Autonomous low-cost Wireless Sensor platform for Leakage Detection in Oil and Gas Pipes

Pipelines are one of the most common systems for storing and transporting petroleum products, both liquid and gaseous. Despite the durable structures, leakages can occur for many reasons, causing environmental disasters, energy waste, and, in some cases, human losses. The object of the ESTHISIS project is the development of a low-cost and low-energy wireless sensor system for the immediate detection of leaks in metallic piping systems for the transport of liquid and gaseous petroleum products in a noisy industrial environment. The method to be followed will be based on processing the changes monitored in the spectrum of vibration signals appearing in the pipeline walls due to a leakage effect and will aim at minimal interference in the piping system. It is intended to use low frequencies to detect and characterize leakage to increase the range of sensors and thus to reduce cost. In the current work, the smart sensor system developed for signal acquisition and data analysis is described. The work focuses on the hardware of the system and crucial details that enable the time synchronization of the system. Discussion on the main challenges faced as well as results of integration and lab-scale tests have been also included.