to product loss, a secondary retention sys-tem can easily be provided;
(6) The system is economical. A simple monitor and sensors at 1.6 kilometre intervals make this system inexpensive com~
pared to other systems on the market wi-th respec-t to the equivalent abillty for time of leak detection, leak location, leak containment, and ability to determine rate of the leak;
(7) Reclamation of lost product: With the secondary piping system, the overflow of the sensor test points is contained within the piping system and directed to a reservoir for re-clamation.
Thus in accordance with the invention a pipeline leak cletection and leak location system comprises a sealed plastic sleeve surrounding the pipe, which is sub-divided into discrete segments which are separated from each other b~ internally positioned collars, with each segment being connected to a spigot including a reservoir for the collection of leaked product from the pipe, a small diameter pipe or tube leading to the surface from the reservoir, and a gathering pipe connecting each spigot to a sensor reservoir con-taining a sensor for detecting the presence of leaked product from the pipeline.
In drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 1 is a general diagram illustrating a buried pipe-line equipped with the applicant's leak detection and location system, ~2(!v8 74 Figure 2 is a cross-sect:ion oE the plpeline of FlcJure 1 through one of the cruciEorm spl~o-ts, Figure 3 is a cross-section of the pipeline of Figure 1 through the sensor reservoir, Figure 4 is a sec-tion of an a]ternative form of spi~ot, and, Figure 5 is a plan view of a pipeline pro-tected by applicant's leak detection system.
Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a pipeline 10 fitted with a plastic sleeve for example of High Density Polyethylene 11 the interior of which is internally sub-divided by a plurality of collars 12. Between each pair of collars 12 there is located a test spigot 13. A pipe 14 connects the spigot 13 to a surface pipe sec-tion test point 14 located at ground level 15. The spigot 13 is connected in a manner which will be more clearly explained in rela-tion to Figure 2, to a gathering pipe 16 through which product from a pipeline leak passes to a sensor reservoir 17 containing a sensor 18. Overflow from the reservoir 17 can pass through the overflow pipe 19 to a recovery reservoir (not shown). The gathering pipe 16 preferably is fitted with directional flow control valves 20 to ensure that flow occurs only toward the reservoir 17. Although not illustrated in Figure 1, it is clear that several reservoirs 17 may be connected together and via the overflow pipe 19 to a suitable reservoir (not shown).
Referring to Figure 2 there is shown in cross~section a pipeline construc-ted in accordance with the invention consisting of ~Z~VP~'4 ... 7 a cylinclrical pipe l0 wrapped :in a po:Lyethylene sleeve 11 to which is welded at 21 ~ cr~lciform spigot 13. The spigot 13 is p:rovided with four arms, the first being a reservoir portion 22, a top portion 23 connected to a pipe 2~ which in turn is connected to the surface test point 14 illustrated in Figure 1. A third arm 25 is welded to the sleeve 11 and -the fourth arm 26 of the cruciform spigot is con-nected to the gathering pipe 16. As previously described, in -the event of a leak, the product leaking from the pipe 10 will be retained by the retainer sleeve Ll between the two collars, and when the product reaches the level of the arm 25, will flow into the reservoir 22. The reservoir will then fill, and flow will con-tinue via the arm 26 of the cruciform spigot 13 into the gathering pipe 16 and from there will flow to the sensor reservoir 17 (Fig. 1).
For leak location purposes, a suitable dip-stick may be inserted down pipe 24 into the reservoir 22 to detect the presence of product in the reservoir, whence leakage from the section of pipe will be indicated, and the individual section in which the leakage has occurred may be repaired.
