Development of a new instrument for monitoring leakage of subsea pipelines

On October 27, the Daily Science Network reported that an instrument developed by a professor at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom could monitor the leakage of submarine gas pipelines.

This kind of instrument monitors the change of acoustic signal to monitor the leakage of natural gas pipelines on the seabed and the leakage of methane gas.

The instrument relies on a hydrophone system that can detect bubbles in the ocean. The instrument developer, Professor Rayton of Southampton University, called it the subsea sensor. Leighton said: "If you carefully listen to the sound produced by the bubbles, especially the specific amplitude and frequency of the sound of bubbles, you can predict the number and size of the bubbles produced. We have been paying attention to the process of gas leaking from the pipeline and entering the seawater. "This instrument monitors changes through the use of an underwater microphone and forms a unique, cost-effective monitoring system. The instrument's sensitivity is more than 100 times that of existing monitors. The existing monitors are mainly long-distance monitoring current monitors for submarine pipelines.

Leighton said that the new instrument can reduce the loss of millions of dollars for natural gas developers and transporters. Natural gas leakage poses a serious threat to nearby oil rigs and shipping. The new instrument will enable people to monitor the status of submarine pipelines from a distance and minimize the leakage of natural gas. This applies to both the petrochemical industry and methane gas released on the sea floor.

Leiden believes that the new instrument can reach 10,000 pounds. It is expected to be installed along the submarine pipeline. This instrument can monitor the movement of several square kilometers underwater. Once a gas leaks, it immediately sounds an alarm. The new instrument will enable remote monitoring while controlling the amount of gas leakage.