Device for the detection and quantification of gaseous hydrocarbon leaks from a buried pipeline
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- I S I F
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-01
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-21
AI Technical Summary
Current systems lack precise control over the dispersion of flammable gases or vapors from underground pipelines into the atmosphere through vent pipes, and there is a need for improved monitoring and quantification of gaseous hydrocarbon leaks to comply with stricter environmental regulations.
A device comprising sensors, flow meters, and a computer processing unit to detect and quantify gaseous hydrocarbon leaks in vent pipes, integrated with a power supply and communication system for continuous monitoring and data transmission.
The device provides reliable, continuous monitoring and quantification of hydrocarbon leaks, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and reducing the risk of explosive events by detecting and measuring leak concentrations and flow rates accurately.
Smart Images
Figure IB2025059879_21052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] DEVICE FOR THE DETECTION AND QUANTIFICATION OF GASEOUS HYDROCARBON LEAKAGES FROM A BURIED PIPELINE
[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The present invention falls within the technical sector of networks for the transport and distribution of fluids, in particular flammable fluids such as gaseous hydrocarbons, for example methane gas.
[0004] BACKGROUND ART
[0005] Very often the pipelines that form these networks extend for kilometers and branch out in multiple directions, covering even very vast territorial extensions.
[0006] In the context of this invention, pipelines located below ground level are considered, which usually represent the major part of a transport or distribution network.
[0007] Along the aforementioned underground pipelines, line valves are located, usually, although not necessarily, of the ball type, to section off certain parts of the corresponding network and / or to stop the flow of fluid downstream of a certain point, for example for maintenance work.
[0008] The aforementioned line valves are accessible from relative inspection wells, closed for example by corresponding manholes, and can be operated manually or, much more frequently, by respective motorized operating groups, controlled remotely.
[0009] The same Applicant has at the time filed the National patent application for industrial invention No. 102020000026648, subsequently extended with PCT procedure with No. PCT / IB2021 / 060357, in which there is disclosed and defended a “Method and system for the automatic operation and functional verification of line valves installed in fluid distribution networks”, specifically designed to prevent the ball valves from becoming blocked if left in the open position for long periods. Possible leaks, even tiny ones, in some gaskets in the operating parts of a ball valve, or in areas of the pipeline near the relevant inspection chamber, can lead to flammable gas or vapours entering the chamber. If they reach a high concentration, they could explode when the motorised operating unit is activated.
[0010] The same Applicant then filed the International PCT patent application published under No. WO2023 / 053296, with the title “Device for preventing accumulation of flammable fluid in manholes containing line valves”, which discloses a device designed to prevent such explosions and manufactured taking into account the current regulations, so much so that the installation it can be validated in risk class “2”, or as a “safe volume”, according to the ATEX classification.
[0011] TECHNICAL PROBLEM
[0012] Other sections of these buried pipelines are instead encased in a tubular sheath of suitably larger diameter, so that an annular safety chamber remains between the inner wall of the sheath and the outer wall of the pipeline. These sections of encased pipelines are located where they cross areas beneath surface installations, such as railway or road lines, which are intended to be protected with higher standards against explosion risks.
[0013] The known technique provides for any accumulation of flammable gases or vapors in the annular safety chamber to be evacuated to the surface and dispersed into the atmosphere through a vent pipe.
[0014] In the situations just described, the aim is to prevent explosive events but there is no precise control of what is dispersed into the atmosphere through the vent pipes.
[0015] With a view to ever greater environmental protection, stricter regulations are expected that will require more careful monitoring of atmospheric emissions parameters, capable of recording the trend over time of what escapes from a facility so as to be able to promptly notice any increase in values towards abnormal levels.
[0016] OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The aim of the present invention is therefore to propose a device for the detection and quantification of gaseous hydrocarbon leaks from an underground pipeline, conveyed out of the subsoil by a vent pipe that flows into the atmosphere, so that the polluting impact of such leaks can be constantly monitored.
[0018] Another object of the invention is to provide a device shaped in such a way that it can be associated with a vent pipe coming from a manhole in which a line valve mounted in said underground pipe is housed, with the aforementioned line valve possibly provided with a motorized maneuvering group.
