Transpetro in São Caetano tests oil-in-water detection system
On June 17 of this year, the Transpetro unit in São Caetano carried out simulations in order to test the operation and reliability of the GE-Leakwise oil/hydrocarbons-in-water detector, which uses electromagnetic wave absorption technology at the frequency of microwave. On his visit to Brazil, the Director of GE – Leakwise Division – Jacob Inbar participated in the tests.
The test took place safely, to operators and to the environment. Transpetro mobilized a team protected by PPE, built absorbent material containments and provided a vacuum truck to collect the effluent with residual diesel oil.
The detection system consists of a hydrocarbon detector in water and a valve with an electrical actuator, installed in a well that receives the collection from the drainage system in the tank area. At the exit of the well are the valve and the actuator, which direct the effluent to the Tamanduateí River, if it is free of hydrocarbons, or to the API separator for re-treatment, if it has hydrocarbon contamination.
In principle, the sensor was cleaned and the detector was calibrated on a bench, using a vessel with water and adding diesel oil. The 4-20mA output for the supervisory system was also calibrated.
After verifying its operation on a bench, the detector was reinstalled in the well. Water and diesel oil were then introduced into the pipeline, and this effluent was directed to the well, thus forming, after a certain time, a layer of oil, which was pointed out by the detector.
To improve the system, modifications were indicated in the construction of the well, where the sensor is installed, to better promote oil flotation, and thus be detected more quickly and reliably.
This hydrocarbon detection and monitoring technology has many advantages such as: 0.3mm detection limit with a range of up to 25mm for detection, and can be used for detection in wells, channels, groundwater, rivers, dams and even in marine applications for protection of operation on piers and monobuoys, with special systems with radio, GSM or even satellite communication.