Automated Hydrocarbon Leak Detection Critical To Safety & Profitability

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds containing carbon and hydrogen that are continuously converted, processed and catalyzed using various volatile solvents and chemicals such as chlorides, heptane, benzene, argon and others into gaseous and liquid products used by industry and consumers.

All across the world countries, cities and localities, including pristine areas like Alaska, run into trouble when hydrocarbons and their byproducts leak into groundwater and otherwise negatively affect the environment. The same problem exists in the world’s lakes and oceans where leaks can be catastrophic to marine life and ecosystems.

The Need For A Comprehensive Solution

With hundreds of thousands of miles of piping delivering hydrocarbon-based products globally, essentially the backbone of modern industrial society, companies are turning to a variety of PLC based automated leak detection solutions that leverage sonar (ultrasound), ground penetrating radar, photonics (lasers), imaging technologies and more.

The main challenge is to build smart systems capable of proactively monitoring pipeline networks. An early warning system that continuously analyzes the flow and bandwidth in pipelines can help coordinate the collaboration of people and services more quickly and effectively when needed. The system can also help determine the best course of action for solving a problem.

Companies that produce and handle hydrocarbons and their byproducts are now able to seamlessly integrate process control systems to detect leaks, relay pictures and alarms via emails and text messages to appropriate parties and to the main SCADA console control center. Process data, flow rates, pressure, temperature, etc. are easily accessible along with video images so decisions can be made quickly and effectively.

These systems run on a series of smart sensors, an integrated ethernet network of computers, real time data processing, feedback loops, and wireless connections, limiting damage, decreasing outage and in the end improving efficiency and profitability.

The incidence of factory shutdowns due to false leak alarms is also reduced while the safety of the surrounding population and environment as well as pipeline assets is improved.

Tags: hydrocarbon leak detection

This entry was posted on May 30th, 2014 and is filed under Automation, Technology. Both comments and pings are currently closed.