US20100174508A1 - Systems and methods for monitoring system performance - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure includes systems, apparatus, and methods for monitoring a pipeline network having plural inspection sites. The system comprises a memory module associated with one or more inspection sites, with each memory module storing one or more performance parameters corresponding to the associated inspection site. The system also comprises a measuring device operable to collect performance data of each associated inspection site. The system further comprises a portable reader configured to read the memory module, and in association with the measuring device, to compare the one or more performance parameters with the performance data to validate the performance data while in proximity to the associated inspection site.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS
• The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/736,788, filed Nov. 14, 2005, and entitled “System Integrity Monitoring Device and Process”; and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/789,854, filed Apr. 5, 2006, and entitled “System Integrity Monitoring Device and Process”; all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for monitoring system performance, and more specifically to systems and methods for monitoring the performance of a pipeline network having plural inspection sites.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
• Generally, piping is used in the nuclear, petrochemical, and other industries for transporting fluids. A large amount of piping may be set up around a facility in an intricate, non-linear fashion. The transported fluids in the piping may be under high pressures, poisonous, and/or combustible. These factors and others may cause the pipes to degrade over time by corrosion, erosion, depositing, and blockage. This degradation may result in leakages, explosions, or other undesirable results. Leaks or fugitive emissions may also occur along a pipeline at flanges, joints, valves, vessels, etc. Moreover, keeping track of materials, such as valves, flanges, vessels, motors, etc., around a facility is important.
• Monitoring the performance of the pipes is essential. For example, monitoring for the integrity of a pipe and/or for fugitive emissions is essential. Reliable and swift monitoring may signal when a pipe, flange, etc. requires replacement or repair. One integrity parameter to monitor is the wall thickness of the pipes. Common methods used to measure and monitor wall thickness include ultrasonic, visual, mechanical, optical, electromagnetic, electronic, thermal, chemical, and analytical inspection as well as infrared thermography, magnetic flux leakage (MFL), radioisotope gamma radiometry, and radiography.
• Regardless of the method used, problems exist. For example, a user may have to return to a control room before analyzing retrieved data. A user may have to return to a control room to compare a current performance reading obtained at an inspection point to a last performance reading recorded at that inspection point. Accordingly, a user would not know while onsite or in real time whether any problems exist regarding a pipe or a particular reading. Further, a user may take measurements along a pipe in the wrong order, resulting in confusion, wasted time, higher operating costs, and recording errors.
• The present disclosure may utilize memory modules. An exemplary memory module may include a nonvolatile memory. Examples of nonvolatile memory are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,506,757 and 5,576,936. Other examples of memory modules are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,252 and patent application 2004/0135,668. The subject matter of these patents and patent application are incorporated herein by this reference thereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system and apparatus for monitoring a pipeline network having plural inspection sites according to the present disclosure.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an exemplary facility or factory with a pipeline network having plural inspection sites according to the present disclosure.
• FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting an exemplary method according to the present disclosure.
• FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting an exemplary method according to the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
• Referring toFIG. 1, asystem10 for monitoring apipeline network12 havingplural inspection sites14 may include asite identifier20, atarget30, a measuring instrument ordevice40, alocation device50, a data collection device orportable reader60, and a remote processor or database70.
• Site identifier20 may be associated with eachinspection site14 alongpipeline network12.Site identifier20 may be associated with or attached topipeline network12 adhesively, mechanically, or by any other suitable method.Site identifier20 may be associated withinspection site14 at any desired spot, location, point, position, etc.Site identifier20 also may form a part ofpipeline network12, such as part of a pipe. The phrase “associated with” may mean thatinspection sites14 are located, attached, and/or positioned at any point, position, location, spot, place, etc. in any way desired in, on, near, adjacent to, and/or alongpipeline network12. In some embodiments, asingle site identifier20 may be associated withplural inspection sites14. In some embodiments,plural site identifiers20 may be associated with asingle inspections site14.
• Site identifier20 may be any device that allows for unique identification ofplural inspection sites14 inpipeline network12. For example,site identifier20 may be a memory module, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device, a bar-code, and/or any other suitable data-storage device read and/or written by electrical, magnetic, infrared, optical, optical character recognition (OCR), and/or any other technology desired. In some embodiments,site identifier20 may be configured to be written to once.Site identifier20 may be configured for read only access. Typically, as illustrated inFIG. 2,such site identifiers20 are associated with eachinspection site14 inpipeline network12. Althoughplural inspection sites14 typically are employed, for simplicity of disclosure, only asingle inspection site14 is shown inFIG. 1.
• Although a particular memory module configuration is shown inFIG. 1, the memory module may take any of a variety of forms, and may include any suitable structure configured to retain or store data. As used herein, the term “data” may refer to singular or plural information, parameters, quantities, characters, files, symbols, etc. in any electronic, written, or other suitable format. The memory module may include any number of electronic or other devices, including (but not limited to) nonvolatile memory, volatile memory, microprocessors, clocks, sensors, etc. As should be apparent, the memory module may utilize any of a variety of memory technologies, including semiconductor memory, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, etc.
• The memory module may be equipped with an interface for accessing data stored in the memory, such as to add data to memory, retrieve data from memory, overwrite data in memory, erase memory, etc. In some embodiments, the interface may include one or more electrical contacts, through which a signal may pass. Other interfaces may alternatively or additionally be used. For example, in some embodiments, the memory module may include a wireless or contactless interface providing access to stored data on the memory module.
• As used herein, “store,” “stored,” and “storage” mean that data is at least temporarily placed in memory for retrieval later. Stored data may be temporarily stored or permanently stored. Temporarily stored data may be subsequently erased or overwritten with other data, while permanently stored data may not be subsequently erased or overwritten with other data. Data may be stored in any suitable format, with or without compression and/or encryption and/or password protection.
