{"id":20894,"date":"2022-10-27T00:11:13","date_gmt":"2022-10-27T00:11:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peymantaeidi.net\/stem-cell\/?p=20894"},"modified":"2022-10-27T00:39:06","modified_gmt":"2022-10-27T00:39:06","slug":"alberta-nanotech-company-uses-intelligent-paint-to-detect-pipeline-leaks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/peymantaeidi.net\/stem-cell\/2022\/10\/27\/alberta-nanotech-company-uses-intelligent-paint-to-detect-pipeline-leaks\/","title":{"rendered":"Alberta nanotech company uses \u2018intelligent paint\u2019 to detect pipeline leaks"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

There are over 450,000 kilometres of pipeline running through Alberta.<\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/p>\n

Oil and gas companies use a variety of technologies to detect leaks, but most are meant to target major large-scale incidents.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re only really good at detecting really large leaks,\u201d said Direct-C CEO Adrian Banica. \u201cIf you have a major production disruption, it will detect that but it will not detect the small seeps that, over time and at critical locations, can lead to a lot of damage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\tRead more: <\/strong><\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t100,000 litres of \u2018sour emulsion\u2019 spilled from northern Alberta pipeline leak\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Direct-C is an Alberta company using nanotechnology to not only detect leaks, but small seepages in oil and gas lines.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe take various proprietary polymers and we mix nanoparticles within it to create an intelligent paint system that, once we apply it to a surface, we can use that paint to detect what\u2019s happening with that surface.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The nanoparticles are used to create what the company calls an \u201cintelligent paint,\u201d designed to react only to liquid hydrocarbons like natural gas.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s then sprayed onto a substrate and attached to circuits, before being divided into one-inch wide sensing tape, up to 100 metres long. That tape is then attached to pipelines, where it can monitor and detect the smallest of leaks.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Click
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2:06
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPipeline \u2018anomalies\u2019 detected night before leak into North Saskatchewan River<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Direct-C has uptake globally, including, it said, among half of the Pathways<\/p>\n

Alliance members, Canada\u2019s leading oil and gas producers.<\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\tWatch: <\/strong><\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tPolitics and Pipelines: Canada\u2019s energy dilemma\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Of course, it\u2019s not just fancy paint at work on pipeline integrity. Companies are expanding their leak-detection systems to include drone, acoustic and anti-corrosions technologies.<\/p>\n

\n

Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The Alberta Energy Regulator said, as part of a statement: \u201c[We] are interested in the potential of any new development of reliable and innovative technologies to further improve pipeline performance and reduce risks to the public and environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the AER\u2019s Pipeline Performance Report<\/a>, \u201cin 2021, there were about 41 per cent fewer incidents than in 2012, even though the total pipeline kilometres grew by nine per cent in the same period.\u201d<\/p>\n

More information about the Alberta\u2019s current standards and requirements for pipeline integrity can be found in the AER\u2019s Directive 077 : Pipelines \u2014 Requirements and Reference Tools<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Click
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1:31
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDrone footage puts the spotlight on Keystone oil pipeline spill<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n