Equipment for automatically monitoring effectiveness of cathode protection system of metal pipeline

Abstract

The utility model discloses a device for automatically monitoring effectiveness of a cathode protection system of a metal pipeline, which comprises a computer processor assembly, a sensor assembly, an electric data bus, a medium and a protected structure, a computer processor component connected to one or more sensor components placed along an electrical data bus, the sensor components and the electrical data bus being buried or submerged in a medium; the sensor assemblies are placed at a first distance of a protected structure, and adjacent sensor assemblies are separated by a second distance; according to the utility model, a user can be helped to analyze and check the performance of the cathode protection system, and data can be summarized regularly or at any random period so as to ensure the normal operation of the current cathode protection system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of pipeline inspection technology, and in particular to a device for automatically monitoring the effectiveness of cathodic protection systems for metal pipelines. Background Technology

[0002] Cathodic protection systems are a publicly available and maturely applied technology in my country, and their principles and process characteristics will not be elaborated upon here. Simply put, cathodic protection involves placing the anode material in an electrolyte (such as soil) that corrodes the metal surface, and providing an electrical connection between the anode material and the cathode metal to form an electrochemical reaction. The surface with more anode material will corrode, while the surface with less anode material (or more cathode material) will not corrode. For example, the surface of a metal pipe (cathode) subsequently becomes more negatively polarized than before. In this case, the surface of the metal pipe is the cathode relative to the anode material. If used correctly, all corrosion occurs on the anode material, thus protecting the cathode.

[0003] Currently, the corrosion status of cathodic protected pipelines is typically detected by measuring the on / off potential between a reference electrode placed around the pipeline and the pipeline. However, due to the considerable length of the pipeline, measuring the on / off potential between the pipeline and the reference electrode is difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to use polarized test pieces embedded near the pipeline to measure the on / off potential. This involves connecting the polarized test piece to the pipeline and then measuring the on / off potential between the reference electrode and the polarized test piece. This manual measurement method relies heavily on the skill level of the inspectors and is time-consuming, costly, and labor-intensive.

[0004] According to relevant national standards, pipe corrosion should be tested regularly. Currently, this work is still carried out by on-site technicians who record the measurement results individually. This work is slow, costly, and can endanger the health of personnel due to surrounding traffic, environmental conditions, and even encounters with snakes and insects in the grass and bushes. Utility Model Content

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide a device for automatically monitoring the effectiveness of cathodic protection systems for metal pipelines, aiming to solve existing technical problems.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a device for automatically monitoring the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system for metal pipes, comprising a computer processor assembly, a sensor assembly, an electrical data bus, a medium, and a protected structure;

[0007] The computer processor assembly is connected to one or more sensor assemblies placed along an electrical data bus, the sensor assemblies and the electrical data bus being embedded or immersed in a medium;

[0008] The sensor assemblies are placed at a first distance from the protected structure, and adjacent sensor assemblies are separated by a second distance.

[0009] Furthermore, the computer processor component includes,

[0010] The central controller is used to perform data collection and control feature operations;

[0011] The power supply provides power to the sensor components on the electrical data bus based on instructions from the central controller.

[0012] Central memory for storing data collected by some or all of the sensor components during the operating cycle; and,

[0013] A central input / output interface is used to send control commands to sensor components via an electrical data bus.

[0014] Furthermore, the sensor assembly includes,

[0015] The controller is used to perform data collection and control operations on the sensors;

[0016] One or more sensors are used to detect and sense the voltage associated with the reference / reference electrode;

[0017] One or more reference electrodes are used as a reference when measuring electrode potential;

[0018] Memory, used to store data collected from sensors; and,

[0019] Input / output interface, used to send collected data back to the computer processor components via an electrical data bus.

[0020] Furthermore, the sensor and the reference / reference electrode are operatively coupled to each other, or the reference electrode is implemented within the sensor.

[0021] Furthermore, the sensor and / or reference electrode are located or housed outside the sensor assembly housing.

[0022] Furthermore, the first distance is greater than zero.

[0023] Furthermore, the distance between the electrical data bus and the protected structure is less than the distance between the top surface of the dielectric and the protected structure.

[0024] Furthermore, the porous plug of the reference electrode on the sensor assembly is separated from the protected structure and does not directly contact the protected structure.

[0025] Furthermore, the computer processor component is configured to retrieve data collected from each sensor component individually or collectively in any order.

[0026] Furthermore, the reference electrode includes a potential sensing electrode.

