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 natural gas automatic shutoff system can analyze the flow rate of natural gas through a pipe. When an anomaly is detected, the device can prevent further flow of natural gas through the pipe and can automatically notify the homeowner or authorized monitor, such as through a cell phone application or other device. Additionally, the homeowner or authorized monitor can manually control and/or monitor the flow of gas through the pipe in real-time, such as through a cell phone application or other device. At least one exemplary embodiment uses a motorized ball valve to control the flow of gas, a flow meter to measure the rate of natural gas flow through the pipe, and a microcomputer to analyze the flow and send notifications to the homeowner or authorized monitor.

A method is provided for detecting obstructions in a gas network with sensors, which determine the physical parameters of the gas. The gas network includes controllable throttle valves and with state sensors, which can register the status of throttle valves. The method includes: a training phase in which a mathematical model is established between the measurements of sensors in which one or a plurality of adjustable throttle valves are controlled to generate obstructions; and an operational phase in which the mathematical model established between the measurements of the first and second groups are used to detect obstructions in the gas network. The operational phase includes: calculating the reading of the first and second groups of sensors using the mathematical model; determining the difference between the calculated and read values; and determining the existence of an obstruction on the basis of the aforementioned difference.

A method is provided for the simultaneous detection, localization, and quantification of leaks and obstructions in a gas network under pressure or vacuum. The gas network includes: one or more sources of compressed gas or vacuum; one or more consumers or consumer areas of compressed gas or vacuum applications; pipelines or a network of pipelines to transport the compressed gas or vacuum from the sources to the consumers, consumer areas or applications; a plurality of sensors providing one or more physical parameters of the gas at different times and locations within the gas network. The gas network is further provided with controllable or adjustable relief valves, controllable or adjustable throttle valves and possibly one or a plurality of sensors capable of monitoring the status or state of the relief valves and/or throttle valves.

A method of determining a flow rate of a gas leak in a pressurized gas system includes applying a liquid soap solution to a region of a component, and capturing, via a camera of a portable electronic device, a plurality of sequential images of bubbles formed in the region by an interaction between the liquid soap solution and a gas leak from the component. The plurality of images are analyzed by a first algorithm executed by a processor to determine a total area of the bubbles in the region produced by the leak. A flow rate of the gas leak is then determined via a second algorithm executed by the processor based on the total area of bubbles in the region, a size of the component, and a pressure of the gas.

A method includes providing a length of pipeline that has a housing defining a central bore extending the length of the pipe and a space formed within the housing and extending the length of the pipe. At least one condition within the space is continuously monitored within the space to detect in real time if a change in the housing occurs.

A gas supply line control system and method for preventing flow reversal due to an upstream pressure drop in a natural gas supply line, the system and method include setting a threshold low pressure for the upstream gas flow, continually sensing the upstream pressure, activating a trigger valve when the upstream pressure falls below the threshold low pressure, and closing a control valve in response to the trigger valve to prevent reversal of flow in the gas supply line.

Materials, methods of making, and methods of sensing liquid droplets with high spatial resolution as a signature of the on-set of corrosion using a hierarchical sensor network A hierarchical sensor network for sensing liquid droplets with high spatial resolution as a signature of the on-set of corrosion, including an interrogation system; and an intermediate sensor array layer in communication with the interrogation system. The network includes an interrogation system and an intermediate sensor array layer in communication with the interrogation system.

A natural gas automatic shutoff system can analyze the flow rate of natural gas through a pipe. When an anomaly is detected, the device can prevent further flow of natural gas through the pipe and can automatically notify the homeowner or authorized monitor, such as through a cell phone application or other device. Additionally, the homeowner or authorized monitor can manually control and/or monitor the flow of gas through the pipe in real-time, such as through a cell phone application or other device. At least one exemplary embodiment uses a motorized ball valve to control the flow of gas, a flow meter to measure the rate of natural gas flow through the pipe, and a microcomputer to analyze the flow and send notifications to the homeowner or authorized monitor.