Monitoring of Experimental-Industrial Underground Gas Pipeline Made of Reinforced Polyethylene Pipes

Abstract

The article presents the data of monitoring of a pilot inter-settlement gas pipeline made from reinforced polyethylene pipes. The results of tests of the pipe material at temperatures close to the operating ones are shown. This result emphasizes the need to clarify and harmonize the existing regulatory requirements for use of pipes and polyethylene pipelines operation in cold climate regions. For monitoring special probes were developed and manufactured for study of displacements and temperature field on the underground pipeline. According to the measurements results, it was found that on the whole the temperature distribution at the tube walls essentially differs from the outdoor air temperature, because the pipeline is influenced by the permafrost thickness having a relatively constant temperature. A comparison of data on movements between control points shows an exemplary picture of the underground pipeline behavior. There are small differences between the measurement values of control points, as along the line of the experimental-industrial site the ground is characterized by different levels of soil moisture and relief. The lowest temperature of the walls of the underground pipeline and its greatest vertical displacement are explained by the weather conditions: permanently low ambient temperatures and low snow cover. The automated system for registration of temperature on the underground pipeline walls has shown high efficiency and performance in the conditions of permafrost.