[0019] Another aim of the invention is to obtain a device that can be partially combined with a motorized maneuvering group associated with a ball valve produced by the same Applicant.
[0020] A further aim of the invention concerns the desire to obtain a device suitable to be associated with a vent pipe coming from the annular safety chamber of a section of pipe covered by a sheath.
[0021] Yet another aim of the invention is to create a device with construction features capable of achieving the type of results required by the regulations soon to come into force.
[0022] Another further aim of the invention is to obtain a device which offers the guarantee of reliable operation even without requiring frequent maintenance and that the values provided to quantify the consistency of any leaks of gaseous hydrocarbons are reliable.
[0023] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0024] These and other purposes are fully achieved by means of a device for the detection and quantification of gaseous hydrocarbon leaks from a buried pipeline for the transport of said flammable fluids, with said leaks occurring in or flowing into chambers also buried and communicating with said pipeline, and from each of which originates a proximal end of a vent pipe, extended upwards so that its distal end is at a predetermined height above ground level, with said vent pipe open at both said ends and capable of define an evacuation route in the atmosphere of gaseous hydrocarbons possibly leaked from the said pipe and flowed into the aforementioned chamber.
[0025] The aforementioned device provides:
[0026] - at least one sensor, suitable for detecting the presence of said gaseous hydrocarbons present in said vent pipe and to determine their concentration;
[0027] - a flow meter, associated with said vent pipe and intended to measure the flow rate of gaseous fluid in the latter per unit of time;
[0028] - a computer processing unit, intended to receive the detection data provided by the aforementioned at least one sensor and flow meter;
[0029] - a power supply unit, intended to supply electrical power to the said at least one sensor and a flow meter as well as to the aforementioned computer processing unit;
[0030] - a computer program procedure, executed in the computer processing unit, comprising instructions for processing the sensing data sent by the said at least one sensor with the sensing data sent by said flow meter to obtain, from information relating to the concentration values of said gaseous hydrocarbons and the flow rate of the gaseous fluid in said vent pipe, a quantitative value of the extent of the leakage of said gaseous hydrocarbons which passes through the said vent pipe and which is then dispersed into the atmosphere from the latter.
[0031] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The characteristic features of the invention will be evident from the following description of preferred embodiments of the device for the detection and quantification of gaseous hydrocarbon leaks, according to the claims and with the aid of the attached drawing tables, in which:
[0033] - Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the detection and quantification device, associated with a vent pipe connected to a well in which a ball line valve is housed, which intercepts an underground pipeline carrying gaseous hydrocarbons;
[0034] - Fig. 2 illustrates, in a schematic view similar to Fig. 1 , a second device embodiment, some components of which are in common with similar components of a motorized maneuvering group associated with said ball line valve;
[0035] - Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic view in which the aforementioned preferred device embodiment is associated with a vent pipe connected to an annular safety chamber, defined between an underground pipe and a sheath that encases a section of it.
[0036] DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0037] In the above figures, the reference 1 indicates, as a whole, the device for the detection and quantification of gaseous hydrocarbon leaks from an underground pipeline T for the transport of said flammable fluids.
[0038] As specified in the introduction, this underground pipeline T is part of a network (not shown) for the transport and distribution of fluids, in particular gaseous hydrocarbons, such as methane gas. The aforementioned methane gas leaks may occur, or flow into, chambers C which communicate with at least a portion of the said underground pipeline T.
[0039] In the following description, the two most frequent practical situations, already mentioned in the introduction, are considered, in which the aforementioned chamber C is identified with:
[0040] - a well where a line valve is housed, for example a ball valve Vs, mounted in said underground pipeline T and possibly equipped with a motorized maneuvering group M (see Figs. 1 and 2); in this case, possible leaks are normally caused by imperfect seals in the gaskets in the parts that operate the ball valve itself; it is also possible that leaks that have occurred in nearby sections of the T pipeline for other reasons may flow into the well;
[0041] - a security ring chamber, defined between the external wall of a stretch of buried pipeline T and the internal wall by a tubular sheath F of suitably larger diameter which encases the aforementioned section of pipeline T (Fig. 3); in this case, possible leaks may occur in the joint flanges that join pipeline T or in other points where a closing cap may be present, due to sealing defects in the gaskets and / or couplings.
