Detection of hydrate plugs inside submarine pipelines using neutrons

Noncontact monitoring of thin hydrate layers with microwave cavity resonator

“…8 However, this method must be in contact with the pipeline contents, and it may lead to corrosion, leakage, and other potential dangers. Although the neutron-induced analytical techniques are relatively simple and fast, the equipment of the neutron-induced analytical techniques is expensive and has potential radiation hazards, 9 and it is not suitable for long-term dynamic monitoring in large areas. So developing a new detection method is helpful and necessary.…”

“…2,3 The generation of a hydrate plug is believed to begin with thin hydrate layers on the pipeline wall, and these thin layers collapse into bulk hydrate lumps, which deteriorate into a plug. 4 Kinds of jobs have been focused on hydrate detection inside the pipeline, and different detection means have been attempted, such as ultrasound, 5,6 visual flow loop, 6 electrical resistance, 7 conjunct method of optic fiber and impedance spectra, 8 neutron-induced analytical techniques, 9 and so forth. Those research has revealed the potential of each method in hydrate detection.…”

Reduction of Hydrate Formation During Operation of Wells at Tagulskoye Field

“…В зарубежной практике особое внимание уделяется мониторингу технического состояния трубопроводов, а также различным способам диагностики на наличие образования гидратов, особенно в труднодоступных местах [13,[15][16][17]19]. Например, предлагается использование потока нейтронов для мониторинга подводных трубопроводов с помощью нейтронного потока [14]. Китайскими исследователями обосновывается использование нового устройства и метода анализа для обнаружения закупорки гидратами в трубопроводе природного газа с применением ультразвукового сфокусированного контроля [18].…”