Solid Objects for Detecting Unauthorized Pipeline Offtake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preventing unauthorized withdrawal of hydrocarbon and water mixtures from pipelines are ineffective, particularly in inaccessible areas, as they require aggressive surveillance and are difficult to maintain, and existing remote monitoring systems fail to deter or effectively detect small-scale bunkering.
Innovation Solution
Introducing solid objects with specific weight, size, and density into the main conduit to detect and partially obstruct unauthorized offtake conduits, using manual or automatic systems, which can be made of polymeric or elastomeric materials that dissolve over time, and equipped with localization, tracking, or contamination modules to identify and hinder bunkering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aggressive surveillance and guarding are implemented to prevent illegal bunkering, then the security and monitoring of the conduit is improved, but the cost and complexity of the system increases and it remains difficult to maintain in inaccessible areas
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the monitoring function from external surveillance systems and places it directly within the fluid stream by introducing detectable solid objects that travel through the conduit. This internal extraction eliminates the need for complex external guarding systems while maintaining reliable detection of illegal withdrawal points.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid objects serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as flow followers to indicate legitimate flow, as detection markers when captured by illegal offtake conduits, and as potential obstructions to hinder bunkering. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate surveillance systems.
2Measurement precision
If remote monitoring systems with sensors are deployed to detect cuts and offtake conduits, then the detection capability is improved, but the system is vulnerable to sabotage, difficult to maintain continuously, and ineffective for small-scale bunkering
Solution Approach 1:
The solid objects act as intermediaries between the fluid flow and the detection system. Instead of using vulnerable electronic sensors that can be sabotaged, the invention uses physical objects that are inherently difficult to interfere with, which passively indicate the presence of illegal offtake conduits through their capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid objects can be made from inexpensive materials and replaced periodically. Their temporary nature and low cost eliminate the need for complex maintenance systems while ensuring continuous operation - if objects are depleted or contaminated, new batches can be introduced without system overhaul.
3Productivity
If the diameter of offtake conduits is increased to improve withdrawal efficiency, then the productivity of illegal bunkering is improved, but the detection and obstruction becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The solid objects provide a counterbalancing mechanism to larger offtake conduits. Even if the offtake conduit diameter increases to improve withdrawal efficiency, the captured solid objects still provide detectable evidence of the illegal connection. The objects' presence compensates for the reduced detectability associated with larger conduit sizes.
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 allows for simple, cost-effective detection and obstruction of unauthorized offtake conduits, reducing bunkering impacts without aggressive surveillance or environmental harm, and can be applied to existing pipelines without mechanical modifications.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of solid objects (30) is introduced into the main conduit (10)... having weight, size and density such as to be transportable towards the at least one outlet port (12) by the flow of the passing liquid
Implementation Method 2
made of polymeric or elastomeric materials that dissolve over time
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Method (100) for hindering the non-authorised withdrawal of a liquid from at least one offtake conduit (20) connected to a main conduit (10) for the transport of the aforementioned liquid, in particular a mixture of hydrocarbons and water, the main conduit (10) having an inlet port (11) and at least one outlet port (12) between which the liquid flows, the method (100) comprising the step of: introducing (101) a plurality of solid objects (30) into the main conduit (10) through the at least one inlet port (11), the plurality of introduced solid objects (30) having weight, dimensions and density such as to be transportable towards the at least one outlet port by the main flow of the liquid and such as to be able to be possibly captured by the offtake flow of the liquid directed towards the offtake conduit (20), and such as to be able to possibly at least partially obstruct such an offtake conduit 20.