Acoustic Leak Detection in Marine Pipelines (Buried & Submerged Lines) — ATEX

Detects leaks in buried or submerged pipelines

Acoustic

Quick Overview

Problem

Marine pipelines—buried underground or submerged underwater—are difficult to inspect and monitor continuously. Small leaks often remain undetected until environmental damage, product loss, or regulatory violations occur, especially in ATEX-classified fuel and chemical zones.

Solution

SENSAiO’s ATEX-certified acoustic sensors continuously monitor pipelines for abnormal acoustic signatures associated with leaks, impacts, or structural degradation, enabling early detection without excavation or shutdown.

Value

Early leak detection • Reduced environmental impact • Lower inspection cost • Improved regulatory compliance

ATEX

Zones 0–2 • Ex ia IIC T4 Gb certified acoustic sensors

The Operational Challenge

Marine and port pipeline networks include:

  • Fuel transfer pipelines between terminals and berths
  • Buried pipelines under quays and storage areas
  • Submerged pipelines in ports, rivers, and coastal zones
  • Product lines for hydrocarbons and chemicals

These assets are exposed to:

  • External corrosion and erosion
  • Ground movement and settlement
  • Anchor drag or dropped objects
  • Progressive seal or weld degradation

Traditional leak detection methods rely on:

  • Periodic pressure testing
  • Mass balance analysis
  • Visual inspection or ROV surveys

These methods are intermittent, expensive, and often detect leaks after significant product loss.

Why Acoustic Leak Detection Matters

Fluid leaks generate distinct acoustic emissions as product escapes through defects.

Continuous acoustic monitoring enables operators to:

  • Detect micro-leaks before pressure loss becomes visible
  • Identify sudden rupture or impact events
  • Monitor pipeline integrity continuously
  • Reduce reliance on excavation or ROV inspection

Acoustic detection is particularly effective where visual access is limited or impossible.

SENSAiO Solution

SENSAiO delivers a wireless acoustic leak detection solution designed for marine pipeline monitoring.

Core Components

Acoustic Sensor (ATEX Ex ia IIC T4 Gb)

Wide-frequency acoustic detection optimised for leak noise, structural events, and impact signatures.

Wireless Communication

Supports LoRaWAN, Modbus, and MQTT, enabling integration with port SCADA and pipeline integrity systems.

Installation & Power

Battery-powered clamp-on installation on accessible pipeline sections, valve pits, or risers — no excavation required.

Operational Benefits

  • Early leak detection without excavation
  • Reduced environmental exposure and cleanup cost
  • Faster localisation of anomalies
  • Improved pipeline integrity assurance

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
Leak detection Late Early
Environmental impact Higher Reduced
Inspection cost High Reduced
Response time Slow Immediate

ATEX Compliance and Safety

All acoustic sensors for marine pipeline monitoring comply with:‍

  • Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb (Zones 0–2)
  • IECEx certification
  • ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU

The intrinsically safe design supports safe deployment in fuel and chemical handling areas.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, Modbus RTU/TCP, MQTT, REST API

Systems

Port SCADA, pipeline integrity management, environmental monitoring

Vendors

Honeywell, ABB, Siemens, Emerson

Cybersecurity

AES-128 encrypted communication with secure transport

FAQ - Common Questions

Are Sensa.io sensors compatible with any gateway or network?

Yes, they connect to any LoRaWAN or MQTT infrastructure (Kerlink, Cisco, Milesight, MultiTech, etc.) for flexible integration with existing SCADA systems.

What ATEX certifications apply to Sensa.io devices?

All hazardous-area models are certified Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb and IECEx approved for Zones 0–2.

What is the typical battery life?

Up to 10 years at 15-minute intervals, depending on signal strength and environment.

How are the sensors integrated into existing systems?

Through standard protocols — LoRaWAN, Modbus, MQTT, REST API — no proprietary middleware needed.

How does predictive maintenance reduce OPEX?

Early anomaly detection reduces emergency interventions by 30–40 %, extends equipment life and lowers energy costs.

What does the Sensa.io Valve Position Sensor actually measure?

The device detects real-time valve position states—open, closed, or intermediate—with high accuracy. It continuously sends this information wirelessly to your monitoring dashboard.

Can this sensor detect partial valve movement or stuck valves?

Yes. The sensor identifies irregular patterns such as partial movement, delayed response, or stuck valves, enabling early maintenance before failure occurs.

Is this sensor suitable for manual, motorized, and actuated valves?

Yes. It supports a wide range of valve types including ball, gate, butterfly, actuator-driven, and manual valves.

How fast does it update the valve position?

You can configure the reporting interval—from seconds to minutes—depending on your operational and battery needs.

How long does installation take?

Most installations take under 10 minutes. The sensor mounts using brackets or clamps without modifying existing valves.

Heading

By clicking "Book a technical demo" you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Text Link
Browse other sectors
Explore

Explore Our Sensors

Valve position

The Sensa iO Valve Position Sensor provides real-time open/close feedback for manual and automated valves in oil & gas, chemical, and hydrogen operations.

Pressure

A rugged, industrial-grade pressure sensor designed for high-demand oil & gas applications. Provides continuous gas and liquid pressure monitoring, with ATEX intrinsic safety, IP67 housing, and LoRaWAN® connectivity.

Temperature

Sensa iO’s temperature sensor delivers precise temperature data for process lines, steam systems, heat exchangers, and storage assets.

Differential Pressure (ΔP)

A compact DP solution using dual synchronized pressure inputs to deliver accurate differential pressure data for filters, heat exchangers, separators, and manifolds.

Vibration

A high-resolution vibration sensor built for predictive maintenance of pumps, motors, compressors, and rotating equipment.

Acoustic

The Sensa iO acoustic sensor identifies ultrasonic leak signatures, gas escape, steam trap failures, and flare noise anomalies.

Trusted by a Worldwide Network

With partners in over 20 countries, Sensa IO delivers rugged sensor solutions to the toughest environments — everywhere.