Discussion on feasibility of pipeline laying in underground space from the perspective of improving sensing ability

Abstract

At present, the biggest safety risk and accident source of pipeline systems can be attributed to the lack of sensing ability of buried pipelines to a large extent. For this reason, a method of laying pipelines in underground space was put forward, so that the buried pipelines could be observed, monitored and accessed directly with the present detection, monitoring and sensing technologies. The sensing ability of critical pipeline sections can be enhanced fundamentally by the full range data acquisition and intelligent monitoring technology, and further the safety level of the pipelines can be improved greatly. By referring to the laying mode of municipal rainwater and sewage pipelines and urban utility tunnels, the underground space structure of semi-prefabricated reinforced concrete U-shaped pipe culvert with cover plate was proposed, where the pipelines are installed at the bottom of the pipe culvert with the support of metal bracket or concave cement pipe holder. Meanwhile, the intelligent video monitoring, optical fiber sensing, combustible gas sensing, external detection of pipeline defects or stress and other fixed or movable sensing means should be provided in the underground space. In addition, the risk factors of pipeline laying in underground space were analyzed preliminarily, and it was conservatively estimated that the overall risk could be reduced by more than 34%. Moreover, the economy of pipeline laying in underground space was also analyzed. It is expected that the construction cost of pipeline sections laying in underground space will be increased by about 7.5% to 25%, but the pipeline operation and maintenance cost, as well as the accident loss, will be reduced by more than 30%. Therefore, it is suggested that the relevant feasibility study and engineering tests should be performed in the pipeline idustry in future.(5 Figures, 22 References)

Keywords

• oil & gas pipelines
• sensing ability
• laying in underground space
• construction plan
• risk
• economic analysis