No abstract

Pipeline defects and oil leakages pose an enormous challenge especially in the oil and gas industries, hence, the need for an effective and economical pipeline inspection system. This work focused on the development of a cost effective In-Line-Inspection tool called a smart pipe inspection gauge (PIG). A Test bed was designed and developed to simulate the impulses experienced by the PIG as it moved along the pipeline. The electronics and sensors embedded in the smart PIG were designed to detect vibrations as it moved along the pipe wall and allowed for the wireless transmission of data collected by the PIG system. The results obtained from the laboratory tests revealed dramatic changes in the vibrational intensity experienced by the smart PIG at various intervals. This validates the use of off-the-shelf sensing equipment with a low cost assembly to detect defects in pipelines.

This research work deals with the development of incubator powered by steam generated from boiled water in which the inner components and micro – controller are powered by solar system. The eggs incubator is designed to be powered by steam source of energy. The materials selected for the fabrication of the incubator were, plywood, Aluminum foil, Gas cylinder and aluminum condenser pipe. The wood was coated with aluminum foil inside in order to prevent heat loss, the six electric bulbs were introduced to complement the heat when the major source was down and three (3) D.C fans of 1.3A rating each for uniform distribution and circulating of heat. All these components were controlled by an integrated micro-controller circuit by sensing and processing the data (Temperature and Humidity). The Temperature, Humidity and egg turning mechanism were controlled and regulated by configuring micro-controller based on the operating conditions of the incubator. The performance evaluation of the designed incubating machine was tested for the period of 18-28 days. The incubating temperature range of (37-39°C) was maintained throughout the incubating period, and the relative humidity ranged from 45% to 60% was also maintained.

Damage done to petroleum pipelines can be catastrophic if left undetected with time. Most of these damages results in financial losses, environmental pollution and frequent loss of life as a result of explosion due to prolong exposure of pipeline products. Therefore, damage detection and location techniques will play a key role in the overall integrity management of a pipeline system. This paper addresses the development and testing of mathematical techniques for locating an impulsive event on a pipeline and reconstructing the pressure pulse caused by it from measurements made remotely. When an impulsive event occurs along a pipeline, the pressure pulse propagates in both directions and can be detected and measured by sensors located at different positions along the pipeline. From these measurements the location of the event can be determined and its form reconstructed. Techniques for reconstructing the pulse at it source from the distorted pulses measured were developed using deconvolution theory and inverse methods. This theoretical work was validated by experiments using a simulated pipeline. The experimental work was carried out using a test rig comprising a flexible hose pipe 23 m long and 19 mm diameter with four pressure sensors distributed along the pipe and connected to a data acquisition system. The techniques were tested for static and flowing air in the pipe, and were found to give good results.