Vibroacoustic technology has been increasingly utilized worldwide for real-time monitoring of pipelines to detect leaks, Third-Party Interference (TPI), and pig tracking. This paper presents a case study on the temporary deployment of Vibroacoustic Technology (VT) on multi-batch refined products pipeline, separated by trains of separation spheres.

Waves generated by various interactions within the pipeline propagate both upstream and downstream. These vibroacoustic waves, a combination of sound, micro-vibration, and pressure fluctuations, are detected by specialized sensor blocks installed along the pipeline. The captured data is transmitted in real-time to a server, where software modules analyze it to identify and characterize anomalies. The unique signatures of the detected vibroacoustic waves enable the recognition leaks and TPI, as well as the movement of separation spheres, facilitating batch interface tracking and leak detection.

Sensor blocks were installed along a 50 km section of the pipeline, with power supplied through direct electrical connections, except at one valve station, which was battery-powered. Data transmission to the servers was achieved via 5G, ensuring reliable communication even as the pipeline traversed an urban area. After a brief system calibration period of a few days, a comprehensive test campaign was conducted to simulate leaks of different sizes.

The deployment provided examples of sphere passages, demonstrating the system’s capability to remain active regardless of different pipeline batches, maintaining detection sensitivity and localization accuracy. The continuous monitoring of the batch interface, achieved with the same data collected for leak detection, underscores the versatility of VT.

This case study highlights the versatility and effectiveness of vibroacoustic systems in providing continuous leak detection and localization, capable of detecting 0.2-inch diameter leaks with less than 1% error in pipeline length, while also tracking interfaces in pipelines with sphere-separated batches, bringing enhanced operational efficiency.