Remote monitoring and intelligent controls of cathodic protection system of gas transmission pipelines

Abstract

This project involves development of a remote monitoring and intelligent control (RMIC) of Cathodic Protection (CP) system of high pressure gas transmission pipelines operated by Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL).

The objective of the project was to design, develop, installation and testing of a remote monitoring and intelligent control system for CP. It would collect, transmit and interpret potential data coming from CP Stations along the pipeline in order to have a continuous monitoring and assessment of the system. In GTCL, traditional manual periodic monitoring system does not allow systematic continuous quality assessment of the pipelines; neither has it allowed real time reports. In addition, field inspections are costly, time consuming and required qualified personnel. The RMIC was developed integrating hardware, software and standard communication technology. This system is able to collect potential data from the CP station and transfer the data to the server. The software can interpret and analyze the data and also control the system remotely. CP station’s voltage, current, and Drain point PSP (Pipe to Soil Potential) was collected and controlled using this system. The RMIC system was installed and tested at a CP station namely Dhanua of Dhanua-Savar Pipeline. For greater improvement and financial benefit this system should be introduced gradually at other CP Stations of the GTCL transmission pipeline grid.