System and method for locating release of fluid from a pipeline

• US 5,708,193 A
• Filed: 08/12/1996
• Issued: 01/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caldon, Inc. (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Caldon, Inc. (SLB)
• Inventors: Botting, Robert J., Ledeen, Howard L., Hastings, Calvin R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WIGGINS, JOHN DAVID
• Application Number:
  US08/695,707
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 73/40, 73/592, 73/597, 73/598, 73/40.5 A
• US Class Current: 73/40
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/243 for pipes
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2807 for pipes G01M3/2892, G01M3/30 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2815 using pressure measurements

Abstract

The present invention is a system for locating release of fluid in a pipeline. The system comprises means or mechanism for detecting a pressure wave within the fluid indicative of a release of fluid from the pipeline, such as a leak or an unauthorized offtake. The system also comprises means or mechanism for determining the location of the fluid release by creating a test pressure wave within the fluid after the detected pressure wave. The fluid can be gas or oil but is not limited thereto in that the system will work with any fluid in a pipeline. Preferably, the location determining means or mechanism comprises a mechanism for creating a test pressure wave within the fluid in the pipeline and a mechanism for detecting a reflection of the test pressure wave. The reflection detecting mechanism and the original pressure wave sensing means or mechanism can both use a pressure transducer which is in communication with signal processing and control means or mechanism, such as a computer. Pressure signals from the pressure transducer are fed into the computer where they are processed and analyzed. The computer can include a video display for displaying the pressure signals and a keyboard for interacting with the computer. Digital filtering techniques permit sensitive detection with low false alarm rate. The present invention is also a system for mapping a pipeline. The system comprises a mechanism for creating a test pressure wave within a pipeline. The system also comprises a mechanism for detecting a reflection wave of the test pressure wave. The detecting mechanism can be a pressure transducer and signal processing means or mechanism which process the pressure signal over time.

Claims

1. A system for locating release of fluid in a pipeline comprising:

means or a mechanism for detecting a pressure wave within the fluid from the fluid itself indicative of a release of fluid from the pipeline; and

means or a mechanism for determining a location of the release of fluid in the event of a detected pressure wave by the detecting means or mechanism within the fluid from the fluid itself that is indicative of a fluid release by creating a test pressure wave within the fluid which reflects from the pressure wave source and is received.

2. A system as described in claim 1 wherein the determining means or mechanism comprises a mechanism for creating a test pressure wave within the fluid in the pipeline and a mechanism for detecting a reflection of the test pressure wave.

3. A system as described in claim 2 wherein the determining means or mechanism comprises control and processing means or mechanism, said control and processing means or mechanism calculating the location of the release of fluid based on time elapsed between initiation of the test pressure wave and detection of the reflection.

4. A system as described in claim 3 wherein the control and processing means or mechanism comprises means or mechanism for measuring speed of wave propagation in the fluid, said measuring means or mechanism disposed adjacent to the pipeline.

5. A system as described in claim 4 wherein the pressure detecting means or mechanism and the reflection detecting mechanism comprise a pressure transducer in fluidic communication with the pipeline.

6. A system as described in claim 5 wherein the test pressure wave creating mechanism comprises an accumulator for providing a pressurized charge of fluid to the pipeline, said accumulator having a valve and in fluidic communication with the pipeline, said valve in communication with the control and processing means or mechanism.

7. A system as described in claim 6 wherein the test pressure wave creating mechanism comprises means or mechanism for pressurizing the accumulator with fluid.

8. A system as described in claim 7 wherein the processing and control means or mechanism comprises a computer.

9. A system as described in claim 8 wherein the processing and control means or mechanism comprises a video monitor and keyboard.

16. A system as described in claim 5 wherein the test pressure wave creating mechanism comprises an accumulator for providing a charge of fluid to the pipeline, said accumulator having a valve and in fluidic communication with the pipeline, said valve in communication with the control and processing means or mechanism.

17. A system as described in claim 8 wherein the processing and control means or mechanism comprises a video monitor and keyboard.

10. A method for locating release of fluid in a pipeline comprising the steps of:

detecting a pressure wave in the fluid from the fluid itself indicative of a release of fluid from the pipeline;

creating a test pressure wave in the fluid so it propagates in the fluid to a location of the release of fluid; and

determining the location of the release of fluid based on time elapsed between initiation of the test pressure wave and reception of a reflection of the test pressure wave from the location of the release of fluid.

11. A method as described in claim 10 wherein before the detecting step, there is the step of obtaining a signature wave profile of the pipeline.

12. A method as described in claim 11 wherein before the determining step, there is the step of measuring speed of wave propagation in the fluid.

13. A method as described in claim 12 wherein the creating step includes the step of injecting a charge of pressurized fluid into the pipeline.

14. A system for mapping a pipeline comprising:

a mechanism for creating a test pressure wave within a pipeline, said creating mechanism disposed in fluidic communication with fluid in the pipeline; and

a mechanism for detecting reflections of the test pressure wave in the fluid in the pipeline, said detecting mechanism having signal processing means or mechanism for generating a wave signal corresponding to a mapping of the pipeline, said detecting mechanism disposed in fluidic communication with fluid in the pipeline.

15. A system as described in claim 14 wherein the pressure detecting means or mechanism and the reflection detecting mechanism comprise a pressure transducer in fluidic communication with the pipeline.