SmartTouch autonomous robot to identify potential pipeline leaks

From 1964 through 2015, a total of 514 offshore pipeline–related oil spills were recorded, 20 of which incurred spill volumes of over 1,000 barrels, according to the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

The timely inspection of subsea infrastructure is key to preventing such disasters, but current inspection techniques often require a well-trained human diver and substantial time and money. The challenges are exacerbated if the inspection target is deep underwater.

The SmartTouch technology now in development at UH consists of Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) equipped with multiple stress wave-based smart touch sensors, video cameras and scanning sonars that can swim along a subsea pipeline to inspect flange bolts.

According to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), bolted connections have accelerated the rate of pipeline accidents that result in leakage.

The BSEE is funding the project with a $960,493 grant to UH researchers Zheng Chen, Bill D. Cook Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Gangbing Song, John and Rebecca Moores Professor of Mechanical Engineering, who are working in collaboration with Oceaneering International and Chevron.