Известия Томского политехнического университета: Инжиниринг георесурсов (Jun 2022)
USE OF THE SYSTEM OF INFRASOUND MONITORING FOR TRACKING PIPELINE CLEANING GAUGE ON THE MAIN GAS PIPELINE
Abstract
The relevance of the research is caused by the need of on-line tracking of pipeline inspection and cleaning gauges in time of pigging procedures of pipelines for transportation of hydrocarbons. In this process, the maximum possible accuracy in determining the speed and location of pipeline inspection and cleaning gauge is required. Despite on the presence of numerous systems for solving this problem, the development of equipment for accurately determination of the speed and linear coordinates of moving and stopping of pipeline inspection and cleaning gauge, remains an urgent problem. The main aim of the research is to investigate the effectiveness of the system for infrasound monitoring of gas pipelines for tracking of travelling pipeline inspection and cleaning gauge and for its location in the case of stuck in the pipeline. Objects: linear part of main gas pipelines and pipeline inspection and cleaning gauge. Methods: infrasound monitoring of the main gas pipeline for tracking of travelling pipeline inspection and cleaning gauge with the aid of network of distributed sensors; the sensors were installed in the immediate vicinity from the pipe; receiving and processing of infrasonic signals arising from the contacts of the pipeline inspection and cleaning gauge with inner surface of the pipe; on-line monitoring of the current position of the pipeline inspection and cleaning gauge. Results. It was demonstrated that the system of infrasound monitoring of gas pipelines allows implementing tracking of travelling pipeline inspection and cleaning gauge and to locate it in the case of stuck in the pipeline. The system automatically determines the location and speed during the movement of the pipeline inspection and cleaning gauge in real time. The sensitivity of the sensors of the system allows them to be installed at a distance of up to 40 km from each other for positioning pipeline inspection and cleaning gauge with required accuracy. The deviation of the travelling pipeline inspection and cleaning gauge coordinate, which was determined by the system, was less than 46 m from the actual coordinate. When the pipeline inspection and cleaning gauge is stopped, the infrasound monitoring system allows determining its position with a deviation of less than 7 m from the actual coordinate. It is also experimentally confirmed that the infrasonic signal attenuates faster when propagating in the direction of the gas flow.
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