Figure 3 is a cross-section through the pipeline at the sensor reservoir 17. The cruciform member 13 is shown in phantom lines merely to indicate the manner in which the flow occurs from the retaining sleeve 11 through the cruciform spigot 13 to the gathering pipe 16, and hence into the sensor reservoir 17. The continuing flow of product from the gathering pipe 16 into the reservoir 17 will ultimately result in the reservoir 17 being filled to the point that Elow occurs out through the outlet to the overflow pipe 19 and from -here to the recovery reservoir ~not ~ 7~
illustra-ted). The sensor reservoir 17 is fitted with a sensor 1~
connected to a sensor test point 27 ~Fig. 1) and is also connected to a main power line or control cable 28 which :is positioned in a suitable enclosed duct positioned parallel to and below ground level 15. The test point 27 is connected to the sensor reservoir 17 by a suitable form of duc-t 29 through which the appropriate wiring may be run to connect -the sensor 18 to a suitable form o~
monitor. It will be appreciated that the sensor 18 may be one of a variety of devices depending upon equipment requirements, such as a Leak-X~type sensor cable, an infrared sensor, a fibre optic sensor, a conductive llquid monitor, a photoelectric cell or the like. The sensor may also be of the type in which swelling of a plastic insu-lating material causes contacts to close thereby completing an electrical circuit.
~ n accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is possible to fit the sensor reservoir 17 with a plurality of sensors 18 and 18a whereby with a sensor reservoir 17 of known dimensions, and with a known spacing between the sensors 18 and 18a, the time difference between the operation of the lower sensor, and the upper sensor, can be utilized to determine the rate of leakage of product from the pipeline 10.
Figure 4 is a cross-section through a pipeline and an alternative form of spigot in accordance with the present invention.
As before the pipe 10 is encased in a sleeve 11 to which is adhered a spigot fitting 13a, consisting of a reservoir 22a with a vertical arm 23a, an inlet arm 25a and an outlet arm 26a connected to the .
~(30~
g gatherin~ pipe 16. The spigot 1.3a :i.s connectecl to the sleeve 1.1 as by welding at 40. As i.llustrated in Figure 4 the inlet arm 25a may optionally include a one-way valve shown as 41.
In certain instances it is desirable to insulate the pipeline, and Figure 4 illustrates the use o~ the leak detection and location apparatus of -the present invention on a pipeline which has been insulated with foam insula-tion 42. As illustrated in Figure 4 a strap ~3 may be adhered to the exterior of the pipe-line for the purpose of positioning the gathering pipe 16.
Figure 5 illustrates in plan view a pipeline fitted with a leak detection and location system in accordance with the present invention utilizing spigots 13a as illustrated in Figure 4. The gathering pipe 16 which is positioned adjacent the pipe 10 is illus-trated in dotted lines in Figure 5 since the gathering pipe 16 is in fact located partially beneath the pipe 10. The sensor reservoir 17 is positioned beside the pipe 10, and is connected to over~low pipe 19 through which the leaked product may be sent to a holding reservoir. The collars 12 in accordance with one form of the inven-tion may comprise, ~or example, 3 inch wide pieces o~ polyethylene foam wrapped about the pipe 10 inside the sleeve 11, and sealed between the pipe and the sleeve by a twisted stainless steel wire 44.
As before, leakage from individual sections of the pipeline is con-tained between the collars, and exists the sleeve through the spigots 13a where it is directed through the gathering pipe 16 to the sensor reservoir 17 in which an appropriate form of sensor is mounted to detect the presence of leakage and/or to measure the rate of leakage from the pipeline.
- l-o The sleeve of the present invention may be Eormed of material other than high density polyethy:Lene, Eor example the shrink wrap material currently used on gas pipelines is suitab:Le for use as the sleeve material. The sleeve may also be sealed to the pipe either by welding or the use appropria-te adhesives.
Also, in accordance with a preferred form of the invention as illustrated in Figure 4, a purge valve is located in the inlet to the spigot preventing the accidental reversal of flow in the system in the event that leaked product should attempt to flow through the inlet back into the sleeve.