[0042] From each of the aforementioned chambers C, well or annular safety chamber, a proximal end 2P of a vent pipe 2 originates, extended upwards so that its distal end 2D is at a predetermined height above ground level.
[0043] The vent pipe 2 is open at both the mentioned ends 2P, 2D and is suitable for define an evacuation route in the atmosphere of gaseous hydrocarbons possibly leaked from the said pipeline T and present or flowed into the aforementioned chamber C.
[0044] It should be noted that in the possible situations just mentioned, gas leaks are usually modest.
[0045] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device 11t is designed to detect and quantify gaseous hydrocarbon leaks from underground pipeline T, which are collected in chamber C and from there conveyed out of the subsoil by vent pipe 2, which flows into the atmosphere, in order to constantly monitor the polluting impact of such leaks.
[0046] The device 1 comprises, in the aforementioned preferred embodiment of the invention, essentially:
[0047] - a sensor 3G, suitable for detecting the presence of said gaseous hydrocarbons present in said vent pipe 2 and to determine their concentration;
[0048] - a flowmeter 4, associated with the vent pipe 2 and intended to measure the flow rate of gaseous fluid in the latter per unit of time;
[0049] - a computer processing unit 5, intended to receive the detection data provided by the aforementioned at least one sensor 3G and flow meter 4;
[0050] - a power supply unit 6, intended to supply electrical energy to said at least one sensor 3G and a flow meter 4 as well as to the computer processing unit 5.
[0051] The latter contains a computer program procedure, which includes instructions for processing the detection data sent by the sensor organ 3G with the detection data sent by said flowmeter 4 to obtain, starting from information relating to the concentration values of the gaseous hydrocarbons and the flow rate of the gaseous fluid in said vent pipe 2, a value indicative of the extent of the loss of said gaseous hydrocarbons which passes through said vent pipe 2 and which is then dispersed into the atmosphere from the latter.
[0052] Advantageously, as illustrated in the attached figures, the aforementioned sensor 3G and flowmeter 4 are positioned in a portion of the vent pipe 2 close to the aforementioned distal end 2D, where the gaseous fluid is released into the atmosphere.
[0053] To make it easier to collect data regarding the extent of the leak of gaseous hydrocarbons in the place where the device 1 is installed, a transceiver device 7 is advantageously provided, for example a mobile phone or satellite phone, connected via interface to said computer processing unit 5 and intended to communicate with a remote operations centre 8 for sending and receiving data.
[0054] In a possible embodiment of the device 1 , not illustrated as it is intuitive to understand, said power supply unit 6 is connected to a fixed external power line, and includes at least one buffer battery, suitable for supplying electrical power supply in the event of a power failure from said fixed external power line.
[0055] In the preferred embodiment shown in the attached figures, however, the power supply unit 6 provides a module 10 for the autonomous power supply of electricity, comprising at least one photovoltaic panel 11 , a battery charger 12 and at least one accumulator 13. Obviously, this construction solution makes the device 1 suitable for installation even in places not served by an electricity grid.
[0056] The preferred embodiment of the device 1 , in order to further make the provided responses precise, advantageously provides:
[0057] - a humidity sensor 3H, inserted in said vent pipe 2, intended to detect the humidity level present in the air component of the gaseous fluid that passes through the same vent pipe; the relevant data acquired by said humidity sensor 3H are sent to the aforementioned computer processing unit 5 and processed by it together with those provided by the aforementioned at least one sensor 3G and a flow meter 4 to quantify, starting from information relating to the concentration values of said gaseous hydrocarbons, the flow rate of the gaseous fluid in said vent pipe 2, and the quantity of water vapour present therein, the extent of the loss of said gaseous hydrocarbons.
[0058] - a temperature sensor 3T, inserted in said vent pipe 2, intended to detect the degree of heat of the gaseous fluid that passes through the same vent pipe 2; the relevant data acquired by said temperature sensor are sent to the aforementioned computer processing unit 5 and processed by it together with those provided by the aforementioned at least one sensor organ 3G and a flow meter 4 to quantify, starting from information relating to the concentration values of said gaseous hydrocarbons, the flow rate of the gaseous fluid in said vent pipe 2, and the temperature parameters of said flow, the extent of the loss of said gaseous hydrocarbons.
