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Liquid Pipeline Leak Detection -Ongoing Research to Evaluate Selected External Leak Detection Technologies
Mark Stephens, C-FER TechnologiesPipeline Safety Trust Conference, New Orleans LA
October 20, 2016
12016 Pipeline Safety Trust Conference
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Rationale
• Conventional Computational Pipeline Monitoring (CPM) methods have very limited ability to detect small leaks– Small leaks if undetected can lead to significant spill volumes
• Interest in alternative External Leak Detection (ELD) methods– In conjunction with existing internal methods can provide system
redundancy and thereby enhance overall leak detection capability– Have potential to address blind spot associated with detection of
small leaks
• Many ELD technologies are new and capabilities are evolving– Performance capabilities have yet to be verified– Difficult to verify through field trials and/or pilot projects
• Actual pipeline leak events are rare• Realistic simulation of leak events problematic
• Deliverables– Independently verified data on system performance capabilities– Information to help vendors benchmark and improve their systems
• Research partners– Enbridge Pipelines, TransCanada Pipelines, Kinder Morgan Canada
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DAS and DTS
VST
HSC
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Experimental Design Considerations
• Simulate leaks under real world operating conditions– Realistic soil conditions and sensor placement configurations– Realistic temperature differentials between oil and soil– Realistic release events
• Representative driving pressures, hole sizes and flow rates• Range of release orientations (i.e. different clock positions)
• Facilitate unbiased evaluation of ELD technologies– Matching conditions for competing technologies– Provisions to ensure ‘blind testing’ from vendor perspective
• Ensure safe handling and disposal of hydrocarbons– Apparatus to accommodate full range of LVP hydrocarbon liquids– Near-term focus on diluted bitumen (dilbit)
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Test Apparatus
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Soil Containment Tank
Retractable Enclosure
Product Storage Vessel
Test Pipe with Release Ports
Spill Containment Berm
Pump Skid with Acoustic Enclosure and Base Isolation System
Catalytic Oxidizer
High Pressure Product Discharge Vessel
Product Filter and Circulation Piping, Discharge Piping,
Vessel Pressurization Systems, Control Valves, Pressure Regulators and Flow Meter Not Shown
External Leak Detection Experimental Research (ELDER) Apparatus
Soil placement considerations:• In lifts to maximize consistency• Lift compaction varied to simulate
undisturbed soil and consolidated backfill
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Sensor placement considerations:• Sensing mechanism and vendor
recommendations• Pipeline construction and cable
installation feasibility• Insight from previous tests
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Test Preparation
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Apparatus Ready for Testing
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Release parameters and timing of release events not known by vendors
Testing involves the staging of multiple release events over a one-week period
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Ground Based Leak Detection JIP - Directional Findings
• Leak detection capabilities varies between technology types and between vendors of a given technology typein terms of both detection threshold and time to detect
• Detection capability can be significantly influence by sensor placement location and release orientation
• Detection of small leaks (leak rates < 1% flow rate)is possible
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Airborne Leak DetectionJoint industry Project
• Program objective– Evaluate selected technologies conveyed on airborne platforms for detecting