 |
| Purchase Information |
| Use this form to request purchase information on API online subscriptions. |
|
|
Document API PUBL 346 is offered by IHS as part of an online subscription. This subscription contains many documents on the same topic.
You may also purchase this document alone from the IHS Standards Store.
API PUBL 346 Document Information:
Title
Results of Range-Finding Testing of Leak Detection and Leak Location Technologies for Underground Pipelines
American Petroleum Institute
Publication Date:
Nov 1, 1998
Scope:
SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES
The project objectives were to:
• identify different technologies available for leak detection and
location for the selected type of pipelines,
• identify vendors of each technology,
• select vendors for testing,
• conduct range-finding tests of the technologies, and
• assess potential impacts on operations.
The scope of the project was limited to range-finding tests; testing
was not intended to provide a complete evaluation of any specific
system. Rather, the objective was to identify technologies and obtain
information on the performance of each technology, together with the
field considerations or limitations for applying each.
GENERAL PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The project identified the different technologies available for leak
detection and leak location for underground pipelines of the sort used
at refineries, fuel terminals, airports, and transportation facilities.
Four different technologies were identified and representative vendors
of each were reviewed. Based on that review, a vendor of each
technology was selected and invited to participate in field trials. The
purpose of the field tests was to provide information on the state of
the technology in terms of its suitability for use in the field and to
provide and estimate each technology's sensitivity and accuracy in
application.
SCOPE OF THE TESTING
The scope of the testing of each technology was designed to observe the
operation of the technology and provide an approximate estimate of its
performance. To this end, several features of each technology were
documented as part of the testing:
• The amount of and types of equipment employed
• The time for setup and calibration (if necessary)
• The site support and preparation required
• General operational considerations
• Impact on operations
• Test procedures
• Test duration
• Test results for tight lines and for simulated leaks
• Leak location results (when applicable)
Testing was conducted with different lengths of lines and with
different simulated leak rates. Testing was conducted at an operating
site, which included one line with a suspected leak and another line
with a known substantial leak as well as two lines of different sizes
that were supposed to be tight. Thus, the tests included both real
leaks and simulated leaks and different length of lines, providing
different volumes of product in the lines.
The vendors were provided with a description of the facility, including
a sketch of the configuration of the lines. The approximate length of
each identified segment was provided as well as the diameter and, when
applicable, the number of hydrants. The vendors were told that the
lines would be taken out of service and isolated from the rest of the
system by blind flanges so that there would be no question about
possible leakage past valves into other sections of the pipeline. MRI
told the vendors that they were being asked to test each section of
line as a commercial test and report the results. Vendors were told
that all work performed would be considered their typical commercial
protocol. If the vendors identified a leak in the lines as they found
them, and had the capability of locating the leak, they would be asked
to locate the leak.
MRI also told the vendors that they would be asked to test each line
multiple times. MRI would simulate a number of leaks of various sizes
during some of the testing and would ask the vendors to conduct a
number of tests under both tight and simulated
leak conditions. The simulated leak rates would be kept blind to the
vendors.
About IHS
IHS (NYSE: IHS) is a leading global provider of critical technical information, decision-support tools and related services in a number of industries including aerospace and defense, automotive, construction, electronics, and energy. IHS serves customers ranging from large governments and multinational corporations to smaller companies and technical professionals in more than 100 countries. IHS been in business for more than 45 years and employ more than 2,300 people around the world.