[0059] Like the aforementioned sensor 3G and the flowmeter 4, the humidity sensor 3H and temperature sensor 3T are positioned in proximity to the aforementioned distal end 2D of the vent pipe 2; it is important to point out that since the attached figures are schematic, the relative position of these components, as well as their position inside the vent pipe 2, are purely indicative and may vary during the device 1 assembly operations.
[0060] The device 1 , in the illustrated embodiment, is designed to house the computer processing unit 5, the power supply unit 6, the charger 12 and accumulator 13 of module 10, as well as the transceiver 7 in a watertight box-shaped container 100, associated to the side of the vent pipe 2, approximately at the level at which the sensor 3G, the flow meter 4, the3H humidity sensor and 3T temperature sensor.
[0061] The top of the box container 100 can provide support for the aforementioned photovoltaic panel 11 .
[0062] In the application example shown in Fig. 1 , the device 1 is associated with the vent pipe 2 which comes from a cited well C in which a ball valve Vs is housed, installed in said pipe T and equipped with a system S for its motorised closing and opening. In this application, device 1 is completely independent from system S.
[0063] In the application example shown in Fig. 2, the device 1 is still associated with the vent pipe 2 which comes from the aforementioned well C in which a ball valve Vs is housed, installed in said pipe T and equipped with a system S for its motorised closing and opening.
[0064] This system S, in addition to the aforementioned motorized maneuvering group M comprises, as is known, its own electronic processing and control unit U5 and a respective electrical supply unit U6.
[0065] It is therefore possible to configure a second embodiment of the device 1 , in which some of its components are substantially incorporated into the analogous components of the system S.
[0066] More precisely, in fact:
[0067] - the above-mentioned computer program procedure is installed in the aforementioned electronic processing and control unit U5 of the system S, which consequently also defines the computer processing unit 5 of the device 1 ;
[0068] - the power supply group 6 is integrated into said power supply unit U6 of the S system.
[0069] With this second embodiment, an advantageous interaction can be obtained between the device 1 and the system S which controls the operation of the ball valve Vs; obviously, the integration between the device 1 and the system S is facilitated if the latter is of the type produced by the same Applicant.
[0070] In the application example shown in Fig. 3, the device 1 is associated with the vent pipe 2 which comes from an annular safety chamber C, defined, as already said, between a buried conduit T and a tubular sheath F which encases it; as is evident from Fig. 3 itself, the device 1 is configured in the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1.
[0071] The device 1 described above has an automatic operation that allows for the constant monitoring of the gas flow passing through the vent pipe 2, and in the event that there are hydrocarbon particles in it, caused by leaks, to precisely detect their presence and concentration, in an analytical manner.
[0072] The acquired parameters are stored chronologically and allow for the evaluation of the possible polluting impact caused by the emissions into the atmosphere of the gaseous fluid leaking from the vent pipe.
[0073] The device proposed with the present invention therefore becomes essential in view of the expected new reference regulations.
[0074] The above description highlights the versatility of the proposed device which, being associated with a vent pipe, functions without being influenced by what is upstream of the latter, i.e. whether it is a well housing a ball valve or a section of pipe encased in a sheath, or something else entirely.
[0075] This versatility, expressed in terms of construction, is also evident in the described embodiment in which components of device 1 are incorporated into similar components of a system for the motorized operation of a ball valve; as already specified, this union is greatly facilitated if the system is the one produced by the same Applicant.
[0076] The device is mostly made up of commercially available components, therefore extensively tested and precise, and has no moving mechanical parts that may require periodic maintenance, therefore it can be said that reliable operation over time is guaranteed and that the values provided to quantify the consistency of any leaks of gaseous hydrocarbons are reliable.
[0077] However, it is understood that the above description has an exemplifying and non-limiting value, therefore any variations in detail that may be necessary for technical and / or functional reasons are considered from now on to fall within the same scope of protection defined by the claims reported below.
