Atmos Rupture Detector
Atmos Rupture Detector
A rupture detection module that alarms with 100% certainty,
providing the confidence to quickly shut-down a pipeline in
the event of a rupture
The challenge Events such as instrument failure or a hydraulic
anomaly can cause a false alarm. The operator
A rupture is a split in a pipeline that requires an
has little time to confirm a leak before acting to
immediate shut down. The devastation caused by
shut down the pipeline.
pipeline ruptures can be extensive and expensive:
A pipeline shut down is expensive. It loses
• Loss of life revenue. The emergency response costs are
• Damage to the environment extremely high. To maintain operator confidence,
the rupture module can never issue a false alarm
• Clean-up costs
or fail to alarm when a rupture occurs.
• Fines
A rupture detection module should:
Conventional leak detection methods search for
small leaks as well as ruptures. Rupture detection • Not false alarm during any pipeline operations
is a backup to the existing SCADA system that is • Detect ruptures quickly
designed to stop pumping should a pipeline rupture
• Detect every rupture, irrespective of its
occur. The operator could try to restart the pipeline
location on the pipeline
believing that the pump has just tripped, spilling
more product through the ruptured pipeline. • Alarm even when the rupture trips a pump
A rupture alarm should be treated differently
to a leak alarm
API 1175 states that potential leaks requiring
immediate shutdown are ‘rupture alarms or
rupture indications (for example if a unit trips at
stations due to low pressure)’.
A leak detection system is designed to detect
the smallest leak in the shortest amount of time.
Rupture detection is designed to detect the unique
signature that occurs with a high volume, or high
rate of product release.
Rupture detection should alarm with 100%
certainty, allowing the operator to confidently shut
down the pipeline immediately minimizing damage.
Why Atmos Rupture Detector is 100%
reliable
The rupture module is designed to make the final
decision on the occurrence of a pipeline rupture.
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Atmos Rupture Detector has three separate algorithms to guarantee rupture detection with 100%
reliability. A rupture occurrence not covered by one algorithm is certain to be detected by another of the
three algorithms.
• Detects near pump stations • Detects on pipelines that can • Dynamic model analysis (DMA)
where the product is easier go slack - what comes out is pattern recognition can detect
to pump less than what goes in ruptures on all areas of a pipeline
Scenario Low KL Inventory DMA
1. Leak at inlet, no trip, horizontal, well packed P P P
2. Leak at inlet, trip, horizontal, well packed P O P
3. Leak at middle, no trip, horizontal, well packed O P P
4. Leak at outlet, no trip, horizontal, well packed O P P
5. Leak at inlet, no trip, large elevation, well packed P P P
6. Leak at inlet, trip, large elevation, well packed P O P
7. Leak at middle, no trip, large elevation, well packed O P P
8. Leak at end, no trip, large elevation, well packed O P P
9. Leak at inlet, no trip, large elevation, slack P P O
10. Leak at inlet, trip, large elevation, slack P O O
11. Leak at middle, no trip, large elevation, slack O P O
12. Leak at end, no trip, large elevation, slack O P O
13. Horizontal, slack P P O
14. Multiple slack start P P O
Figure 1 shows a rupture at the start of the pipeline with no pump trip (scenario 9). The pipeline has
a wide variation in the elevation profile, and there is the possibility of slack conditions. The rupture is
detected by the ‘Inventory’ and the ‘Low KL’ algorithms of the rupture module.
Figure 1
In Figure 2, there is a rupture towards the end of the pipeline with no pump trip (scenario 3). The pipeline
is flat and well packed. The rupture would be detected by the ‘DMA’ and the ‘Inventory’ algorithms of the
rupture module.
Figure 2
Atmos Rupture Detector can be installed as an upgrade to an existing Atmos Pipe installation, or as
a standalone option. These options provide greater security, assuring the immediate shutdown of the
pipeline in the event of a rupture alarm.
Atmos Rupture Detector is included as an option in the latest releases of Atmos Pipe and Atmos Wave
Flow leak detection systems.
Atmos Rupture Detector was tested with data from a variety of different pipeline types and with data
from real ruptures that occurred in the past to assure the high level of confidence that every rupture will
be detected.
Atmos International
Email: [email protected]
UK
St Paul’s 781 Wilmslow Road
Manchester M20 2RW
Tel: +44 161 445 8080
Fax: +44 161 434 6979
USA
14607 San Pedro Avenue Suite 290
San Antonio TX 78232 USA
Tel: +1 210 562 3164
Fax: +1 714 520 5326
3100 E. Miraloma Ave Suite 240 D
Anaheim CA 92806
Tel: +1 714 520 5325
Fax: +1 714 520 5326
Latin America S.A.
Edificio Murano
piso 2 oficina 23
147 Radial
200 mts N. de la Cruz Roja
Santa Ana San José
Costa Rica 10901
Tel: +1 (714) 783-3962
People’s Republic of China
705 RuiChen International Center
No13 Nongzhanguan South Road
Chaoyang District Beijing 100027
Tel: +86 10 65033031- 808
Fax: +86 10 65033085
Russian Federation
Office 1012, 1013
Marshal Rybalko St. 2
Moscow 123060
Tel: +7 499 918 4140
© 2016 Copyright Atmos International (Atmos). All rights reserved.
All information is subject to change. Please speak to an Atmos representative for the most up to date specifications and costs. POEN_RUPT_06/16
About Atmos International
Atmos International (Atmos) provides pipeline leak detection and simulation technology to the oil, gas, water and associated
industries. The company was founded in 1995 in the UK by the inventor of the statistical pipeline leak detection system – Atmos Pipe,
now one of a suite of leak and theft detection solutions from Atmos. These technologies are implemented on hundreds of pipelines
in over 50 countries, including major oil and gas companies such as Shell, BP, ExxonMobil, and Total. With associated offices in the
USA, China, Russia, Singapore and Costa Rica, and local agents in 28 countries, the multi-cultural and multilingual team can provide
effective support all over the world.
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