Fluid spill containment, location, and real time notification device with acoustic based sensor

• US 20140305517A1
• Filed: 04/11/2013
• Published: 10/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harold Russell Baird, Jeffrey Scott Adler
• Original Assignee: Harold Russell Baird, Jeffrey Scott Adler
• Inventors: ADLER, Jeffrey Scott, BAIRD, Harold Russell
• Granted Patent: US 9,010,356 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/312
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/30 Detecting leaks
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/07 Arrangement or mounting of devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating or draining apparatus for draining F16T
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 7/02 and sealing the pipes or cables inside the other pipes, cables or sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/06 using electric or acoustic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/00 Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/243 for pipes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5762 With leakage or drip collecting

Abstract

Described herein is an autonomous fluid spill containment device for a pipeline having a carrier conduit for transporting a fluid and a containment conduit located around the carrier conduit to define an interstitial space for receiving fluid spilled from the carrier conduit. The device includes a spilled fluid barrier for stopping spilled fluid flow, which is located in the interstitial space and extends between the carrier conduit and the containment conduit. An acoustic sensor is located in the interstitial space for detecting spilled fluid flowing in the containment conduit, or in the carrier conduit for detecting fluid flow reduction.

Claims

1. An autonomous fluid spill containment device for a pipeline having a carrier conduit for transporting a fluid and a containment conduit located around the carrier conduit to define an interstitial space for receiving fluid spilled from the carrier conduit, the device comprising:

a spilled fluid barrier for stopping spilled fluid flow, the fluid barrier being located in the interstitial space and extending between the carrier conduit and the containment conduit; and

an acoustic sensor located in the interstitial space for detecting spilled fluid flowing in the containment conduit, or in the carrier conduit for detecting fluid flow reduction.

2. The device, according to claim 1, further includes a network monitor that interfaces for communicating with an operator'"'"'s data collection, analysis and reporting systems.

3. The device, according to claim 2, in which a sensor network is connected to the acoustic sensor for communicating acoustic sensor and location data from the sensor to the network monitor so as to alert the operator to the location of the spilled fluid in real time.

4. The device, according to claim 3, in which a sensor station is mounted interior of the containment conduit, the sensor station being in communication with the acoustic sensor, the sensor station including a sensor station network interconnecting the controller to the sensor network.

5. The device, according to claim 1, in which the acoustic sensor is located at a lower portion of the containment conduit.

6. The device, according to claim 1, in which the acoustic sensor is mounted on the spilled fluid barrier.

7. The device, according to claim 1, in which the acoustic sensor is mounted in the carrier conduit.

8. The device, according to claim 1, in which a sensor station is mounted exterior of the containment conduit, the sensor station being in communication with the acoustic sensor.

9. The device, according to claim 8, in which the sensor station includes:

a) a housing;

b) a purge member located in the housing and in fluid communication with the interstitial space and the acoustic sensor; and

c) a sensor station network including a controller located in the housing, the controller being in communication with a purge member pressure sensor, a local status indicator for further facilitating accurate location of a spill/seepage, and the acoustic sensor.

10. The device, according to claim 9, in which the sensor station further includes a plurality of sensors interconnecting the controller and the sensor network.

11. The device, according to claim 10, in which the sensors include a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a fluid sensor, a position sensor, and a hydrocarbon sensor, one or more of the sensors may be implemented and activatable.

12. The device, according to claim 9, in which the sensor station further includes a network power bus, a data bus in communication with one or more sensors, and a repeater.

13. The device, according to claim 2, in which the network monitor is interconnected with the sensor station network and includes a network modem, a network interface and a display/control, the network being autonomously operable using solar power, battery and charger or alternate power.

14. The device, according to claim 13, in which the network monitor is in communication with an operator land and wireless networks, and are capable of communicating with an auto emergency shutdown.

15. The device, according to claim 1, includes a spill return door assembly located upstream from the spilled fluid barrier, the spill return door assembly, when implemented, includes a spill return door resiliently connected to the carrier conduit and is urged against an interior portion of the carrier conduit adjacent a spill opening.

16. The device, according to claim 15, in which the spill door assembly includes a mounting column and a door spring connected to the spill return door, the door spring being located in the housing exterior of the containment conduit, or the door spring is located in the containment conduit.

17. The device, according to claim 15, in which the spill door assembly includes a spill door position sensor.

18. The device, according to claim 7, in which the sensor station further includes a network power and data bus interconnected to one or more sensors wherein the acoustic sensor is implemented and in communication with an external sensor station providing autonomous or alternate power.

19. The device, according to claim 2, in which the network monitor is interconnected with the sensor station network and includes a network modem, a network interface and a display/control.

20. The device, according to claim 2, in which the network monitor is in communication with operator land and wireless networks, the operator land and wireless networks being capable of communicating with an auto emergency shutdown.

21. The device, according to claim 1, is for a pipeline that is located above ground, ice or water, or underground or in ice or in water.

22. The device, according to claim 1, in which the fluid includes gas, chemicals (synthetic, organic, inorganic and natural fluids including food liquids), liquefied natural gas, liquefied gas including propane and butane, crude oil, water, petroleum, light oil, or tar sands oil.

23. The device, according to claim 1, includes an Light Emitting Diode (LED).local status indicator.