While it is hoped that there will never be a leak in the pipe-line and that the spigot test point fittings will be redundant, in the event o~ a leak i-t is desirable to be able to determine the leak location to the nearest five-metre interval;
~3~ Protection against corrosion (cathodic protection) would be optional;
(~) Damage to the pipeline by outside agents, for example contractor's earth moving equipment causing a leak may be quickly detected;
(5) For locations highly sensitive to product loss, a secondary retention sys-tem can easily be provided;
(6) The system is economical. A simple monitor and sensors at 1.6 kilometre intervals make this system inexpensive com~
pared to other systems on the market wi-th respec-t to the equivalent abillty for time of leak detection, leak location, leak containment, and ability to determine rate of the leak;
(7) Reclamation of lost product: With the secondary piping system, the overflow of the sensor test points is contained within the piping system and directed to a reservoir for re-clamation.
Thus in accordance with the invention a pipeline leak cletection and leak location system comprises a sealed plastic sleeve surrounding the pipe, which is sub-divided into discrete segments which are separated from each other b~ internally positioned collars, with each segment being connected to a spigot including a reservoir for the collection of leaked product from the pipe, a small diameter pipe or tube leading to the surface from the reservoir, and a gathering pipe connecting each spigot to a sensor reservoir con-taining a sensor for detecting the presence of leaked product from the pipeline.
In drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 1 is a general diagram illustrating a buried pipe-line equipped with the applicant's leak detection and location system, ~2(!v8 74 Figure 2 is a cross-sect:ion oE the plpeline of FlcJure 1 through one of the cruciEorm spl~o-ts, Figure 3 is a cross-section of the pipeline of Figure 1 through the sensor reservoir, Figure 4 is a sec-tion of an a]ternative form of spi~ot, and, Figure 5 is a plan view of a pipeline pro-tected by applicant's leak detection system.
Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a pipeline 10 fitted with a plastic sleeve for example of High Density Polyethylene 11 the interior of which is internally sub-divided by a plurality of collars 12. Between each pair of collars 12 there is located a test spigot 13. A pipe 14 connects the spigot 13 to a surface pipe sec-tion test point 14 located at ground level 15. The spigot 13 is connected in a manner which will be more clearly explained in rela-tion to Figure 2, to a gathering pipe 16 through which product from a pipeline leak passes to a sensor reservoir 17 containing a sensor 18. Overflow from the reservoir 17 can pass through the overflow pipe 19 to a recovery reservoir (not shown). The gathering pipe 16 preferably is fitted with directional flow control valves 20 to ensure that flow occurs only toward the reservoir 17. Although not illustrated in Figure 1, it is clear that several reservoirs 17 may be connected together and via the overflow pipe 19 to a suitable reservoir (not shown).
Referring to Figure 2 there is shown in cross~section a pipeline construc-ted in accordance with the invention consisting of ~Z~VP~'4 ... 7 a cylinclrical pipe l0 wrapped :in a po:Lyethylene sleeve 11 to which is welded at 21 ~ cr~lciform spigot 13. The spigot 13 is p:rovided with four arms, the first being a reservoir portion 22, a top portion 23 connected to a pipe 2~ which in turn is connected to the surface test point 14 illustrated in Figure 1. A third arm 25 is welded to the sleeve 11 and -the fourth arm 26 of the cruciform spigot is con-nected to the gathering pipe 16. As previously described, in -the event of a leak, the product leaking from the pipe 10 will be retained by the retainer sleeve Ll between the two collars, and when the product reaches the level of the arm 25, will flow into the reservoir 22. The reservoir will then fill, and flow will con-tinue via the arm 26 of the cruciform spigot 13 into the gathering pipe 16 and from there will flow to the sensor reservoir 17 (Fig. 1).
For leak location purposes, a suitable dip-stick may be inserted down pipe 24 into the reservoir 22 to detect the presence of product in the reservoir, whence leakage from the section of pipe will be indicated, and the individual section in which the leakage has occurred may be repaired.
