Methods for detecting leaks in pipelines
AssigneeLinde Aktiengesellschaft
InventorNaveed Aslam
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Abstract
A method for detecting leaks in pipelines, particularly those transporting natural gas is disclosed. Leak sensitive particles are added either as soluble particles or in a nitrogen atmosphere which will transmit signals to an appropriate sensor when a leak condition is detected. The sensors can be located along the length of the pipeline or in a pig that will be transported through the pipeline along with the leak sensitive particles.
Claims21
A method for detecting leaks in a pipeline comprising adding leak sensitive particles comprising a silica core surrounded by luminescent molecules wherein the luminescent molecules are selected from the group consisting of silver salts and Ru(bpy)3Cl2 and the leak sensitive particles will change signals when a leak is detected in the pipeline wherein the signal change is detected by an optical sensor and optical sensors are mounted on the pipeline at recurring intervals to the pipeline.
A method for detecting leaks in a pipeline comprising adding leak sensitive particles to the pipeline after a pig has been introduced into the pipeline, wherein the pig contains receivers and transmitters for receiving data from the leak sensitive particles and transmitting the data to a control center, wherein the receivers are selected from the group of sensors consisting of monitoring corrosion, release of corrosion inhibitor, pipeline imaging, data transmission and micro-motion, and the leak sensitive particles comprise a silica core surrounded by luminescent molecules wherein the luminescent molecules are selected from the group consisting of silver salts and Ru(bpy)3Cl2.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.