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Session: Session 6. Pipeline Integrity Management and Risk Assessment
Paper Number: 119242
119242 - Pipipeline Strain Monitoring in Hazardous Classified Areas
Strain gauges provide valuable data on pipeline conditions during periods of increased stress. Implementing continuous strain gauge monitoring eliminates uncertainty about the impact of stress on pipelines. Near real time strain data helps pipeline operators minimize operational disruptions during strain inducing events. Traditionally, strain gauge monitoring was limited to non hazardous areas, leading to costly decisions for preserving asset integrity in hazardous locations. However, emerging technology utilizes wireless, solar recharged battery powered HazLoc Nodes to enable monitoring within hazardous boundaries. Through low power sensor board design and low gauge excitation voltage, intrinsic safety certification is achieved for continuous monitoring of asset integrity. This paper discusses strain gauge set location selection methods and presents a case study on strain monitoring in an active HazLoc piping facility during differential subsidence as a result of partial impact from a longwall coal mine. The case study will analyze changes in strain on the asset. It will show how strain increases followed the progress of the longwall and were partially relieved after subsidence was complete. The analysis includes wireless data transmission reliability, battery power performance, and other factors affecting system uptime. Additionally, this paper will show how strain relief techniques were leveraged to protect asset integrity.
