Novel Approach to Identify and Localize Chemical Leakages in Pipelines

Abstract

This study investigates a novel approach for identifying and localizing chemical leakages utilizing mesh-based electronic instruments and surface coating techniques. The proposed leak detection system includes one or more layers of flexible mesh electrodes formed by discrete conductive/nonconductive filaments. It is wrapped on top of the 3D structure needing to be monitored and coated with nano-composite based sensing material. The hydrocarbon sensing is performed by the chemiresistive properties of the sensing material coated on top of the filaments. During the monitoring, whenever the structure experiences changes in the hydrocarbon concentration level to which it is exposed, the sensing material will capture the changes and convert them to resistive changes. The conductive filaments in the mesh will then transmit the electrical signals gathered from the coating to the onsite electronic system. This electronic system is able to perform early stage data processing such as scanning, driving, calibrating and remote communication.