Pipeline leak detection and corrosion monitoring based on a novel FBG pipe-fixture sensor

Pipeline leakage and pipeline internal corrosion are two serious threats to pipeline safety operation. In this study, based on the measurement theory of pipeline internal diameter variation and a numerical simulation analysis of existing sensor shortcomings, a novel FBG pipe-fixture sensor is designed and developed to detect pipeline leakage and monitor pipeline internal corrosion simultaneously. A calibration test is conducted, and the test results indicate that the FBG pipe-fixture sensor solves the problem of a large difference between the test values and the theoretical values and eliminates the limitation of measurement range. To validate the actual performance of the sensor, a pipeline leak detection test and a pipeline internal corrosion monitoring test are, respectively, conducted on a steel pipe leak test platform and a steel pipe with different simulated corrosion levels. The test results demonstrate that the FBG pipe-fixture sensor can effectively detect pipe leakage and decrease the localization error of the leakage point to within 1 m. The sensor can also effectively monitor pipe internal corrosion and evaluate the internal corrosion degree with a measurement accuracy of 0.1 mm. The novel FBG pipe-fixture sensor may be a potential sensor for pipeline leak detection and pipeline internal corrosion monitoring.