• In some embodiments, the memory module may be a ButtonMemory® manufactured by MacSema, Inc. In some embodiments, the memory module may be an iButton® manufactured by Dallas Semiconductor.
• Each memory module associated with arespective inspection site14 may allow for storage and retrieval of one or more performance parameters, including historic or unique performance parameters, corresponding tosuch inspection site14. The one or more performance (or historic or unique performance) parameters may be related to monitoring pipeline integrity, emissions, fugitive emissions, temperature, pressure, chemical compositions, flow-rates, or for any other conditions and/or issues that may be monitored usingmonitoring system10.
• In some embodiments, the memory module may allow for storage and retrieval of one or more of the following performance (or historical or unique performance) parameters: a unique pipeline inspection site identifier (e.g., a serial number), site location data of acorresponding inspection site14, a material type corresponding toinspection site14, a nominal pipe or wall thickness corresponding toinspection site14, a minimal pipe or wall thickness corresponding toinspection site14, a current pipe or wall thickness measurement corresponding toinspection site14, a last monitoring date corresponding toinspection site14, a last pipe or wall thickness measurement on the last date monitored corresponding toinspection site14, and the identity of the last user who performed an inspection corresponding toinspection site14.
• Monitoring system10 may include acover22 that is configured to protectsite identifier20.Cover22 may be temporarily secured oversite identifier20 to shieldsite identifier20 from potential damage.Cover22 may be held in place by frictional, magnetic, and/or mechanical force, and/or by other means.
• Target30 may include atarget rim32 and ahole34.Target30 may be attached topipeline network12 adhesively, mechanically, or by any other suitable method.Target30 may take any convenient shape, including circular, oblong, square, or rectilinear.Target30 may be associated with eachinspection site14 to define a performance data collection point atsuch inspection site14. The performance data collection point may be a point, position, spot, and/or location on a pipe or alongpipeline network12 for collecting performance data.
• Hole34 may be fittably sized to receive asensor46 of measuringdevice40. The performance data collection point may be defined as a point that is fittably sized to receivesensor46 for collecting performance data.Target30 may be advantageous for generating a consistent (e.g., accurate and/or precise) measurement for collecting performance data atinspection site14.Target30 may indicate the data collection point in any way desired. In some embodiments,target30 andsite identifier20 may form a unitary component associated with or attached atinspection site14. The unitary component may be a plate to whichsite identifier20 is attached and comprised oftarget30 including34. The plate may be metal, plastic, or any other suitable material.
• FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary facility or factory F comprising apipeline network12.Pipeline network12 may include a network of intricate, non-linear pipes, flanges, fasteners, vessels, pressure vessels, etc. located around and throughout facility or factory F. In other embodiments,pipeline network12 may be located around and throughout a plant, a power plant, a ship, a submarine, or in any other location.Pipeline network12 may include multiple pipes with each pipe configured to carry different fluids.Pipeline network12 may include any type of material, including metals, plastics, etc.Plural inspection sites14 may be associated withpipeline network12.
• For illustrative purposes only,inspection sites14a,14b,14c,and14dmay be associated withpipeline network12. In other embodiments,pipeline network12 may have asmany inspection sites14 as desired, including hundreds or even thousands. Asite identifier20 and atarget30 may be associated with or attached at eachinspection site14.Portable reader60 and/or measuringdevice40 may be transported to any ofinspection sites14a-dfor monitoring. Now returning toFIG. 1,monitoring system10 may include measuringdevice40.
• Measuringdevice40 may include ascreen42, a plurality ofkeys44, asensor46, afirst connector48, and asecond connector49. Measuringdevice40 may be operable to make certain desired measurements ofinspection site14. Measuringdevice40 may be operable to collect performance data ofinspection site14. The performance data may be related to pipeline integrity, emissions, fugitive emissions, temperature, pressure, chemical compositions, flow-rates, or for any other conditions and/or issues for which data may be collected usingmonitoring system10.
• Screen42 may be configured to view data stored in measuringdevice40, or accessible thereby.Keys44 may include an on/off key, a calibration key, a plurality of key pad keys, a set of scroll left/right keys, and/or a set of scroll up/down keys. In other embodiments, measuringdevice40 may include a touch-pad, a touch-screen, voice input or another suitably configured data entry device or tool. Measuringdevice40 may be configured to control partially or entirely the operation oflocation device50 and/orportable reader60. Alternatively, measuringdevice40 may act as a peripheral to another device, such aslocation device50 and/orportable reader60, wherelocation device50 and/orportable reader60 is configured to control partially or entirely the operation of measuringdevice40.
• Sensor46 may be configured to make measurements and/or collect performance data ofinspection site14. In some embodiments,sensor46 may be fittably configured to fit intorim32 ontarget30 associated withinspection site14.Sensor46 may transmit or send data, including performance data, to measuringdevice40 of a selected orpresent inspection site14 being measured via afirst connector48.
• First connector48 may allow data to pass between measuringdevice40 andsensor46.First connector48 may connect measuringdevice40 tosensor46.First connector48 may create an electrical connection, an optical connection, a radio frequency (RF) connection, a wireless connection, or any other type of connection desired.First connector48 may be a cable.
• In some embodiments, measuringdevice40 may measure the performance ofpipeline network12 using ultrasonic inspection, mechanical inspection, optical inspection, electromagnetic and electronic inspection, thermal inspection, chemical and analytical inspection, infrared thermography, magnetic flux leakage (MFL), radioisotope gamma radiometry, radiography, or any other method desired. Measuringdevice40 may collect performance data from the measurement. In some embodiments, the performance data may include a current pipe or wall thickness ofinspection site14. In some embodiments, measuringdevice40 may be an ultrasound device, such as a Panametrics Corrosion Thickness Gage 37DL Plus. Measuringdevice40 may be a modified Panametrics Thickness Gage 37DL Plus. The Panametrics Thickness Gage 37DL Plus may be controlled entirely or in part byportable reader60. Measuringdevice40 may be a Krautkramer DMS2E. Measuringdevice40 may be a modified Krautkramer DMS2E. The Krautkramer DMS2E may be controlled entirely or in part byportable reader60.
• Measuringdevice40 may be connected toportable reader60 via asecond connector49.Second connector49 may allow measuringdevice40 andportable reader60 to connect and interface.Second connector49 may allow data to pass between measuringdevice40 andportable reader60.Second connector49 may be in the form of an electrical connection, an optical connection, an RF connection, a wireless connection, or any other type of connection desired.Second connector49 may be a cable.Sensor46 may communicate withportable reader60 viafirst connector48 andsecond connector49. It will be appreciated thatsensor46 may be connected viafirst connector48 toportable reader60, and may communicate with measuringdevice40 viasecond connector49 and/or withlocation device50 via athird connector52.
