Overview
| Project No. | 897 |
|---|---|
| Contract No. | 693JK32050005CAAP |
| Research Award Recipient | The University of Texas at Arlington Center for Underground Infrastructure Research & Education (CUIRE) 438 Nedderman Hall Box 19308 Arlington, TX 76019 |
| AOR/TTI | Zhongquan Zhou |
| Researcher Contact Info | Suyun Ham, Ph.D. Director, Smart Infrastructure and Testing Laboratory (SITL) Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering The university of Texas at Arlington 433 Nedderman Hall, 416 Yates St, Box 19308, Arlington, TX 76019 phone: 817-272-5217 Email: s.ham@uta.edu Kathleen Smits, Ph.D., P.E. Solomon Professor for Global Development Chair, Civil & Environmental Engineering Department Senior Fellow, Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX 75275 Email: ksmits@smu.edu |
| Project Status | Closed |
|---|---|
| Start Fiscal Year | 2020 (09/01/2020) |
| End Fiscal Year | 2023 (08/31/2023) |
| PHMSA $$ Budgeted | $250,000.00 |
Main Objective
Improve the safety of urban and rural natural gas transportation and distribution systems by accelerating the adoption of an innovative decision-making algorithm for methane detection and quantification of belowground leaks using near real-time data. Our objective is to develop, test and deploy a novel natural gas sensing protocol that provides operators with key critical knowledge on gas behavior over time and to ensure that these protocols are widely applicable and accessible to end users.
Public Abstract
To ensure that a known or potential gas leak situation from an underground pipeline is addressed as safely as possible, there is an urgent need for monitoring and evaluating changes to gas leakage over time. However, this need is wrought with operational challenges related to the quality and quantity of leakage data stemming from a lack of data-driven, real-time control. This is especially relevant for situations where the leak cannot be resolved immediately or in areas of known leakage that require long term monitoring and evaluation. However, if we can better understand gas leakage behavior and environmental conditions over time while simultaneously incorporating this data near real-time into our decision-making, we can more efficiently and safely respond to such leaks and ultimately help prevent the occurrence of catastrophic gas migration incidents. This project will (1) develop an innovative realtime data network and decision-making algorithm for methane detection and quantification of belowground leaks and (2) establish a recommended practice to deploy the gas sensing protocol while simultaneously ensuring that these protocols are widely applicable and accessible to end users. This work will be accomplished by a combined team of the University of Texas at Arlington (a Hispanic Serving Institute), Colorado State University (CSU), state agencies and industry partners to include pipeline operators and service providers. Integral to this research is the exposure of undergraduate and graduate students to pipeline safety, ultimately cultivating new talent in the pipeline industry.
Relevant Files & Links
Final Report
Final Report
Other Files
De-Brief Presentation