Development of gprs-based leak detection system for pipe pushing crossing part of nature gas pipeline

There would be a sealed space, called culvert box, between the nature gas pipeline and the concrete pipe when the nature gas pipeline crossing highways, railways and rivers using the trenchless pipe pushing technology. To deal with the problem of leak detection and monitoring for these culvert boxes, which were located in the field and scattered, a GPRS-based (GPRS: general packet radio service) leak detection system was developed. This system included leak detection devices and a server system including database and monitoring software. The detection devices were powered by batteries, and mainly controlled by a DSP (DSP: digital signal processor). The nature gas leakage was detected by methane transducer and pressure transducer, then the detected signal was transferred to system server through GPRS. Through the application in a section of nature gas pipeline, the detection device was proved to have the characteristics of low power, long life and high sensitivity, as well as to perform well in online-monitoring and warning for the culvert boxes of the natural gas pipeline.