Ultrasonic sensors identify diversions in gas pipelines

Much research has been carried out into diagnosis methods for steel pipes such as radiography, ultrasonic testing, visual inspection and ground penetrating radar, Master of Applied Science student Abdullah Zayat said little has been done on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipework that carries natural gas to homes.

“Early detection of structural degradation is essential to maintaining safety and integrity. And it lowers the risk of catastrophic failure,” Zayat said in a statement.

Zayat and his supervisor Dr. Anas Chaaban, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan, tested a technique that allows for the inspection of HDPE pipes with ultrasonic sensors.

The new monitoring method limits the likelihood of gas diversions, a situation where gas is siphoned to an unmetered location for unmeasured consumption.

“This tampering with the pipe poses many risks since it is unrecorded, violates pipeline quality standards and can lead to potential leaks and possibly explosions,” said Dr. Chaaban. “Such diversions have been discovered in the past through word of mouth, leaks or unexpected encounters with an unrecorded natural gas pipe in a construction site.”