[0027] The beneficial effects of this utility model are reflected in:

[0028] A sensor system is deployed around buried metal pipelines and connected to a computer processing unit via a cable bus, forming an automated evaluation device and system for pipeline cathodic protection systems. This system monitors the corrosion potential of the metal pipelines at specified time intervals, providing data that can identify and predict several important conditions, including the effectiveness of the CP system, locations of insufficient protection, interference from other mechanisms, and CP system failures. It can periodically or even automatically test metal pipelines at very low cost, avoiding human error.

[0029] The system automatically receives periodic measurements via transceivers and multiple deployed sensors. The sensor system can receive measurements only at selected time intervals and can remain in standby mode until power is supplied or changed, or until a request to collect measurements via multiple sensors is received. The sensor system detects irregularities in the received measurements or sensor data through various sensors located at specific locations adjacent to the structure. Sensor data is stored in a system database and can be analyzed for monitoring and alarm generation.

[0030] The automatic data collection function of the sensor system disclosed herein can collect the current status of the cathodic protection system, thus providing immediate, real-time access to the effectiveness of the cathodic protection. This improved accessibility to reports may enable timely remediation when immediate attention to a pipeline or cathodic protection system is required. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device for automatically monitoring the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system for metal pipelines according to this utility model;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the computer processor assembly of this utility model;

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sensor assembly of this utility model.

[0034] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0035] 200. Computer processor assembly; 210. Sensor assembly; 220. Electrical data bus; 230. Medium; 240. Protected structure.

[0036] 310. Controller; 320. Sensor; 330. Reference electrode; 340. Memory; 350. Input / output interface;

[0037] 510. Central controller; 520. Power supply; 530. Central memory; 540. Central input / output interface. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present utility model, and not all of them. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0039] Please see Figure 1 This utility model provides a device for automatically monitoring the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system for metal pipes, comprising a computer processor assembly 200, a sensor assembly 210, an electrical data bus 220, a medium 230, and a protected structure 240.

[0040] Computer processor component 200 is connected to one or more sensor components 210 placed along electrical data bus 220 (e.g., see [reference]). Figure 1 The first reference node 210a, the second reference node 210b, the third reference node 210c, etc., and the sensor assembly 210 and the electrical data bus 220 are buried or immersed in the medium 230 (e.g., natural soil, water, etc.).

[0041] The sensor assembly 210 is placed at a first distance from the protected structure 240 (i.e., Figure 1In the diagram, reference nodes 210a, 210b, 210c... are placed at a predetermined distance within the protected structure 240, spaced apart from each other at a selected distance. For example, a first reference node 210a and an adjacent second reference node 210b may be spaced apart from each other at a selected distance D1. In some embodiments, each adjacent reference node may be evenly spaced apart from each other throughout the electrical data bus 220; that is, a third reference node 210c and an adjacent second reference node 210b may be spaced apart from each other at a selected distance D1. Furthermore, a fourth reference node (not shown) may be spaced apart from the third reference node 210c at a selected distance D1. However, in other embodiments, each adjacent reference node may be spaced apart at a different distance throughout the electrical data bus 220. For example, a first reference node 210a and an adjacent second reference node 210b may be spaced apart from each other at a selected distance D1, but a second reference node 210b and an adjacent third reference node 210c may be spaced apart from each other at a distance different from D1. Normally, D1 can be selected as less than 6 meters.

[0042] Adjacent sensor components 210 are separated by a second distance (i.e. Figure 1 Separate from D1 in the text.

[0043] Computer processor assembly 200 includes a central controller, a power supply, and a rectifier. However, in other embodiments, individual components may be further added, or some of the listed components may be omitted; for example, the rectifier may be omitted, or it may be present but located away from the computer processor assembly 200.

[0044] In one embodiment, computer processor component 200 is coupled to one end of electrical data bus 220.

[0045] The electrical data bus 230 includes cable structures such as coaxial cable, CAT6, fiber optic cable, WiFi, LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, 4G, or any type of wired or radio data bus, as well as data bearer lines.

[0046] The protected structure 240 can be any type of partially or entirely metallic structure, including metal pipelines, storage tanks, reinforced concrete structures, seawalls, bridges, buildings, or transportation systems. For ease of explanation, the protected structure 240 here refers to a metal pipeline (the following description uses metal pipelines as an example). The fluid being transported or stored can be petroleum gas, propane, or any petroleum product, and can be in any fluid form, including liquids, gases, pressurized gases, liquefied gases, or any other fluid form.

