The technology of DAS exists. Its out there now in constant use by Kinder Morgan and other pipeline companies. They know where all their PIGS are stuck; locations of backhoe operators; they even know the differences of approaching threats whether its a dump truck, a car or a person. Their facilities, infrastructures and pipelines are protected 24/7 with fibre optic with an accuracy within ten metres.
The Engineers at Mount Polley Tailings Pond had no idea that the bottom of their dam was about to dissolve. Their 'sophisticated' meters? 42 out of 90 were out of commission.
Should the technology of DAS be applied to every Tailings pond in British Columbia?
Answer: BC Hydro Mica and W.A.C. Reservoir, but not Mount Polley
Using DAS equipment, fibre optic cables
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In recent years, innovative technologies for pipeline surveillance against third-party damage or intrusion have become increasingly available. With advances in miniaturized sensors, standardized data processing and reliable communications, oil and gas companies now have access to robust tools for the monitoring of extended and complex pipeline systems.
One of the most effective solutions for pipeline monitoring involves a technique known as Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), which can convert a fiber optic cable into a listening device. A DAS system is designed to prevent pipeline damage from occurring in the first place by providing advance warning of the events leading up to an incident.
Attaching DAS equipment to one end of a standard fiber optic cable, such as those used for telecommunication, creates an acoustic array of virtual microphones every 10 meters along the fiber. Using sonar-processing techniques, the sounds received from the virtual microphones are analyzed and converted into a simple graphical display showing the operator what is happening along individual lengths of the fiber.
For example, the sensor system can detect the difference between mechanical digging and a person walking. It can also pick up the sound of leaks from gas pipelines.
DAS systems are comprised of two key elements: an optical interrogator unit and an acoustical processing unit. The interrogator unit sends a pulse of light down the fiber optic line with most of the light reaching the other end. However, a small percentage of light returns to the source — this effect is called “backscatter.”
Sound or vibration near the fiber changes the backscattered light, and these changes are analyzed by the interrogator unit to re-create the sound or vibration that caused them. The sounds are sent to the acoustical processing unit, which analyzes the sounds using sonar processing algorithms to create specific alarms for a given event or sequence of events.
The passive nature and inherent long-term reliability of fiber optics, together with the ability to string together thousands of individual sensing elements in individual optical fibers, make DAS a compelling technology for meeting demanding pipeline monitoring and security requirements.
The most advanced DAS-based solutions are designed to perform acoustic sensing for pipeline condition monitoring and leak detection on the same strand of fiber, making them ideal for retrofit projects with existing cable installations. These systems can also cover up to 60 miles of cable between power and network connections.
Sources:
Pipeline Security and Monitoring
OptaSense works by sending a pulse of light down the fibre optic line from an IU.
Google Seach Criteria OptaSense
Google Search Criteria OptaSense Kinder Morgan
Google Search Criteria OptaSense NEB
Google Search Criteria OptaSense NEB DAS
Google Search Criteria DAS optic cable tailings ponds
Google Search Criteria Distributed fiber optic sensors for dams
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Oct 5, 2014 - Optical cables are now a standard installation in all new tailings .... the scope of the monitoring of dikes, dams, and tailing ponds, and move.
The Engineers at Mount Polley Tailings Pond had no idea that the bottom of their dam was about to dissolve. Their 'sophisticated' meters? 42 out of 90 were out of commission.
Should the technology of DAS be applied to every Tailings pond in British Columbia?
Answer: BC Hydro Mica and W.A.C. Reservoir, but not Mount Polley
DAS Distributed Acoustic Sensing
Using DAS equipment, fibre optic cables
Latest Pipeline Monitoring Solution
In recent years, innovative technologies for pipeline surveillance against third-party damage or intrusion have become increasingly available. With advances in miniaturized sensors, standardized data processing and reliable communications, oil and gas companies now have access to robust tools for the monitoring of extended and complex pipeline systems.
One of the most effective solutions for pipeline monitoring involves a technique known as Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), which can convert a fiber optic cable into a listening device. A DAS system is designed to prevent pipeline damage from occurring in the first place by providing advance warning of the events leading up to an incident.
Attaching DAS equipment to one end of a standard fiber optic cable, such as those used for telecommunication, creates an acoustic array of virtual microphones every 10 meters along the fiber. Using sonar-processing techniques, the sounds received from the virtual microphones are analyzed and converted into a simple graphical display showing the operator what is happening along individual lengths of the fiber.
For example, the sensor system can detect the difference between mechanical digging and a person walking. It can also pick up the sound of leaks from gas pipelines.
DAS systems are comprised of two key elements: an optical interrogator unit and an acoustical processing unit. The interrogator unit sends a pulse of light down the fiber optic line with most of the light reaching the other end. However, a small percentage of light returns to the source — this effect is called “backscatter.”
Sound or vibration near the fiber changes the backscattered light, and these changes are analyzed by the interrogator unit to re-create the sound or vibration that caused them. The sounds are sent to the acoustical processing unit, which analyzes the sounds using sonar processing algorithms to create specific alarms for a given event or sequence of events.
The passive nature and inherent long-term reliability of fiber optics, together with the ability to string together thousands of individual sensing elements in individual optical fibers, make DAS a compelling technology for meeting demanding pipeline monitoring and security requirements.
The most advanced DAS-based solutions are designed to perform acoustic sensing for pipeline condition monitoring and leak detection on the same strand of fiber, making them ideal for retrofit projects with existing cable installations. These systems can also cover up to 60 miles of cable between power and network connections.
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| Loss Control Network Newsletter Page 18 |
Pipeline Security and Monitoring
OptaSense works by sending a pulse of light down the fibre optic line from an IU.
Google Seach Criteria OptaSense
Google Search Criteria OptaSense Kinder Morgan
Google Search Criteria OptaSense NEB
Google Search Criteria OptaSense NEB DAS
Google Search Criteria DAS optic cable tailings ponds
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Google Search Criteria Distributed fiber optic sensors for dams
DISTRIBUTED FIBER OPTIC SENSORS FOR DAMS AND ...
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