• Monitoring system10 may includelocation device50.Location device50 may be any device capable of determining site location data.Location device50 may be a global positioning satellite (GPS) device.Location device50 may be a Galileo positioning system device.Location device50 may use GPS, Galileo, or any other suitable technology for gathering site location data.Location device50 may have anantenna54 for receiving a signal from, for example, GPS satellites56 and/or Galileo satellites56.
• Location device50 may have its own controls, or act as a peripheral to another device, such asportable reader60 and/or measuringdevice40, whereportable reader60 and/or measuringdevice40 is configured to control operation oflocation device50.Location device50 may be configured to control partially or entirely the operation of measuringdevice40 and/orportable reader60.
• Location device50 may be permanently or temporarily connected via athird connector52 withportable reader60 and/or measuringdevice40.Third connector52 may allowlocation device50 andportable reader60 to connect and interface.Third connector52 may allow data to pass betweenlocation device50 andportable reader60.Third connector52 may be in the form of an electrical connection, an optical connection, an RF connection, a wireless connection, or any other type of connection desired.Third connector52 may be a cable.Portable reader60 may store data passed fromlocation device50. It will also be appreciated thatthird connector52 may allowlocation device50 and measuringdevice40 to connect and interface either by directly connectingthird connector52 to measuringdevice40 or indirectly viaportable reader60.
• Various site location data may be associated with acorresponding inspection site14. Site location data may include a distance value and a direction value. The distance value may include a measurable distance between points (e.g., inches, feet, meters, etc.). The direction value may include coordinates or bearings (e.g., North, South, East, West, Up, Down, Left, Right, Starboard, Port, etc.). The distance value and the direction value, or any combination of distance values and direction values, may be used to determine the location of a selected ordestination inspection site14. Site location data may be in any suitable format, such as latitude coordinates and longitude coordinates, GPS coordinates, Galileo coordinates, user-defined values or coordinates (e.g., “5 feet above the third door on the left”), and/or any combination thereof.
• As described above, site identifier20 (e.g., the memory module) may store site location data corresponding tosuch inspection site14 associated withsite identifier20.Portable reader60 may store site location data corresponding to eachinspection site14 inpipeline network12.
• Monitoring system10 may also includeportable reader60.Portable reader60 may include ascreen62, a plurality ofkeys64, a reader/writer66, afourth connector67, an internal on-board memory68, and aprocessor69.
• Screen62 may be configured to view data inportable reader60.Screen62 may also be configured to view data in measuringdevice40 and/or inlocation device50.Portable reader60 may be configured to partially or entirely control measuringdevice40 and/orlocation device50.Keys64 may include an on/off key, a calibration key, a plurality of key pad keys, a set of scroll left/right keys, and/or a set of scroll up/down keys.Keys64 may be configured to controlportable reader60. In other embodiments,portable reader60 may include a touch-pad, a touch-screen, voice input, or another suitably configured data entry device or tool in lieu of and/or in addition tokeys64.
• Portable reader60 may be configured to control partially or entirely the operation of measuringdevice40 and/orlocation device50.Keys64 may also be configured to control measuring device40 (via second connector49), and/or location device50 (via third connector52). Alternatively,portable reader60 may act as a peripheral to another device, such as measuringdevice40 and/orlocation device50, where measuringdevice40 and/orlocation device50 is configured to control partially or entirely the operation of measuringdevice40.
• Portable reader60 andsite identifier20 may be complementary-configured for allowing data, and/or parameters to pass. In some embodiments, reader/writer66 may be associated withportable reader60 andsite identifier20 may be complementary-configured so thatportable reader60 may read data from and/or write data tosite identifier20, and vice-versa. An interface on reader/writer66 may be aligned with an interface onsite identifier20 so that data may be transferred between reader/writer66 andsite identifier20. Reader/writer66 may transmit data to and/or fromsite identifier20 electrically, optically, with radio waves, and/or with infrared waves, etc. Reader/writer66 may be a sensor or probe.
• Reader/writer66 may send or retrieve data fromportable reader60 viafourth connector67.Fourth connector67 may allow data to pass betweenportable reader60 and reader/writer66.Fourth connector67 may connectportable reader60 to reader/writer66.Fourth connector67 may be in the form of an electrical connection, an optical connection, an RF connection, a wireless connection, or any other type of connection desired.Fourth connector67 may be a cable. It will be appreciated that reader/writer66 may communicate with measuringdevice40 viafourth connector67 andsecond connector49, and/or withlocation device50 viafourth connector67 andthird connector52. It will also be appreciated that reader/writer66 may be connected to measuringdevice40 viafourth connector67, and may communicate withportable reader60 viasecond connector49 and/or withlocation device50 viathird connector52.
• Portable reader60 may include internal on-board memory68. Internal on-board memory68 may take any of a variety of forms, and may include any suitable structure configured to retain or store data. Internal on-board memory68 may include any number of electronic or other devices, including (but not limited to) nonvolatile memory, volatile memory, microprocessors, clocks, sensors, etc. As should be apparent, internal on-board memory68 may utilize any of a variety of memory technologies, including semiconductor memory, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, etc. Internal on-board memory68 may retain or store data for measuringdevice40,location device50, and/orportable reader60.
• Internal on-board memory68 may store or receive for storage the one or more performance (or historical or unique performance) parameters corresponding to eachinspection site14. Internal on-board memory68 may store or receive for storage the one or more performance (or historical or unique performance) parameters corresponding to such site identifier20 (e.g., the memory module) associated with a selected orpresent inspection site14. Internal on-board memory68 may store or receive for storage performance data ofinspection site14. Internal on-board memory68 may store or receive for storage performance data from measuringdevice40.
• Internal on-board memory68 may store or receive for storage site location data corresponding to eachinspection site14 inpipeline network12. Internal on-board memory68 may store or receive for storage present site location data from asite identifier20 associated with apresent inspection site14.
• Processor69 may be configured to analyze, compute, and/or compare data retrieved by and/or stored inportable reader60. Processor may analyze, compute, and/or compare data associated with a selectedinspection site14 in real-time and/or while at, near, around, adjacent to, and/or in proximity to the selectedinspection site14. In some embodiments,processor69 may verify the one or more performance parameters corresponding to and/or associated with arespective inspection site14. In some embodiments,processor69 may compare the one or more performance parameters corresponding to and/or associated with apresent inspection site14 with performance data of thepresent inspection site14.
