Metrological condition assessment of pipelines

Given the increased awareness and sensitivity with regard to safety aspects in the transportation of hazardous media, advanced and (locally) precise monitoring of a pipeline’s condition is absolutely essential. Especially new pipeline projects always offer a good opportunity for installing a monitoring system that is precisely matched to the relevant needs. The present article describes and evaluates a technology that monitors strain and temperature by means of a fiber optic cable. This method, which was applied in conjunction with a test pipe string, was presented at the Oldenburg Pipeline Forum 2016. Unlike conventional monitoring or fiber-optic measuring methods, it determines strain and temperature changes directly on the coated pipe body with meter accuracy. It shows that the fiber optic cables used not only survive the cement coating process completely undamaged, but also, in conjunction with the measuring and analyzing unit, allow strain as a result of mechanical deformation to be determined with high accuracy. At the same time, the condition of a pipeline in terms of its residual load-bearing capacity can be assessed both over its service life as well as during and after unforeseen incidents. This can provide a valuable contribution towards the financial and ecological sustainability of pipeline operation in that damage incidents can be avoided or their impact reduced.