Figure 3 is a cross-section through the pipeline at the sensor reservoir 17. The cruciform member 13 is shown in phantom lines merely to indicate the manner in which the flow occurs from the retaining sleeve 11 through the cruciform spigot 13 to the gathering pipe 16, and hence into the sensor reservoir 17. The continuing flow of product from the gathering pipe 16 into the reservoir 17 will ultimately result in the reservoir 17 being filled to the point that Elow occurs out through the outlet to the overflow pipe 19 and from -here to the recovery reservoir ~not ~ 7~
illustra-ted). The sensor reservoir 17 is fitted with a sensor 1~
connected to a sensor test point 27 ~Fig. 1) and is also connected to a main power line or control cable 28 which :is positioned in a suitable enclosed duct positioned parallel to and below ground level 15. The test point 27 is connected to the sensor reservoir 17 by a suitable form of duc-t 29 through which the appropriate wiring may be run to connect -the sensor 18 to a suitable form o~
monitor. It will be appreciated that the sensor 18 may be one of a variety of devices depending upon equipment requirements, such as a Leak-X~type sensor cable, an infrared sensor, a fibre optic sensor, a conductive llquid monitor, a photoelectric cell or the like. The sensor may also be of the type in which swelling of a plastic insu-lating material causes contacts to close thereby completing an electrical circuit.
~ n accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is possible to fit the sensor reservoir 17 with a plurality of sensors 18 and 18a whereby with a sensor reservoir 17 of known dimensions, and with a known spacing between the sensors 18 and 18a, the time difference between the operation of the lower sensor, and the upper sensor, can be utilized to determine the rate of leakage of product from the pipeline 10.
Figure 4 is a cross-section through a pipeline and an alternative form of spigot in accordance with the present invention.
As before the pipe 10 is encased in a sleeve 11 to which is adhered a spigot fitting 13a, consisting of a reservoir 22a with a vertical arm 23a, an inlet arm 25a and an outlet arm 26a connected to the .
~(30~
g gatherin~ pipe 16. The spigot 1.3a :i.s connectecl to the sleeve 1.1 as by welding at 40. As i.llustrated in Figure 4 the inlet arm 25a may optionally include a one-way valve shown as 41.
In certain instances it is desirable to insulate the pipeline, and Figure 4 illustrates the use o~ the leak detection and location apparatus of -the present invention on a pipeline which has been insulated with foam insula-tion 42. As illustrated in Figure 4 a strap ~3 may be adhered to the exterior of the pipe-line for the purpose of positioning the gathering pipe 16.
Figure 5 illustrates in plan view a pipeline fitted with a leak detection and location system in accordance with the present invention utilizing spigots 13a as illustrated in Figure 4. The gathering pipe 16 which is positioned adjacent the pipe 10 is illus-trated in dotted lines in Figure 5 since the gathering pipe 16 is in fact located partially beneath the pipe 10. The sensor reservoir 17 is positioned beside the pipe 10, and is connected to over~low pipe 19 through which the leaked product may be sent to a holding reservoir. The collars 12 in accordance with one form of the inven-tion may comprise, ~or example, 3 inch wide pieces o~ polyethylene foam wrapped about the pipe 10 inside the sleeve 11, and sealed between the pipe and the sleeve by a twisted stainless steel wire 44.
As before, leakage from individual sections of the pipeline is con-tained between the collars, and exists the sleeve through the spigots 13a where it is directed through the gathering pipe 16 to the sensor reservoir 17 in which an appropriate form of sensor is mounted to detect the presence of leakage and/or to measure the rate of leakage from the pipeline.
- l-o The sleeve of the present invention may be Eormed of material other than high density polyethy:Lene, Eor example the shrink wrap material currently used on gas pipelines is suitab:Le for use as the sleeve material. The sleeve may also be sealed to the pipe either by welding or the use appropria-te adhesives.
Also, in accordance with a preferred form of the invention as illustrated in Figure 4, a purge valve is located in the inlet to the spigot preventing the accidental reversal of flow in the system in the event that leaked product should attempt to flow through the inlet back into the sleeve.