• Processor69 may validate, e.g., the accuracy and/or precision, of the performance data in real time or while on-location at thepresent inspection site14. Either a user orprocessor69 may interpret the performance data in real time or while on-location at thepresent inspection site14. Either a user orprocessor69 may validate the performance of thepresent inspection site14 and/orpipeline network12 in real time or while on-location at thepresent inspection site14. Either a user orprocessor69 may validate the performance ofmonitoring system10 in real time or while on-location at thepresent inspection site14.
• In some embodiments,processor69 may be configured to compare site location data of thepresent inspection site14 with reference site location data to determine a location of adestination inspection site14. The site location data corresponding to thedestination inspection site14, or anyother inspection site14, may be the reference site location data. It will be appreciated thatprocessor69 may determine the location of thedestination inspection site14 without the use oflocation monitoring device50.
• In some embodiments,portable reader60 may be a suitably configured PDA device, notebook computer, or other suitable portable or hand-held computing or processing device. In some embodiments,portable reader60 may be a ButtonReader® manufactured by MacSema, Inc., that communicates (e.g., reads/writes) with the ButtonMemory®. The ButtonReader® may transmit, download and/or upload data to the Button Memory®.
• In some embodimentsportable reader60 may be a modified ButtonReader®. The ButtonReader® may control entirely, or in part, measuringdevice40 and/orlocation device50. The ButtonReader® may communicate with measuringdevice40 and/orlocation device50 for transmitting data. The Panametrics Thickness Gage 37DL Plus may be connected to the ButtonReader® viasecond connector49. Krautkramer DMS2E may be connected to the ButtonReader® viasecond connector49.
• In some embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 1,portable reader60 and measuringdevice40 may form a unitary portable instrument. The unitary portable instrument may be configured so that one ormore measuring devices40, one ormore location devices50, one or moreportable readers60 and/or any combination thereof is integrated as one unit, integrated as connected components, or integrated in any way desired. As shown in dashed lines inFIG. 2, the unitary portable instrument includingportable reader60 may be transported as needed toinspection sites14 alongpipeline12 for monitoring. It will be appreciated that measuringdevice40 may be located atinspection site14 for performing constant or real-time monitoring.
• Monitoring system10 may include remote processor or database70. Remote database70 may be any device allowing for storage, retrieval, and/or processing of data, such as a computer. Remote database70 may contain any parts needed for storing, retrieving, and/or processing data, such as a memory module, a microchip, a screen, and a keyboard. Remote database70 may use afifth connector71 to interface with measuringdevice40,location device50, and/orportable reader60, allowing data to pass.Fifth connector71 may be in the form of an electrical connection, an optical connection, an RF connection, a wireless connection, or any other type of connection desired.Fifth connector71 may be a cable. Remote database70 may store and/or process any data of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, remote database70 may be connected viafourth connector67 to a reader/writer66. Remote database70 may be able to read data from and/or write data to site identifier20 (e.g., a memory module) via reader/writer66.
• FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting anexemplary method100 for monitoringinspection sites14. Atblock110,plural inspection sites14 are selected and associated withpipeline network12.Inspection sites14 may be associated with one or more pipes, fasteners, flanges, valves, vessel, pressure vessels, etc. inpipeline network12.
• Atblock112, atarget30 may be associated with eachinspection site14.
• Atblock114, asite identifier20 may be associated with eachinspection site14.Site identifier20 may store or contain one or more performance parameters associated withsuch inspection site14. In some embodiments,site identifier20 may be a memory module.Portable reader60 and/or remote database70 may be used to write tosite identifier20 the one or more performance parameters associated withsuch inspection site14.
• Atblock116, aninspection site14 for monitoring may be selected.Portable reader60 may be transported to the selectedinspection site14. A unitary portable instrument that may includeportable reader60, measuringdevice40 and/orlocation device50 may be transported to the selectedinspection site14. UsingFIG. 2 as an example,inspection site14amay be selected. The unitary portable instrument includingportable reader60 may be transported toinspection site14a.
• Atblock120, the one or more performance (or historical or unique) parameters stored onsite identifier20 associated with the selectedinspection site14 may be acquired byportable reader60. Reader/writer66 may readsite identifier20 to acquire the one or more performance parameters. In some embodiments,portable reader60 may acquire the one or more performance parameters from the memory module. The one or more performance parameters acquired may include one or more performance parameters stored onsite identifier20 corresponding to the selectedinspection site14.Portable reader60 may acquire the one or more performance parameters onsite and/or in real time. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 2,portable reader60 may acquire the one or more performance parameters corresponding toinspection site14awhileportable reader60 is located at or aroundinspection site14a.Screen62 ofportable reader60 may indicate that data was transmitted fromsite identifier20 toportable reader60.
• Turning to block121 ofFIG. 3,portable reader60 may be suitably programmed to compare the one or more performance parameters with data stored onportable reader60 to verify that the data being compared matches. For example,portable reader60 may compare the last pipe or wall thickness reading and the last date of the last pipe or wall thickness reading acquired inblock120 with data stored withportable reader60 including a last pipe or wall thickness reading and a last date of a last pipe or wall thickness to verify that the data matches.Portable reader60 may provide an alert if the data stored withportable reader60 does not match the one or more performance parameters stored withsite identifier20.
• Atblock122, measuringdevice40 may collect performance data of the selectedinspection site14. In some embodiments,sensor46 of measuringdevice40 may be placed inhole34 ontarget30, i.e., the performance data collection point, for taking a reading or measurement to collect performance data. In some embodiments, performance data collected by measuringdevice40 may be the current pipe or wall thickness associated withinspection site14, such as athole34 oftarget30. In some embodiments, the performance data may be collected after a visual or other inspection without using measuringdevice40.
• In some embodiments, one or more of the performance data may be collected. For example, measuringdevice40 may collect plural performance data over a predetermined time interval. The time interval may be in seconds, minutes, hours, days, etc.
• Atblock124, the performance data ofblock122 may be acquired byportable reader60.Portable reader60 may acquire the performance data while onsite and/or in real time. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 2,portable reader60 may acquire the performance data ofinspection site14awhileportable reader60 is located at or aroundinspection site14a.
• Portable reader60 may be configured to manually receive the performance data. In some embodiments,keys64 may be used to manually type intoportable reader60 the performance data. In some embodiments, pressing a key64 may causeportable reader60 to communicate with measuringdevice40 to retrieve the collected performance data.