[0047] It should also be noted that, although Figure 1The electrical data bus 220 with reference node 210 shown is arranged above the metal conduit 240, but this is only shown as an example. For example, the electrical data bus 220 may be arranged below the metal conduit 240. In another example, the electrical data bus 220 may be arranged side by side in parallel around the metal conduit 240, or in any other location adjacent to the metal conduit 240.

[0048] In this system, power is supplied to the electrical data bus 220 via the power supply of the computer processor component 200, and the reference node is correspondingly powered to obtain a potential reading between the reference electrode in the reference node and the protected structure 240. The voltage difference between the reference electrode in the first reference node 210a and the metal pipe 240 can be sensed at the first reference node 201a. In some embodiments, this voltage difference measured by the sensor system at the first reference node 210a can be interpreted as an indication of the effectiveness of the cathodic protection system on the pipe. When the measured polarization potential is more negative than a predetermined threshold indicating a protected potential, it indicates that the cathodic protection system is operating normally and is in a protected state.

[0049] In one embodiment, after obtaining the potential at each reference node 210, these values ​​are compared with previous data and data from nearby sensor nodes 210 to evaluate the accuracy and functionality of each sensor node 210.

[0050] In one embodiment, reference node 210 is embedded and maintained in an idle mode until computer processor component 200 supplies power to reference node 210 to retrieve data collected at reference node 210. Reference node 210 can also be configured to continuously, periodically, or intermittently collect voltage readings at that particular location over selected time periods; the system can be programmed to provide power at selected time intervals or to remain powered at all times. Furthermore, the system can remain idle until it is specifically instructed to be turned on or manually turned on by a local operator. When reference node 210 receives a request from computer processor component 200 to report its data (in some embodiments, the node may report data based on a schedule, event, or continuously rather than upon request), the data is transmitted to computer processor component 200 via electrical data bus 220. In one or more embodiments, each reference node is individually addressable so that computer processor component 200 can request data in any order.

[0051] Furthermore, since the sensor system according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure measures whether the cathodic protection system is operating at a specific location (e.g., the location of the reference node), any deficiencies of the cathodic protection system can be identified and responded to in real time or substantially in real time, thereby avoiding any potential damage to property and life.

[0052] Please see Figure 2 The computer processor assembly 200 (which may include additional components as needed, such as rectifiers, level shifters, etc., but is not limited to) Figure 2 The components shown include,

[0053] Central controller 510 is used to perform data collection and control feature operations; central controller 510 is operatively coupled to power supply 520. Power supply 520 is capable of supplying power to reference node 210 on electrical data bus 220 based on instructions from central controller 510; central controller 510 may include any circuit, feature, component, electronic component, etc.

[0054] The central controller 510 may include any processor-based or microprocessor-based system, including systems using microcontrollers, reduced instruction set computers (RISC), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), graphics processing units (GPUs), logic circuits, and any other circuitry or processors capable of performing the functions described herein. For example, the central controller 510 may be implemented using a Raspberry Pi.

[0055] In one embodiment, the central controller 510 may be included in or otherwise implemented by processing circuitry, such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, integrated circuit, chip, microchip, etc. The central controller 510 may be connected to a communication bus.

[0056] Power supply 520 supplies power to sensor assembly 210 on electrical data bus 220 based on instructions from central controller 510;

[0057] Central memory 530 is used to store data collected by some or all of the sensor components 210 during an operating cycle; central memory 530 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disk drive, or removable storage drive such as optical disk drive, solid-state drive (e.g., flash RAM), etc. Central memory 530 may also be other similar means for loading computer programs or other instructions into a computer or processor.

[0058] For example, when power to the electrical data bus 220 is supplied via power supply 520 during an operating cycle, the reference nodes collect voltage data at their respective locations and store it in their respective memories 340. The central controller 510 may request the reference nodes to send back the data collected and stored in their memories 340. When all data from the reference nodes has been collected, this data is stored in the central memory 530 of the computer processor assembly 200. When the operating cycle ends and power to the electrical data bus 220 is cut off, the reference nodes no longer collect data along the electrical data bus 200.

[0059] In one embodiment, since the memory 340 used in the reference nodes is volatile, powering off 520 will erase the previously collected data in the memory 340. However, since all data from the various reference nodes 210 is transmitted and stored in the central memory 530, no data is lost or omitted.

