Leak Detection – The necessety for pinhole leak detection – ways and means to a professional approach
Proceedings Publication Date
Presenter
Rene Landstorfer
Presenter
Author
Rene Landstorfer
Part of the proceedings of
Abstract
Pinhole leaks in pipelines can be a big problem for operators. Especially because they cannot be detected with conventional methods like SCADA or other online systems. These pinhole leaks can lead to spills that possibly will not be detected over a long time, because too many operators underestimate the risks of these spills and necessities of leak detection for leaks with a spill rate down to a few liters per hour. Conventional methods will detect leaks of several hundred liters per hour in best case and also complex wall thickness inspections with US or MFL tools cannot find every defect that may cause a leak at some day. For example defects that have a size too small to be detected with these devices can grow and lead to a small leak from which nobody knows and which cannot be expected. This leak can then spill over weeks or months and will not be recognized with the conventional leak detection systems. Gottsberg leak detection, a developer and manufacturer of one of the world’s leading products in the field of leak detection for smallest leaks has again improved the safety for pipelines. The already pioneering technology was optimized for any disturbance events to be eliminated. For example, new filtering algorithms have been developed which are better adjusted together with the next-generation amplifier for the new, even more sensitive, hydrophones. This is mainly used for better noise detection of relevant processes within the line and for clear recognition and evaluation of noise after the run. In addition, a new generation of significantly improved pig detectors has been developed that work reliably and simultaneously improve safety. The presentation will give an overview about available technologies for leak detection and focus on the technical improvements of the new pig generation, also the technology of the pig signaler will be explained with a focus on unique developments.

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