• Portable reader60 may be suitably programmed to retrieve or acquire automatically the performance data from measuringdevice40. In some embodiments,portable reader60 may be programmed to perform a reading process to read measuringdevice40. The reading process may determine whether measuringdevice40 has collected performance data. The reading process may begin reader/writer66 receives data fromsite identifier20. The reading process may end when measuringdevice40 has collected the performance data.Portable reader60 may be programmed to retrieve or acquire the performance data from measuringdevice40 after the performance data reading has substantially stabilized.
• The reading process may end after a predetermined amount of time if measuringdevice40 does not collect the performance data and/or does not collect a substantially stabilized reading.Portable reader60 may alert the user if performance data has not been acquired in the predetermined time. The alert may include resettingportable reader60 and/or prompting the collection of performance data inblock122.Screen62 ofportable reader60 may indicate that data was transmitted from measuringdevice40 toportable reader60.
• Portable reader60 may be suitably programmed to acquire the performance data collected over the interval inblock122 from measuringdevice40.
• Now turning to block130 inFIG. 3,portable reader60 may compare, compute, and/or analyze data.Portable reader60 may perform one or more tests in real time and/or onsite at or aroundinspection site14. The tests may include validation and/or interpretation of data.Portable reader60 may be suitably programmed to compare one or more of the performance data collected over the interval inblock122 from measuringdevice40.
• Inblock132,portable reader60 may compare the performance data acquired inblock122 with one or more performance parameters acquired inblock120 to validate the performance data acquired inblock124. The validation of performance data may be performed onsite and/or in real time. The validation of performance data may provide real-time feedback of the reliability and/or accuracy of the performance data acquired inblock122.Portable reader60 may alert a user as required if problems exist with the reliability and/or accuracy of the performance data acquired inblock124.
• In some embodiments, comparing the one or more performance parameters stored withsite identifier20, with data stored withportable reader60, as described inblock120, may help validate the performance data collected by confirming onsite that the performance data was collected at thecorrect inspection site14 in the correct order, etc. In some embodiments, validation of performance data may includeportable reader60 determining that the performance data is out of range. For example, the current pipe or wall thickness acquired inblock124 may be compared to the nominal pipe or wall thickness corresponding to the selectedinspection site14. In some embodiments, if the current pipe or wall thickness is plus or minus about 12.5% of the nominal pipe or wall thickness, then the current pipe or wall thickness data may be out of range.
• In some embodiments, validation of performance data may includeportable reader60 determining if measuringdevice40 collected imprecise and/or inaccurate performance data (e.g., it took a “bad” reading). For example, the current pipe or wall thickness acquired inblock124 may be above the nominal pipe or wall thickness of thecorresponding inspection site14. In some embodiments, when the current pipe or wall thickness is greater than about 0.005 of nominal pipe or wall thickness, measuringdevice40 collected bad performance data.
• One or more responses may occur based on the validation of the performance data acquired inblock124. If the performance data is determined to be invalid (for example, out of range, inaccurate, and/or imprecise) or the data collected is determined to be bad, thenportable reader60 may prompt measuringdevice40 or the user to acquire or collect new performance data inblock122. In some embodiments,portable reader60 may automatically prompt measuringdevice40 to collect a new current pipe or wall thickness reading. Invalid performance data readings may also mean a problem exists with measuringdevice40 or elsewhere inmonitoring system10. In response, appropriate changes, tuning, calibrations or adjustments may be made tomonitoring system10, such as, moving, adjusting, replacing, repairing, etc. measuringdevice40 an/ormonitoring system10.
• Inblock134,portable reader60 may compare the performance data acquired inblock124 with one or more performance parameters acquired inblock120 to interpret the performance data acquired inblock124. The interpretation of performance data may be performed onsite and/or in real time. The interpretation of performance data may provide real-time feedback of the status ofpipeline network12 and/or ofmonitoring system10.Portable reader60 may alert a user as required based on the interpretation.
• For example, in some embodiments, the interpretation of performance data may determine ifpipeline network12 is at optimal performance.Portable reader60 may determine that the current pipe or wall thickness acquired inblock124 is moderately or severely below the nominal pipe or wall thickness corresponding toinspection site14.Portable reader60 may also determine the current pipe or wall thickness acquired inblock124 is below the minimal level of thickness for the pipe of thecorresponding inspection site14.Portable reader60 may be configured to only interpret performance data determined to be valid inblock132.
• One or more responses may occur based on the interpretation of the performance data acquired inblock124. The performance data may signal thatpipeline network12 is not at optimal performance. In response, appropriate changes, tuning, calibrations, or adjustments may be made topipeline network12. In response, a user may adjust, replace and/or repair the pipes, flanges, etc., inpipeline network12. The performance data may alert a user that a problem exists with one or more components ofmonitoring system10. For example, a faultyportable reader60 or measuringdevice40 may exist. In response, appropriate changes, replacements, repairs, tuning, or adjustments may be made tomonitoring system10.
• Inblock140, data may be transmitted (e.g., written to) tosite identifier20 using reader/writer66. In some embodiments, one or more updated performance parameters may be transmitted to site identifier20 (e.g., the memory module) associated with the selectedinspection site14 for storage. For example, the performance data acquired inblock124 and the date on which the performance data was collected inblock122 and/or acquired inblock124 may be transmitted to the selectedsite identifier20 for storage. The identity of the last user who performed an inspection corresponding toinspection site14 may also be transmitted (e.g., written to)site identifier20. In this manner,site identifier20 may maintain a historical record of one or more historical performance parameters that are unique tosuch inspection site14 associated withsite identifier20.
• Portable reader60 may be locked manually and/or automatically to prevent overwriting of data stored in internal on-board memory68 and/or to prevent measuringdevice40 from collecting performance data.Portable reader60 may lock data associated with a selectedsite identifier20 after reader/writer66 has transmitted data tosuch site identifier20.Portable reader60 may be locked manually, e.g., usingkeys64.Portable reader60 may be configured to lock automatically after a predetermined delay.Screen62 ofportable reader60 may indicate thatportable reader60 is locked.
• Portable reader60 may be unlocked to allow for modification of stored data and/or to allow measuringdevice40 to collect performance data.Portable reader60 may be unlocked manually.Portable reader60 may be suitably programmed to unlock for a selectedinspection site14 after data is transmitted fromsite identifier20 associated with the selectedinspection site14 to reader/writer66.
