Submerged or Buried Pipeline Acoustic Leak Monitoring

Faster anomaly investigation and event correlation

Acoustic

Quick Overview

Problem

Leaks in submerged or buried pipelines are difficult to detect due to inaccessibility and lack of continuous monitoring.

Solution

SENSAiO acoustic sensors monitor sound signatures associated with fluid escaping from pipelines.

Value

Improved detection of abnormal acoustic events that may indicate leakage or structural anomalies.

ATEX

Suitable for hazardous areas where flammable fuels are transported, with ATEX / IECEx compliant configurations.

The Operational Challenge

Submerged or buried pipelines are widely used in marine and port infrastructure to transport:

  • Fuels
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Process fluids

These pipelines are often:

  • Installed underground or underwater
  • Exposed to environmental stress
  • Difficult to access for inspection

From a physical perspective:

  • A leak creates a pressure differential between inside and outside the pipeline
  • Fluid escaping through a defect generates turbulence
  • This turbulent flow produces acoustic emissions that propagate through the pipe wall and surrounding medium

Typical causes of leaks include:

  • Corrosion or material degradation
  • Mechanical damage (impact, earth movement, anchor drag)
  • Joint or weld failure
  • age-related fatigue

Detection challenges include:

  • Limited access for visual inspection
  • Infrequent manual checks
  • Attenuation of signals in soil or water
  • Difficulty detecting small or developing leaks

As a result, leaks may persist before being identified.

Why Acoustic Monitoring Matters

Acoustic monitoring captures sound generated by physical phenomena such as fluid escape.

By continuously monitoring acoustic signals:

  • Abnormal sound patterns can be detected
  • Events inconsistent with normal operation can be identified
  • Changes over time can be tracked

Typical interpretations include:

  • High-frequency acoustic events may indicate leakage turbulence
  • Sudden acoustic appearance may correlate with a new defect
  • Changes in baseline noise may indicate evolving conditions

Acoustic data reflects mechanical and fluid dynamic behavior within and around the pipeline.

SENSAiO Solution

SENSAiO deploys wireless acoustic sensors installed on:

  • Accessible pipeline نقاط
  • Above-ground connection points
  • Valve stations or terminations

Sensors detect acoustic emissions and transmit data via LoRaWAN to a centralized monitoring platform.

The system provides:

  • Continuous acoustic monitoring
  • Detection of abnormal sound signatures
  • Alerts on unusual acoustic events

It is important to clarify that:

  • SENSAiO is a monitoring-only system
  • It does not locate leaks with precision
  • It does not repair or isolate pipeline sections
  • It does not replace dedicated leak detection or safety systems

The system supports early indication and investigation.

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
Leak detection capability Periodic / reactive Continuous acoustic monitoring
Detection of small leaks Limited Improved indication capability
Infrastructure visibility Low Enhanced through real-time data
Maintenance response Delayed Earlier investigation trigger

ATEX Compliance and Safety

Fuel pipelines in marine environments may operate in hazardous zones. SENSAiO sensors:

  • Are available with ATEX / IECEx certification
  • Are suitable for explosive atmospheres
  • Are designed for industrial marine environments

All equipment is delivered with appropriate certification documentation.

SENSAiO systems are not safety systems and do not replace leak detection systems, shutdown systems, or regulatory protections.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, MQTT, REST API

Gateways

Compatible with standard LoRaWAN gateways (Kerlink, Multitech, Cisco, etc.)

Systems

Integration with port monitoring and asset management systems

Deployment

Suitable for retrofit on existing submerged or buried pipelines (via accessible points)

FAQ - Common Questions

Are Sensa.io sensors compatible with any gateway or network?

Yes, they connect to any LoRaWAN or MQTT infrastructure (Kerlink, Cisco, Milesight, MultiTech, etc.) for flexible integration with existing SCADA systems.

What ATEX certifications apply to Sensa.io devices?

All hazardous-area models are certified Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb and IECEx approved for Zones 0–2.

What is the typical battery life?

Up to 10 years at 15-minute intervals, depending on signal strength and environment.

How are the sensors integrated into existing systems?

Through standard protocols — LoRaWAN, Modbus, MQTT, REST API — no proprietary middleware needed.

How does predictive maintenance reduce OPEX?

Early anomaly detection reduces emergency interventions by 30–40 %, extends equipment life and lowers energy costs.

What does the Sensa.io Valve Position Sensor actually measure?

The device detects real-time valve position states—open, closed, or intermediate—with high accuracy. It continuously sends this information wirelessly to your monitoring dashboard.

Can this sensor detect partial valve movement or stuck valves?

Yes. The sensor identifies irregular patterns such as partial movement, delayed response, or stuck valves, enabling early maintenance before failure occurs.

Is this sensor suitable for manual, motorized, and actuated valves?

Yes. It supports a wide range of valve types including ball, gate, butterfly, actuator-driven, and manual valves.

How fast does it update the valve position?

You can configure the reporting interval—from seconds to minutes—depending on your operational and battery needs.

How long does installation take?

Most installations take under 10 minutes. The sensor mounts using brackets or clamps without modifying existing valves.

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