The pipeline protection system includes a plurality of modules and a central control unit. The modules are adapted to be disposed circumferentially around the pipeline and capable of communicating to each other and with the central control unit to generate a plurality of real time data related to the pipeline. The modules are retrofittable configuration that includes sub-modules. Each sub-module includes top and bottom protective casings, and at least one flexible composite layer disposed between the top and bottom protective casings. The flexible composite layer includes an electronic circuitry embedded thereon, and a plurality of sensors coupled to the electronic circuitry to monitor a plurality of parameters associated with the pipeline. The plurality of sensors is configured to generate various real time data, such as pipeline leakage, predict future leakage or failure, and detect any attempt to theft or tempering in the pipeline.

The pipeline protection system includes a plurality of modules and a central control unit. The modules are adapted to be disposed circumferentially around the pipeline and capable of communicating to each other and with the central control unit to generate a plurality of real time data related to the pipeline. The modules are retrofittable configuration that includes sub-modules. Each sub-module includes top and bottom protective casings, and at least one flexible composite layer disposed between the top and bottom protective casings. The flexible composite layer includes an electronic circuitry embedded thereon, and a plurality of sensors coupled to the electronic circuitry to monitor a plurality of parameters associated with the pipeline. The plurality of sensors is configured to generate various real time data, such as pipeline leakage, predict future leakage or failure, and detect any attempt to theft or tempering in the pipeline.

Pipeline segments can contain cables, such as communication cables (e.g., fiber optic cables) within insulation material surrounding the pipeline segments. Cables can be embedded within the insulation material, run through conduits embedded within the insulation material, placed in channels formed in the insulation material, or otherwise. Channels containing one or more cables can be filled with supplemental insulation material, thus securing the cables within the channels. Pipelines created as disclosed herein can enable data transfer between distant points without the need to lay fiber optic cable in addition to the pipeline. Further, fiber optic cable embedded thusly can be used to sense conditions in the pipeline, such as leaks, seismic activity, strain, and temperature information.

Pipeline segments can contain cables, such as communication cables (e.g., fiber optic cables) within insulation material surrounding the pipeline segments. Cables can be embedded within the insulation material, run through conduits embedded within the insulation material, placed in channels formed in the insulation material, or otherwise. Channels containing one or more cables can be filled with supplemental insulation material, thus securing the cables within the channels. Pipelines created as disclosed herein can enable data transfer between distant points without the need to lay fiber optic cable in addition to the pipeline. Further, fiber optic cable embedded thusly can be used to sense conditions in the pipeline, such as leaks, seismic activity, strain, and temperature information.

The present application discloses a device and method for detecting and ablating hydrates in a natural gas pipeline. The device includes a transmission mechanism, a detection mechanism and an ablation mechanism. The detection mechanism and the ablation mechanism are both connected to the transmission mechanism through an elastic connector, such that the device can smoothly pass through bends in the natural gas pipeline. The transmission mechanism includes a universal wheel component, which forms static friction with an outer wall of an inner natural gas pipeline, such that the device can move along the inner natural gas pipeline. The detection mechanism detects the temperature of the natural gas pipeline and determines whether hydrates are generated in the natural gas pipeline to block the pipeline, and then the blockage is heated by the ablation mechanism to ablate the hydrates.

A petroleum pipeline safety system for preventing contamination of an environmentally sensitive area close to a pipeline includes an upstream portion of the pipeline supplying a flow of fluid material, a crossing portion of the pipeline receiving the flow of fluid material from the upstream portion and conveying the flow of fluid material through the environmentally sensitive area to a downstream portion of the pipeline, the downstream portion, a pipeline pressure activated valve selectively capable of blocking the flow of fluid material from entering the crossing portion based upon a change in pressure within the crossing portion, and a fluid capacitor connected to the upstream portion configured to filter out a pressure spike in the upstream portion associated with the valve blocking the flow of fluid material.

A petroleum pipeline safety system for preventing contamination of an environmentally sensitive area close to a pipeline includes an upstream portion of the pipeline supplying a flow of fluid material, a crossing portion of the pipeline receiving the flow of fluid material from the upstream portion and conveying the flow of fluid material through the environmentally sensitive area to a downstream portion of the pipeline, the downstream portion, a pipeline pressure activated valve selectively capable of blocking the flow of fluid material from entering the crossing portion based upon a change in pressure within the crossing portion, and a fluid capacitor connected to the upstream portion configured to filter out a pressure spike in the upstream portion associated with the valve blocking the flow of fluid material.

A method is provided for non-intrusively determining cross-sectional variation of a fluidic channel. The method includes creating a pressure pulse in a fluidic channel using a hammer to strike an external surface of a fluidic channel. The method also includes sensing, by one or more sensors, reflections of the pressure pulse; and obtaining, from the one or more sensors, a measured pressure profile based on the sensed reflections of the pressure pulse. A forward model of cross-sectional variation of the fluidic channel is generated based on a baseline simulation. Using the forward model, a simulated pressure profile is generated. Using the measured pressure profile and the simulated pressure profile, an error is determined. When the error is outside a predetermined threshold, the forward model is updated based on the error. An estimate of cross-sectional variation of the fluidic channel based on the forward model is displayed.

A mass flow controller includes at least one conduit having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the conduit defining a flow path along which the fluid flows. The mass flow controller also includes a modified inlet block having an inlet aperture, an inlet channel, and a reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet channel and the conduit that enhances flow through the controller and improves rate-of-decay measurements. The mass flow controller includes at least one flow sensor that generates a flow sensor signal that is proportional to the mass flow rate of the fluid through the conduit. The mass flow controller includes a control subsystem coupled to a flow sensor and a valve assembly to control flow through the conduit.

A mass flow controller includes at least one conduit having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the conduit defining a flow path along which the fluid flows. The mass flow controller also includes a modified inlet block having an inlet aperture, an inlet channel, and a reservoir fluidly coupled to the inlet channel and the conduit that enhances flow through the controller and improves rate-of-decay measurements. The mass flow controller includes at least one flow sensor that generates a flow sensor signal that is proportional to the mass flow rate of the fluid through the conduit. The mass flow controller includes a control subsystem coupled to a flow sensor and a valve assembly to control flow through the conduit.