• In some embodiments,portable reader60 may be suitably programmed to verify whether data, such as the one or more updated performance parameters, have been written tosite identifier20. For example,portable reader60 may provide an alert ifportable reader60 has not written tosite identifier20 after a predetermined time. The predetermined time may be some time interval afterportable reader60 validated the performance data inblock132 and/or interpreted the performance data in134. The alert may include prompting the collection of new performance data inblock122 and/or discrediting the performance data already collected and stored inportable reader60. This verification may confirm that performance data was collected atinspection site14. This verification may confirm that the performance data was validated by using the one or more performance values stored onsite identifier20.
• Inblock142, data may be transmitted, sent, or uploaded to remote database70 for storage, analysis, etc.
• Returning to block116, anotherinspection site14 may be selected for monitoring. Referring again toFIG. 2, a user atinspection site14amay select to monitorinspection site14b,14c,or14d.The unitary portable instrument includingportable reader60 may be transported to the next-selectedinspection site14. The steps disclosed in blocks110-140 may be repeated forinspection site14b,14c,and/or14das necessary.
• Now referring to the flow chart inFIG. 4,method100 may also allow for determining the location ofinspection sites14 alongpipeline network12. Atblock200, site location data may be associated with eachinspection site14 selected inblock110.Location device50 may be used to determine site location data for eachinspection site14. Blueprints, survey tools (i.e., lasers), or any manual or other method to determine site location data may also be used.
• In some embodiments, site location data may be determined while onsite or while associatingsite identifier20 withinspection site14 atblock114 inFIG. 3. Site location data may be associated withinspection site14,site identifier20, and/ortarget30 in any way desired in, on, near, adjacent to, and/or alongpipeline network12 at any desired point, position, location, spot, place, etc. It will be appreciated that any method described, or other suitable method, may be employed to determine site location data of eachinspection site14. Any of the various site location data described above may be associated with a correspondingsite inspection site14.
• Atblock210 ofFIG. 4, each site identifier20 (e.g., the memory module) associated withinspection site14 may store the determined site location data corresponding tosuch inspection site14. Site location data may be stored in a machine-readable format, as a barcode, as electronic data, or in any other desired format. UsingFIG. 2 as an illustration,inspection sites14a,14b,14cand14dmay be selected. Site location data forinspection site14ais stored atsite identifier20 associated withinspection site14a.Likewise, site location data for14bis stored atinspection site14b,etc.
• Atblock220 ofFIG. 4, the determined site location data for eachinspection site14 may be sent to a database accessible from anyinspection site14. In the illustrated embodiment, the database is stored in internal on-board memory68 inportable reader60. The database may also be stored on eachsite identifier20 and/or on remote database70. The site location data may include reference site location data. The reference site location data may be one or more fixed locations, including anysuitable inspection site14 or any other location desired. Again usingFIG. 2 as an example, site location data corresponding to each ofinspection site14a,14b,14c,and14dis stored inportable reader60.
• The site location data inblocks200 and210 may be used to determine the location ofinspection sites14 alongpipeline network12. For example, the site location data may be used to determine the location of the inspection site selected for monitoring inblock116 ofFIG. 3. Inblock230 ofFIG. 4, site location data may be transmitted from site identifier20 (e.g., the memory module) at apresent inspection site14 toportable reader60. Reader/writer66 ofportable reader60 may be used to acquire site location data fromsite identifier20. In some embodiments,portable reader60 may be configured to read a bar-code storing site location data associated withinspection site14.
• Atblock240 ,portable reader60 may compare site location data from thepresent inspection site14 to reference site location data to determine the location of a destination inspection site. In one embodiment,keys64 onportable reader60 may be used to select any desireddestination inspection site14 stored inportable reader60. In this manner, a location, e.g., a relative distance value and a relative direction value, between the present inspection site and the destination inspection site may be determined. In this manner, a user may locate the destination inspection site from the present inspection site in real time. It will be appreciated that since all site location data is stored inportable reader60 and/or at eachinspection site14 associated withpipeline network12,location device50 is not needed for determining a location of adestination inspection site14.
• In some embodiments, the relative distance value and the relative direction value determined byportable reader60 may be adjusted for increased precision and/or accuracy. For example, it is appreciated that current GPS, Galileo, or other location technology may be unable to provide exact or pinpoint coordinates corresponding to an actual location. Site location data (e.g., GPS coordinates) determined for eachinspection site14 may therefore be off by a few degrees, feet, etc. relative to the exact or pinpoint coordinates of the actual location ofinspection site14 inpipeline network12. Accordingly, the relative distance value and/or the relative direction value determined byportable reader60 between thepresent inspection site14 and thedestination inspection site14 may be off by a few degrees, feet, etc.
• Portable reader60 may be suitably programmed to allow a user to enter data to account for any disparity between the location of thedestination inspection site14 determined byportable reader60 and the actual location of thedestination inspection site14. The data may be input intoportable reader60 onsite.Portable reader60 may reconfigure in real-time the relative distance value and the relative direction value to substantially correspond with the exact or pinpoint coordinates of the actual location.
• In another example, it is appreciated that facilities F, etc. are generally positioned and/or angled at some degree of deviation relative to a true north reading. A true north reading may be obtained using a magnetic compass or other suitable means. The degree of deviation from true north may be determined by using a compass, blueprints of facility F, etc., or using any other suitable method. The degree of deviation may be recorded as the degree that facility F, etc. is position or angled relative to true north.
• Site location data determined from GPS may be based on a true north reading. The location (e.g., the relative distance value and the relative direction value) determined byportable reader60 between the present inspection site and the destination inspection site may be based on a true north reading. Accordingly, the location determined byportable reader60 may be inaccurate by whatever degree of deviation the facility F, etc., is angled or positioned relative to true north.
• Portable reader60 may be suitably programmed to allow a user to input data to substantially account for the degree of deviation facility F, etc. is from true north. The inputted data may be the degree that facility F, etc. is positioned or angled relative to true north. The data may be inputted intoportable reader60 onsite.Portable reader60 may reconfigure in real-time the relative distance value and the relative direction value to substantially account for the degree of deviation of facility F relative to true north.