Claims (4)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A pipeline leakage detection and Location system for detecting product leakage from and the location of a leak in said pipeline comprising, a retainer sleeve surrounding and protecting said pipe-line, a plurality of collars mounted in spaced positions along said pipeline, and forming with said sleeve a plurality of dis-crete segments from which leakage may be detected, a spigot connected to each segment including a reservoir, a first hollow arm communicating with the interior of a segment and providing an inlet to said spigot, a second hollow arm con-nected to a surface test point, and a third hollow arm connected to a gathering pipe, said gathering pipe being adapted to col-lect overflow of product leakage from a plurality of spigots and drain said leakage to a sensor reservoir, sensor means in said sensor reservoir to detect the presence of leaked product in said sensor reservoir, the existence of a leak being sig-nalled by said sensor, the location of a leak being indicated by the presence of leaked product in said spigot reservoir.
2. A system as defined in claim 1, and further comprising a plurality of sensors in said sensor reservoir whereby the rate of leakage into said reservoir may be determined.
3. A system as defined in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said sensor reservoir is connected to an overflow pipe and to recovery reservoir means.
4. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said retainer sleeve and said cruciform spigots are formed of polyethylene and are connected by welding.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000431126A CA1200874A (en) | 1983-06-24 | 1983-06-24 | Leak detection system for subterranean pipelines |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000431126A CA1200874A (en) | 1983-06-24 | 1983-06-24 | Leak detection system for subterranean pipelines |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1200874A true CA1200874A (en) | 1986-02-18 |
Family
ID=4125545
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000431126A Expired CA1200874A (en) | 1983-06-24 | 1983-06-24 | Leak detection system for subterranean pipelines |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1200874A (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5343191A (en) * | 1993-01-08 | 1994-08-30 | Nibco, Inc. | Pipeline leak detection system |
| ITRM20120254A1 (en) * | 2012-05-31 | 2013-12-01 | Greco Emiliano | GROUP FOR DETECTION OF LOSSES IN FLUID DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS |
| ES2503515R1 (en) * | 2013-04-03 | 2014-11-06 | Abn Pipe Systems, S.L.U. | PIPING FOR FLUID DRIVING. |
| US9777872B2 (en) | 2013-07-05 | 2017-10-03 | Jeffrey Scott Adler | Fluid spill containment, location, and real time notification device with cable based sensor |
| CN114110441A (en) * | 2021-12-02 | 2022-03-01 | 西南石油大学 | Gas transmission trunk valve chamber combustible gas detector arrangement method |
| CN117152926A (en) * | 2023-10-31 | 2023-12-01 | 深圳市磐锋精密技术有限公司 | Automatic pressure detection early warning system based on data analysis |
-
1983
- 1983-06-24 CA CA000431126A patent/CA1200874A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5343191A (en) * | 1993-01-08 | 1994-08-30 | Nibco, Inc. | Pipeline leak detection system |
| ITRM20120254A1 (en) * | 2012-05-31 | 2013-12-01 | Greco Emiliano | GROUP FOR DETECTION OF LOSSES IN FLUID DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS |
| ES2503515R1 (en) * | 2013-04-03 | 2014-11-06 | Abn Pipe Systems, S.L.U. | PIPING FOR FLUID DRIVING. |
| US9777872B2 (en) | 2013-07-05 | 2017-10-03 | Jeffrey Scott Adler | Fluid spill containment, location, and real time notification device with cable based sensor |
| CN114110441A (en) * | 2021-12-02 | 2022-03-01 | 西南石油大学 | Gas transmission trunk valve chamber combustible gas detector arrangement method |
| CN114110441B (en) * | 2021-12-02 | 2023-09-15 | 西南石油大学 | Arrangement method of combustible gas detector of gas transmission trunk valve chamber |
| CN117152926A (en) * | 2023-10-31 | 2023-12-01 | 深圳市磐锋精密技术有限公司 | Automatic pressure detection early warning system based on data analysis |
| CN117152926B (en) * | 2023-10-31 | 2023-12-26 | 深圳市磐锋精密技术有限公司 | Automatic pressure detection early warning system based on data analysis |
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