Lined Pipeline Integrity Monitoring With Annular Sensor Cable
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively monitor the integrity of polymer-lined pipelines, particularly in subsea applications, as existing technologies cannot detect leaks or corrosion rates in real-time along the entire length of the pipeline simultaneously, and existing solutions are not applicable to internal linings or do not provide detailed information about the location of damage.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a sensor cable with multiple sensors placed between the polymer liner and the host pipe during the lining process, allowing for real-time monitoring of parameters such as seawater presence, temperature, gas, liquid, and pressure, with the sensor cable remaining in a continuous annulus to provide early warning of potential issues and maintain pipeline integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pigging techniques are used to monitor pipeline integrity, then corrosion rates and leaks can be detected, but the pipeline must be shut down and real-time monitoring along the entire length is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pigging systems with an electrical sensing system. A sensor cable with multiple sensors is positioned in the annulus between the polymer liner and host pipe, eliminating the need for physical pigs that require shutdowns. The system uses electrical signals to detect corrosion and leaks continuously without interrupting pipeline operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sensor cable as an intermediary element positioned in the annular space between the polymer liner and host pipe. This cable contains multiple sensors that detect corrosion products, leaks, and other integrity issues without requiring pipeline shutdown or physical contact with the flowing medium, enabling continuous monitoring.
2Measurement precision
If SLOFEC techniques are used to see through steel and polymer, then internal conditions can be detected, but pigging along very long lengths has not proven possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring function into multiple discrete sensors distributed along the sensor cable at specific intervals (e.g., every 10-100 meters). This segmentation allows the system to monitor very long pipeline lengths by distributing detection points throughout the annulus, overcoming the limitation of single-point or limited-length detection methods.
3Reliability
If a sensor cable is positioned in the annulus between liner and host pipe, then real-time monitoring of the entire pipeline length is enabled, but the lining process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the sensor cable installation into the liner deployment process itself. The cable is fed through the host pipe before the liner is expanded into place, so that when the liner is inflated, it automatically positions the sensor cable in the annulus. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for separate cable installation operations after lining.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two separate operations into one: the liner installation process and the sensor cable deployment. By feeding the cable through the pipe beforehand and using the liner expansion to simultaneously position both the liner and cable in their final positions, the system merges lining and sensor installation into a single integrated operation.
4Measurement precision
If external conductive coatings are used for damage detection, then visual changes and electrical signals can be detected, but this is only applicable to external coverings and cannot provide information regarding internal linings
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing sensors on the external surface of the pipeline (as in conventional coating monitoring), the patent inverts the approach by positioning sensors in the annular space between the internal polymer liner and the host pipe. This allows detection of internal liner conditions, corrosion products, and leaks from the inside out, rather than attempting to monitor external coverings.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrity monitoring system for a lined pipeline is provided for monitoring the integrity of a polymer liner in a host pipe. Methods and apparatus are described by which a lined pipeline is provided with such an integrity monitoring system. Sensor cable is able to bridge a joint between sections at lined pipe, for example by routing the sensor cable across the joint via a channel in an electrofusion fitting or by connecting successive lengths of sensor cable via pass-throughs in an electrofusion fitting. Advantageously, the sensor cable is disposed within a continuous annulus between linings and host pipes, and the continuous annulus is maintained across pipe joints using electrofusion fittings.