Passive Sealing Elements for Pipeline Leak Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for locating leaks in fluid-carrying pipelines, especially in harsh environments like offshore pipelines, face challenges such as difficulty in data transmission, capsule retrieval, and high costs due to complex engineering requirements, making it hard to accurately determine leak locations and sizes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the introduction of sealing elements upstream of the leak, which travel to the leak based on pressure gradients, causing a pressure change detectable by transducers, allowing for calculation of leak location and size using time data and flow rate measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional active scanning devices are deployed in the pipeline to locate leaks, then leak detection capability is improved, but pipeline shutdown is required and operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak detection capabilityVSAvoidpipeline operation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the pipeline's own flowing fluid to transport passive sealing elements that automatically locate and seal leaks without requiring active scanning devices or pipeline shutdown. The flowing fluid itself becomes the detection medium, eliminating the need for separate detection equipment and maintaining continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces active mechanical scanning devices with passive sealing elements that are carried by the fluid flow. Instead of using powered detection equipment that requires installation and maintenance, the system uses simple passive elements that are transported naturally by the flowing fluid to the leak location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If passive capsules with sensors are deployed to locate leaks, then operational continuity is maintained, but data transmission difficulty and retrieval complexity increase in narrow bore pipelines

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipeline operation continuityVSAvoidcapsule retrieval and data transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the detection function from complex electronic capsules and transfers it to simple passive sealing elements. By removing sensors and electronic components from the traveling element, the system eliminates data transmission and retrieval complexities while maintaining the ability to locate leaks through pressure gradient detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses inexpensive passive sealing elements that can be easily introduced into the flow and discarded after use, rather than expensive reusable capsules with sensors that require complex retrieval and data extraction procedures. The sealing elements serve their purpose and are replaced rather than retrieved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If sealing elements are introduced to seal leaks, then leak sealing capability is improved, but accurate leak location determination becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak sealing capabilityVSAvoidleak location accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces multiple sealing elements upstream of the leak location before the leak occurs. These elements are carried by the fluid flow to the leak site where they accumulate and seal the leak. The preliminary introduction of sealing elements ensures that when a leak occurs, the elements are already in position to seal it effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses pressure sensors to monitor pressure changes in the pipeline and provides feedback about the sealing process. By measuring pressure differentials and changes as sealing elements approach and seal the leak, the system can accurately determine leak location while simultaneously sealing it, resolving the contradiction between sealing capability and location accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This method enables accurate and cost-effective remote detection of leak locations and sizes in pipelines, reducing operational downtime and maintenance costs by simplifying equipment requirements and improving accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

travel to the leak following the natural flow of the fluid and the pressure gradients that occur in the pipeline fluid as a result of the leak

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

Detecting a pressure change due to the sealing event

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure change detection:

Data Source

PatentUS7856864B2Deriving information about leaks in pipes

Publication Date: 2010.12.28 SEAL TITE

AI summary

A method and system for deriving fluid leak information are described. A plurality of sealing elements are introduced into the pipeline at a location upstream of the leak, and at least some of the sealing elements are drawn towards the leak to cause a sealing event which reduces fluid seepage. A pressure change caused by the sealing event is detected, and associated time data is used to derive information about the leak. In one embodiment, leak location information is derived. In an alternative embodiment, pressure transient information is used to derive leak size information.