A novel technique for leak detection and quantification using fiber bragg gratings

Abstract

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting leaks in fluid handling systems, including, but not limited to, wells, pipelines, and storage tanks for natural gas and petroleum products. In another aspect, the system includes one or more optical fiber sensors having fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) wherein a perturbation of the system causes a reflected wavelength shift. In the disclosed method, data collected from the FBG-containing sensors is detrended using a non-linear detrending algorithm after subtracting a synthetic baseline from raw data, thereby extracting and quantifying leak-based signatures. The disclosed system can detect micro-leaks and generates substantially no false positives.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.