• UsingFIG. 2 as an example,inspection site14amay be the present inspection site,inspection site14bmay be the destination inspection site, andinspection site14bmay also be the reference site location data. The location data for thepresent inspection site14ais retrieved from the database inportable reader60.Keys64 are used to selectdestination inspection site14b.Portable reader60 compares site location data forpresent inspection site14ato reference site location data ofinspection site14bto determine a location ofdestination inspection site14b.Portable reader60 may calculate a distance value and a direction value betweenpresent inspection site14aanddestination inspection site14b.Portable reader60 may adjust the calculated distance value and direction value as described above. In other embodiments, inspection site14c,14d,or another location may serve as the reference site location data.
• In some embodiments,location device50 may be associated or coupled with the database stored onportable reader60 to determine the location of adestination inspection site14. The user may take a location-data reading from any location usinglocation device50. This reading may serve as the reference point. A user may then usekeys44 onportable reader60 to select a destination inspection site. As described in the last paragraph,portable reader60 may then calculate a distance value and a direction value between apresent inspection site14 and thedestination inspection site14. In some embodiments, a location of adestination inspection site14 may be determined using only the site location data stored onportable reader60.
• In some embodiments, a location of adestination inspection site14 may be determined using a combination of GPS and/or Galileo coordinates with user-defined values. For example, the GPS and/or Galileo coordinates may be used to determine a selected location near one ormore inspections sites14. The user-defined values may then define and/or be used to determine the distance and the direction of the one ormore inspections sites14arelative to the selected location.
• System10 is not limited to the systems, apparatus, and methods depicted inFIGS. 1-4. In some embodiments,monitoring system10 may be used for locating and/or monitoring fugitive emissions inspection sites alongpipeline network12. Fugitive emissions may generally include leaks from, or in the connections between, flanges, pipes, pumps, compressors, valves, vessels, pressure vessels, etc.Monitoring system10 may comprise any or all components described above, including a site identifier20 (such as a memory module) associated with one or more fugitive emissions inspection sites, and a measuring device.
• In some embodiments, the memory module may allow for storage and retrieval of one or more performance (or historical or unique performance) parameters corresponding to a fugitive emissions inspection site inmonitoring system10. For example, the memory module may allow for storage and retrieval of a unique fugitive emissions inspection site identifier corresponding to the fugitive emissions inspection site, location data corresponding to the fugitive emissions inspection site, material types corresponding to the fugitive emissions inspection site, diameters corresponding to the fugitive emissions inspection site, flow rates corresponding to the fugitive emissions inspection site, torque values corresponding to the fugitive emissions inspection site, historical emission readings corresponding to the fugitive emissions inspection site, and/or other suitable data corresponding to the fugitive emissions inspection site.
• The measuring device may be configured to monitor for fugitive emissions. The measuring device may be configured to collect performance data including a fugitive emissions value. The performance data including the fugitive emissions value may be acquired byportable reader60 in any manner described above, i.e., manually, automatically, etc. In some embodiments, the measuring device may not be connected to and/or in communication withportable reader60. The performance data may be manually entered intoportable reader60 in these instances.
• A method for monitoring fugitive emissions may be similar to the method already described above. In some embodiments, reader/writer66 may acquire the one or more performance parameters from asite identifier20 associated with a selected fugitiveemissions inspection site14.Portable reader60 may be configured to prompt the user to collect performance data in response tosensor46 acquiring the one or more performance parameters.
• The measuring device may be used to measure and/or collect performance data including a fugitive emissions value. The collected performance data may then be manually entered intoportable reader60, e.g., usingkeys64.Portable reader60 may be configured to provide an alert if performance data has not been entered intoportable reader60 after a predetermined time.Portable reader60 may be configured to prompt a user to communicate (write) one or more updated performance parameters tosite identifier20.Portable reader60 may be configured to provide an alert if the one or more updated performance parameters have not been written tosite identifier20 after a predetermined time. The alert may include erasing the collected performance data and/or prompting the user to again collect performance data using the measuring device.
• In some embodiments,monitoring system10 may be used for materials tracking, including for locating pipes, pumps, compressors, valves, flanges, machines, or any other equipment as desired.Monitoring system10 may comprise any or all components described above, including a site identifier20 (such as a memory module) associated with one or more materials trackinginspection sites14. In some embodiments, the memory module may allow for storage and retrieval of data corresponding to the materials trackinginspection site14. For example, the memory module may allow for storage and retrieval of a unique material tracking inspection site identifier, location data for the materials trackinginspection site14, historical tracking data corresponding to the materials trackinginspection site14, and/or suitable data.
• While embodiments of a system, apparatus, and methods of use thereof have been particularly shown and described, many variations may be made therein. This disclosure may include one or more independent or interdependent inventions directed to various combinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties, one or more of which may be defined in the following claims. Other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed later in this or a related application. Such variations, whether they are directed to different combinations or directed to the same combinations, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure. An appreciation of the availability or significance of claims not presently claimed may not be presently realized. Accordingly, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element, or combination thereof, is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application. Each claim defines an invention disclosed in the foregoing disclosure, but any one claim does not necessarily encompass all features or combinations that may be claimed.
• Where the disclosure recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such recitations include one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Further, ordinal indicators, such as first, second or third, for identified elements are used to distinguish between the elements, and do not indicate a required or limited number of such elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order of such elements unless otherwise specifically stated.
• Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through presentation of claims in a related application. Such claims, whether they are directed to different inventions or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the other claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
• The present disclosure is applicable to devices and methods for industrial monitoring and specifically to monitoring pipeline performance including pipe or wall thickness and fugitive emissions.