[0060] The central input / output interface 540 is used to send control commands to the sensor assembly 210 via the electrical data bus 220.

[0061] Please see Figure 3 The sensor assembly 210 includes a controller 310 for performing data collection and control operations on the sensor 320; the controller 310 includes processing circuitry, such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, integrated circuit, chip, microchip, processing unit, logic circuit, etc.

[0062] One or more sensors 320 are used to detect and sense the voltage associated with the reference / reference electrode 330;

[0063] One or more reference electrodes 330;

[0064] Memory 340 is used to store data collected from sensor 320. Memory 340 stores data collected from sensor 320. Memory 340 may include any suitable memory capable of storing recorded data. For example, the storage device used may be static random access memory (SRAM). When the sensor system according to this disclosure is powered by computer processor component 200, sensor 320 collects data within a specific time period, and the SRAM retains the data values. This data stored in memory 340 is retrieved via electrical data bus 220 and may be loaded into computer processor component 200. Memory 340 may also store computer programs or other instructions for loading into controller 310, such as update software, data filtering or analysis software, geolocation data, or data from other sensors.

[0065] In one or more embodiments, the memory 340 may be included on the controller 310.

[0066] Input / output interface 350 is used to send collected data back to computer processor assembly 200 via electrical data bus 220. Input / output interface 350 includes various connections within reference node 200, connections to adjacent reference nodes and electrical data bus 220, and other connections required for communicating data with computer processor assembly 200 via electrical data bus 200.

[0067] In one embodiment, the input / output interface 350 includes a data input / output interface and a power interface. For example, some electrical connections or lines can be used to transmit both data and power.

[0068] The input / output interface 350 includes an electrical connection for sending collected data back to the computer processor component 200 via the electrical data bus 220.

[0069] In one embodiment, the reference sensor assembly 210 is closer to the metal conduit 240 than the boundary of the electrolyte (e.g., the Earth's surface).

[0070] In some embodiments, the sensor 320 and the reference electrode 330 may be operatively coupled to each other. However, in other embodiments, the reference electrode 330 may be implemented within the sensor 320, rather than as a separate component.

[0071] In one embodiment, the reference electrode 330 includes a potential sensing electrode.

[0072] In one or more embodiments, the sensor 320 and / or the reference electrode 330 may be located or housed outside the housing of the reference node 210.

[0073] In one embodiment, reference node 210 will include a reference electrode 330, and a second reference electrode 330 will be placed at a known distance from reference node 210. In this way, a common corrosion engineering test called DC voltage gradient measurement can be performed.

[0074] In one or more embodiments, the power supply for reference node 210 can be obtained from computer processor assembly 200 via electrical data bus 220. When computer processor assembly 200 supplies power to reference node 210 via coupling, reference node 210 is activated along electrical data bus 220. With power supplied to each component of reference node 210, sensor 320 measures the voltage between reference electrode 330 and metal structure 240. Voltage data collected at each reference node 210 is stored in a corresponding memory 340 of each reference node 210. For example, voltage data collected at first reference node 210a is collected in memory within first reference node 210a. Similarly, voltage data collected at second reference node 210b is collected in memory within second reference node 210b, and current data collected at third reference node 210c is collected in memory within third reference node 210c.

[0075] In one embodiment, the first distance is greater than zero. Specifically, it can be between approximately 2 cm and 2.2 meters; more preferably, the first distance is greater than 3 cm and less than 1 meter.

[0076] In one embodiment, the distance between the electrical data bus 220 and the protected structure 240 is less than the distance between the top surface of the medium 230 and the protected structure 240. Specifically, the distance from the top surface of the medium 230 to the reference node 210 is D3.

[0077] Preferably, the distance to D3 is large enough that traffic directly on the soil surface, whether pedestrian or vehicular, will not affect the electrical data bus 220.

[0078] In one embodiment, the porous plug of the reference electrode on the sensor assembly 210 is spaced apart from and does not directly contact the protected structure 240. Instead, it is adjacent to the protected structure 240. This is because space needs to be left for the medium 230 to be used as an electrolyte to form an electrochemical circuit.

