Pipeline Deposit Thickness Estimation Using External Temperature Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies struggle to accurately estimate the thickness of deposits such as hydrate, wax, or scale inside pipelines due to inaccuracies in measuring fluid temperatures, leading to ineffective implementation of inhibitors or pigs for deposit management.
Innovation Solution
An estimation device that uses temperature sensors installed on the outer surface of pipelines and insulation agents to calculate thermal resistance based on temperature data from different positions, allowing for precise estimation of deposit thickness without measuring fluid temperature inside the pipeline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluid temperature inside the pipe is measured directly, then temperature accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the measurement system increases and invasive procedures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the pipe wall and insulation layer as intermediary elements to transfer thermal information from the fluid to external sensors. Instead of directly measuring fluid temperature, the system measures the temperature distribution through the pipe wall and insulation, using these intermediate temperature fields to infer deposit thickness indirectly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical/invasive temperature measurement inside the pipe with non-invasive external temperature sensing. By substituting internal probes with external infrared or contact temperature sensors on the pipe surface, the system achieves measurement without physical intrusion into the fluid stream.
2Ease of manufacture
If experiential or flow simulator values are used for fluid temperature, then measurement cost is reduced, but temperature accuracy deteriorates significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple temperature sensors at different positions (inside and outside the insulation layer) to continuously monitor temperature distribution. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect temperature gradients caused by deposits and adjust or refine temperature estimates based on actual measured data rather than relying solely on experiential values or simulator predictions.
3Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are installed inside the pipe to measure fluid temperature, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional measurement approach by placing sensors outside the pipe rather than inside. Instead of inserting sensors into the fluid stream where they would require complex installation and maintenance, the system attaches sensors to the external pipe surface and insulation layer, making installation straightforward and maintenance accessible without shutting down the pipeline or entering confined spaces.
4Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are installed at different positions outside the pipe, then deposit thickness estimation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into segmented sensor positions: sensors inside the insulation layer and sensors outside the insulation layer at corresponding positions. This segmentation allows the system to measure temperature gradients across the insulation thickness, providing sufficient data to calculate thermal resistance and estimate deposit thickness without requiring a dense array of sensors throughout the entire structure.
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 accurate, non-invasive, and cost-effective estimation of deposit thickness, facilitating optimal deployment of inhibitors or pigs for pipeline maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
calculate thermal resistance of a deposit formed on inner surface of the pipe based on at least one set of the first-type temperature data and at least one set of the second-type temperature data
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An estimation device (10) includes a first obtaining unit (15a) configured to: obtain first-type temperature data for a position corresponding to an outside of a first-type position of a pipe in which a fluid flows; a second obtaining unit (15b) configured to obtain second-type temperature data for a position corresponding to an outside of a second-type position of the pipe at which condition related to heat transfer is different than condition at the first-type position; and an estimating unit (15c) configured to, based on the first-type temperature data and the second-type temperature data, calculate thermal resistance of a deposit formed on an inner surface of the pipe, and estimate a thickness of the deposit.