Wireless technology can provide monitoring and protection in remote locations.
In recent years, wireless has become more accepted as a reputable option for industrial applications. Long-range wireless communication technology, for example, is an important consideration for monitoring and protecting valuable assets, including critical infrastructure that delivers and manages some of our most important resources—such as gas, oil, water, wastewater and electricity. With a variety of wireless options available, being well-informed and understanding which technologies are best suited for an individual operator’s needs is crucial. While choosing a network provider can be overwhelming, decision makers must thoroughly examine their options and be aware of the latest advancements in remote monitoring.
Today, some wireless I/O technologies are proven to easily interface and integrate into supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. Ideally, when integrated into SCADA, wireless I/O can provide condition-based monitoring. It can also provide SCADA communications for remote controllers and remote operation centers, such as compressor stations. For example, in the oil and gas industry, I/O radios can coordinate multiple compressors while also monitoring to provide an understanding of the health of its network on a real-time basis.
Effective Cathodic Protection
Remote Monitoring
Wireless I/O can also be used to protect critical pipeline infrastructure against corrosion. Corroded pipelines can lead to costly and even catastrophic events. We hear about these incidents on the news—pipeline explosions and huge sink holes that are the result of water main breaks. More effort has gone into methods for stopping these events before they occur. Many viable options are on the market today that can monitor the critical infrastructure, especially in the wireless realm. In certain applications, however, long-range wireless I/O radios may be an ideal fit.
When using the right technologies, automated cathodic protection remote monitoring can help overcome the natural corrosion process. For pipeline operators to ensure that their method of cathodic protection remote monitoring is adequate for the task, monitoring the rectifier is critical—it must be functioning properly and using the right amount of voltage to prevent corrosion.
The amount of current must also be measured. Monitoring current can provide operators with a glimpse of the pipe’s health. A rectifier might be generating a high voltage of energy, and that current must also be forced into the pipe. A large current signifies that the rectifier has to work harder to protect the pipe. A small current could mean that corrosion has built up and progressed. Because of wireless I/O’s ease of use with SCADA systems, it allows for simultaneous communication between the remote compressor stations and remote monitoring stations. Instead of having multiple networks with multiple communication standards, it allows the operator to have one device that provides long-range communications.
Additionally, wireless I/O can be used as a “relay.” Sometimes, turning a rectifier on and off is necessary to understand the steady-state of the pipeline without protection. For this to happen, a high-powered relay is needed. Wireless I/O can be used as the relay to turn the rectifier on and off. This helps end users understand the actual health of the pipeline without protection at different times.
I/O Expansion
When considering wireless I/O for cathodic protection remote monitoring, understanding how I/O expansion might be an optimal choice is also important. An I/O expansion module offers a scalable solution to meet the demands of an operator’s automation requirements. It can be stacked on an applicable I/O radio or can serve as expandable remote I/O modules through a serial connection. Some pipelines run closely or parallel to each other. By synchronizing cathodic protection mechanisms and timing for all the pipeline measurements, an operator can effectively protect and manage locations in which multiple pipelines run in close proximity.
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| I/O expanion module |
If multiple pipelines are near each other and two to three of them are protected with rectifiers, each will have its own current going through the soil. Due to the proximity of the currents, they can interfere with pipe-to-soil readings. For example, to obtain a true measurement of an individual pipeline, its rectifier must be turned off. If the rectifiers for nearby pipelines are turned on during the measurement, the data could reveal a false positive indicating that the pipeline is protected. The reality, however, could be that the monitoring device was picking up the current from a different pipeline, and the pipeline in question could be worse than the measurement indicates.
To avoid this interference during monitoring, all other cathodic protection rectifiers in the area must be turned off to get the true reading of the pipeline. I/O expansion can help automate this process. It essentially groups all the controls for multiple pipelines with a single communications link (a radio base), automates those controls through one radio link and gets all the I/O points for multiple rectifier stations through one link (the operator can send additional I/O points to the expansion modules). The result is a single wireless link that can issue commands to a single device, allowing for the rectifiers to turn off and on as scheduled and for accurate data transmission.
A/C Interference
Pipe-to-soil voltage, rectifier voltage and rectifier current are typical measurements in cathodic protection monitoring applications. However, A/C interference voltage is less common and occurs in pipelines that run across long distances and are parallel to power lines. When running parallel to power lines, the pipeline can pick up some of the A/C power coming from the lines. This occurs most often in remote, heavily forested areas and can be dangerous, or even deadly, for the people working near the pipelines.
In a location at which a pipeline is running parallel to a power line, it is critical to have knowledge of the A/C interference voltage before an operator or field technician even touches the pipeline. With wireless I/O radios, A/C interference voltage can be measured and operators can approach a pipeline with a clear reading regarding the amount of A/C voltage.
Choose the Best Wireless I/O for the Application
When implementing wireless I/O for cathodic protection remote monitoring, pipeline operators can extend the reach of the wireless SCADA communications network. This allows for an easy and accurate method of measuring pipeline health. Wireless I/O is just one of many long-range wireless data radio options for cathodic protection remote monitoring. To determine the best choice, operators must evaluate the communication needs of their individual network.
For example, in an installation with many pipelines running close together, I/O expansion might be the best choice because it can schedule rectifier operation in a sequence that allows for accurate readings of pipeline health. By adding additional modules to a radio base, it can process the I/O points for multiple pipelines.
Choosing a wireless provider adds another element to the decision. A reputable provider will offer a variety of wireless network options and will be dedicated to helping operators find the most suitable options for their needs. Some wireless technology is trusted for mission critical applications in government and defense settings.
These same vendors can provide equally reliable technology for cathodic protection remote monitoring and other monitoring and control applications for the critical infrastructure. For an operator who wants an extremely reliable, yet cost effective solution, this type provider might be the best choice.
At the end of the day, the decision makers must determine which technology is best suited for them, but they should be sure that they are aware of all the available options. With proper research and network design, pipeline operators can extend the lives of their pipelines and prevent catastrophic events.
