Development of subsurface monitoring and leak detection system

对于石油和天然气行业来说，管道和其他油气基础设施的泄漏可能会造成破坏，成本也会很高。更重要的是，地下泄漏对环境和生活在其中的人构成了严重威胁，因为它可能会被忽视，直到它浮出水面。为了减少漏油的影响，有效的远程检测和快速反应至关重要。DIRECT-C有限公司(DIRECT-C)在基于专利纳米技术的碳氢传感器方面拥有专业知识，并开发了地下直接碳氢化合物远程泄漏检测系统来检测地下泄漏。然而，由于各种岩土活动(地面运动)，地下环境提出了各种挑战。随着Direct-C试图在其现有能力的基础上增加新的地面监测功能，他们需要更好地了解影响地面位移的因素。通过与卡尔加里大学和Direct-C的密切合作，我们计划通过将各种传感器(如倾斜仪、温度、湿度等)与GPS功能结合到其当前系统中来建立地面位移测量能力，以精确跟踪传感器系统的位置。基于传感器数据，需要开发一种算法来监测地面移动并估计管道结构上的应力和载荷。申请人在综合测斜仪系统和相关监测算法的设计和开发方面拥有专业知识和经验，以准确测量角度和平移地面位移。这一合作项目的结果将使Direct-C能够在其现有产品线上增加地面监测能力，并扩大其客户价值。升级后的地下监测和泄漏检测系统还将为该行业提供更好的监测工具，并能够在任何灾难性泄漏之前预测和检测小型泄漏。

For the oil and gas industry, leaks in pipelines and other oil and gas infrastructure can be disruptive and expensive. More importantly, underground leaks pose a serious threat to the environment and those living within it as it can go unnoticed till it surfaces. To reduce the impact of oil spills, effective remote detection and rapid response are essential. Direct-C Ltd. (Direct-C), Calgary has expertise in proprietary nanotechnology based hydrocarbon sensors and has developed the Subsurface Direct Hydrocarbon Remote leak detection system to detect the underground leaks. However, subsurface environment presents various challenges due to various geotechnical activity (ground movement). As Direct-C trying to add new ground monitoring functionalities to its current capability, they need a better understanding of factors affecting the ground displacement. Through the close collaboration with the University of Calgary and Direct-C, we propose to build a ground displacement measurement capability by incorporating various sensors such as inclinometer, temperature, moisture, etc. to its current system along with GPS functionality to precisely track sensor system location. Based on the sensor data, an algorithm will be required to develop for monitoring the ground movement and estimate the stress and load on the pipeline structure. The applicant has expertise and experience in design and development of the integrated inclinometer system and associated monitoring algorithm for accurate measurement of both angular and translation ground displacement. The outcome of this collaborative project would enable Direct-C to add ground monitoring capability to its existing product lines and broaden its customer value. The upgraded subsurface monitoring and leak detection system would also provide a better monitoring tool to the industry and would able to predict and detect small leaks before any catastrophic leaks.