Claims (29)

1. A system for monitoring a pipeline network having plural inspection sites, the system comprising:

a memory module associated with one or more inspection sites, each memory module storing one or more performance parameters corresponding to the associated inspection site;

a measuring device operable to collect performance data of each associated inspection site; and

a portable reader configured to read the memory module, and in association with the measuring device, to compare the one or more performance parameters with the performance data to validate the performance data while in proximity to the associated inspection site.

2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the portable reader is further configured to interpret the performance data while in proximity to the associated inspection site.

3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the portable reader is further configured to verify the one or more performance parameters while in proximity to the associated inspection site.

4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the measuring device and the portable reader form a unitary portable instrument.

5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein each memory module includes a nonvolatile memory storing the one or more performance parameters.

6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the performance data includes current wall thickness, and wherein the one or more performance parameters include nominal wall thickness, minimal wall thickness, and one or more previous wall thicknesses.

7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the measuring device is an ultrasound device.

8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein each memory module includes site location data of a corresponding inspection site.

9. The system ofclaim 8, further wherein the site location data includes global positioning satellite coordinates.

10. The system ofclaim 8, further wherein the site location data includes a distance value and a direction value.

11. (canceled)

12. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a target associated with one or more inspection sites to define a performance data collection point at such associated inspection site.

13. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the performance data includes a fugitive emissions value, and the one or more performance parameters include fugitive emissions parameters.

14. A method for monitoring a pipeline network having plural inspection sites, the method comprising the steps of:

storing one or more performance parameters on a memory module associated with such inspection site;

transmitting the one or more performance parameters associated with a present inspection site to a portable reader configured to read the memory module; and

comparing with the portable reader one or more performance parameters of the present inspection site with performance data of the present inspection site to validate the performance data while in proximity to the present inspection site.

15. A method ofclaim 14, further comprising the step of collecting the performance data of the present inspection site using a measuring device associated with the portable reader.

16. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising the step of interpreting with the portable reader the performance data while in proximity to the present inspection site.

17. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising the step of verifying with the portable reader the one or more performance parameters while in proximity to the present inspection site.

18. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising the step of transmitting one or more updated performance parameters from the portable reader to the memory module associated with the present inspection site.

19. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising the step of transmitting one or more updated performance parameters from the portable reader to a remote database.

20. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising the steps of:

associating with one or more inspection sites a target to define a performance data collection point at such inspection site; and

collecting the performance data at the performance data collection point associated with the present inspection site.

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. A portable apparatus for monitoring a pipeline network having plural inspection sites, the portable apparatus comprising:

a measuring device operable to collect performance data of one or more inspection sites; and

a reader associated with the measuring device, the reader operable to receive one or more historical performance parameters associated with such inspection site, wherein the reader is configured to compare the one or more historical performance parameters associated with such inspection site with the performance data of such inspection site to validate the performance data while in proximity to the associated inspection site.

24. The apparatus ofclaim 23, wherein the measuring device is an ultrasound device.

25. The apparatus ofclaim 23, wherein the reader is configured to read a memory module storing the one or more historical performance parameters associated with such inspection site.

26. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

Images