[0079] In one embodiment, the computer processor component 200 is configured to retrieve data collected from each sensor component 210 individually or collectively in any order. For example, the computer processor component 200 may issue a request to retrieve data stored in the second reference node 210b, and retrieve only the data stored in the first reference node 210b. In this case, the data stored in the first reference node 210a and the third reference node 210c may be stored in their respective memories but cannot be retrieved by the computer processor component 200. In another example, the computer processor component 200 may issue a request along the electrical data bus 220 to retrieve data stored in all reference nodes. That is, data from the first, second, and third reference nodes 210a, 210b, and 210c may be collected subsequently or simultaneously. In yet another example, the computer processor component 200 may issue a request to retrieve data stored in the order of the second reference node 210b, the third reference node 210c, and the first reference node 210a. In other words, each reference node can be identified by an addressing scheme, and the computer processor component 200 can locate and identify each reference node by the addressing scheme, and collect data from the first, second, and third reference nodes 210a, 210b, and 210c in any order. Communication between the computer processor component 200 and the reference nodes is not limited to an addressing request model. Therefore, in one or more embodiments, the reference nodes can push data to the computer processor component 200, send data on a schedule, send data continuously, or use other digital communication paradigms. When power from the computer processor component 200 is not supplied to the reference nodes, the reference nodes are located beneath the medium 230 adjacent to the transmission structure 220. For example, the reference nodes may be idle and buried in this location. However, when powered on, the reference nodes collect data for a set period of time during power-on and store voltage data in memory. The computer processor component 200 can collect voltage data stored in the reference node's memory before power is turned off. When power is turned off, since the memory is, in some embodiments, volatile memory such as SRAM, the previously collected data is erased, and newly collected data will be stored in memory during the next power-on.

[0080] Data can be collected at any time and at any time period at computer processor component 200. The number and rate of returned readings can be handled by any acceptable processor based on the rates provided by its memory, data transfer rate, processing power, speed, and other system parameters.

[0081] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc., the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture as shown in the attached figure. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0082] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the meaning of "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions; for example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied. Furthermore, "multiple" refers to two or more. Moreover, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, such a combination of technical solutions should be considered non-existent.

[0083] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A device for automatically monitoring the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system for metal pipelines, characterized in that: include, Computer processor assembly (200), sensor assembly (210), electrical data bus (220), medium (230), and protected structure (240). The computer processor assembly (200) is connected to one or more sensor assemblies (210) placed along an electrical data bus (220), the sensor assemblies (210) and the electrical data bus (220) being embedded or immersed in a medium (230); The sensor assembly (210) is placed at a first distance from the protected structure (240), and adjacent sensor assemblies (210) are separated by a second distance.

2. The device for automatically monitoring the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system for metal pipelines as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The computer processor assembly (200) includes, The central controller (510) is used to perform data collection and control feature operations; The power supply (520) supplies power to the sensor assembly (210) on the electrical data bus (220) based on instructions from the central controller (510); Central memory (530) for storing data collected by some or all of the sensor components (210) during the operating cycle; and, A central input / output interface (540) is used to send control commands to the sensor assembly (210) via an electrical data bus (220).

3. The device for automatically monitoring the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system for metal pipelines as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The sensor assembly (210) includes, The controller (310) is used to perform data collection and control operations on the sensor (320); One or more sensors (320) are used to detect and sense the voltage associated with the reference / reference electrode (330); One or more reference electrodes (330) are used as a reference when measuring electrode potential; Memory (340) for storing data collected from sensor (320); and, An input / output interface (350) is provided for sending collected data back to the computer processor component (200) via an electrical data bus (220).

4. The device for automatically monitoring the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system for metal pipelines as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The sensor (320) and the reference / reference electrode (330) are operably coupled to each other or the reference / reference electrode (330) is implemented within the sensor (320).

5. The device for automatically monitoring the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system for metal pipelines as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The sensor (320) and / or reference electrode (330) are located or housed outside the housing of the sensor assembly (210).

6. A device for automatically monitoring the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system for metal pipelines as described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The first distance is greater than zero.

7. A device for automatically monitoring the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system for metal pipelines as described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The distance between the electrical data bus (220) and the protected structure (240) is less than the distance between the top surface of the medium (230) and the protected structure (240).

8. A device for automatically monitoring the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system for metal pipelines as described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The porous plug of the reference electrode on the sensor assembly (210) is separated from the protected structure (240) and does not directly contact the protected structure (240).

9. A device for automatically monitoring the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system for metal pipelines as described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The computer processor component (200) is configured to retrieve data collected from each sensor component (210) individually or collectively in any order.

10. The device for automatically monitoring the effectiveness of a cathodic protection system for metal pipelines as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The reference electrode (330) includes a potential sensing electrode.

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