Flexible Joint Hydrocarbon Leak Detection Sensor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible joints in hydrocarbon pipes, particularly those used in FPSO units, face challenges in detecting leaks without interrupting oil production, as current inspection methods require disassembly and are prone to false alerts, and cannot withstand operational and environmental stresses.
Innovation Solution
Integration of sensors, such as capacitive sensors, within the flexible joint to detect hydrocarbons in an incompressible liquid, allowing for continuous monitoring and early detection of leaks without disassembly, using a system that includes data acquisition, preprocessing, and transmission modules to generate alarm signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If regular inspection of the flexible joint is performed to ensure the frustoconical abutment is intact, then safety is improved, but oil production must be interrupted causing financial loss
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs preliminary detection of hydrocarbon presence in the peripheral space before a actual leak occurs. By continuously monitoring for hydrocarbons in the incompressible liquid, the system can detect sealing breaks early, allowing maintenance to be scheduled during planned production interruptions rather than requiring emergency shutdowns.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor acts as an intermediary detection device that monitors the condition of the bellows sealing without requiring direct access to the frustoconical abutment or disassembly of the joint. The sensor detects hydrocarbon presence in the peripheral space as an intermediate indicator of potential sealing failures, enabling indirect monitoring that maintains continuous operation.
2Measurement precision
If the joint is disassembled for inspection of the metal bellows, then detection accuracy is improved, but the complexity of maintenance and operational disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is extracted from the mechanical inspection process and implemented as a separate sensor system. Instead of disassembling the joint to visually inspect the bellows, the sensor system independently monitors for hydrocarbon presence in the peripheral space, providing detection accuracy without requiring disassembly or increasing maintenance complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical inspection process is replaced with an automated sensor-based detection system. The sensor electronically detects hydrocarbon presence through electrical properties (capacitive or resistive changes) rather than requiring mechanical disassembly and visual inspection, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while simplifying the maintenance process.
3Reliability
If a sensor system is integrated into the flexible joint for continuous monitoring, then detection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality to justify its integration. The same sensor platform can detect hydrocarbon presence, monitor sealing integrity, and provide early warning of potential failures. This universal detection capability improves reliability while the modular design keeps the added complexity manageable through standardized components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable, real-time leak detection in hydrocarbon pipes, reducing the risk of accidents and operational disruptions, while withstanding pressure, temperature, and environmental stresses, allowing for timely maintenance and reducing false alerts through redundant sensor arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor for detecting fluid in the incompressible liquid may be an electrical sensor selected from a resistive sensor and a capacitive sensor
Implementation Method 2
the sensor may be a capacitive sensor having first and second electrodes separated by a material of permittivity that is low relative to the permittivities of the fluid and of the incompressible liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible joint for conveying a fluid in a fluid pipe in order to unite two pipes in leaktight and flexible manner comprises a tubular vessel having an upstream end for flexible and leaktight connection with an upstream tube, a downstream end for leaktight connection with a downstream tube, and a tubular bellows fastened in leaktight manner to the inside of the vessel, thereby defining two concentric spaces that are mutually separated in leaktight manner in normal operation. An inner space is provided in which the fluid flows between the upstream end and the downstream end. A peripheral space is situated between the inner space and a side wall of the vessel and is filled with an incompressible liquid. The joint further includes at least one sensor for detecting a hydrocarbon fluid in the incompressible liquid if the seal is broken between the inner space and the peripheral space.