Claims
CLAIMS1 . Device for the detection and quantification of gaseous hydrocarbon leaks from a buried pipeline (T) for the transport of said flammable fluids, said leaks occurring or flowing into a chamber (C), also buried and communicating with said pipeline (T), and from which originates a proximal end (2P) of a vent pipe (2), extended upwards so that its distal end (2D) is at a predetermined height above ground level, with said vent pipe (2) open at both the aforementioned ends and capable of define an evacuation route in the atmosphere of gaseous hydrocarbons possibly leaked from said pipeline (T) and merged into the aforementioned chamber(C), and with said device (1) being characterised in that it includes:- at least one sensor (3G), suitable for detecting the presence of said gaseous hydrocarbons present in said vent pipe (2) and to determine their concentration;- a flow meter (4), associated with said vent pipe (2) and intended to measure the flow rate of gaseous fluid in the latter per unit of time;- a computer processing unit (5), intended to receive the detection data provided by the aforementioned at least one sensor (3G) and flowmeter (4);- a power supply group (6), intended for the supply of electrical power to said at least one sensor (3G) and a flowmeter (4) as well as the aforementioned computer processing unit (5);- a computer program procedure, run by said computer processing unit (5), including instructions for processing sensing data sent by the aforementioned at least one sensor (3G) and the detection data sent by said flowmeter ( 4) to obtain, starting from information relating to the concentrationvalues of said gaseous hydrocarbons and the flow rate of the gaseous fluid in said vent pipe (2), a quantitative value of the extent of the loss of said gaseous hydrocarbons which passes through said vent pipe (2) and which is then dispersed into the atmosphere from the latter.
2. Device according to claim 1 , characterised in that a watertight boxshaped container (100) is provided, associated with the same vent pipe (2), suitable for housing at least said computer processing unit (5) as well as the aforementioned power supply unit (6).
3. Device according to claim 1 , located at a well in which a ball valve (Vs) is housed installed in said pipeline (T) and in which the aforementioned chamber (C) is defined, a system (S) being applied to said ball valve (Vs) for its motorised closing and opening which comprises, among other things, a motorized maneuvering group (M), an electronic processing and control unit (U5) and a power supply unit (U6), with said device(1 ) characterised in that the related mentioned power supply unit (6) is integrated into said power supply unit (U6) of the system (S) and in that said computer program procedure is installed in the above-mentioned electronic processing and control unit (U5) of the same system (S), which also defines said computer processing unit (5).
4. Device according to claim 1 or 3, characterised in that it comprises a transceiver apparatus (7), interfaced to said computer processing unit (5), or to said electronic processing and control unit (U5), and intended to communicate with a remote operations centre (8) for sending and receiving data.
5. Device according to claim 1 or 3, characterised in that said power supply unit (6) is connected to a fixed external power line, and includes at least one buffer battery, suitable for supplying electrical energy in the event of an interruption of the voltage coming fromsaid fixed external power line.
6. Device according to claim 1 or 3, characterised in that in said power supply group (6) there is provided a module (10) for the autonomous supply of electrical power, comprising at least one photovoltaic panel (11 ), a battery charger (12) and at least one accumulator (13).
7. Device according to claim 1 or 3, characterised in that a humidity sensor (3H) is provided, inserted into said vent pipe (2), intended to detect the humidity level present in the air content of the gaseous fluid that passes through the same vent pipe (2), with the related data acquired by said humidity sensor (3H) being fit to be sent to the aforementioned computer processing unit (5) and elaborated by this together with those provided by the aforementioned at least one sensor (3G) and a flowmeter (4) to quantify, starting from information relating to the concentration values of said gaseous hydrocarbons, the flow rate of the gaseous fluid in said vent pipe (2), and the quantity of water vapor present in it, the extent of the loss of said gaseous hydrocarbons.
8. Device according to claim 1 or 3, characterised in that a temperature sensor (3T) is provided, inserted into said vent pipe (2), intended to detect the temperature of the gaseous fluid that passes through the same vent pipe (2), the relevant data acquired by said temperature sensor (3T) being intended to be sent to the aforementioned computer processing unit (5) and elaborated by this latter together with those provided by the aforementioned at least one sensor (3G) and a flowmeter (4) to quantify, starting from information relating to the concentration values of said gaseous hydrocarbons, the flow rate of the gaseous fluid in said vent pipe (2) and the temperature parameters of such flow, the extent of the loss of said gaseous hydrocarbons.