HydraSENS®

HydraSENS®

Advanced Early Detection and Reliable Location of Hydrate Formation in Pipelines

What is HydraSENS®?

HydraSENS® is an innovative, cutting-edge device developed by Hydrafact, built on more than 33 years of extensive hydrate study experience. It is specifically designed to revolutionize the detection and management of hydrate formation within pipelines. Hydrate formation, while primarily occurring in the aqueous phase, can significantly impact the gas phase, leading to disruptions in hydrocarbon flow, costly blockages, and operational inefficiencies. The presence of hydrates can trap substantial volumes of gas—often ranging from 150 to 182 volumes of gas per volume of water—making early detection critical to preventing severe issues.

Why use HydraSENS®?

HydraSENS® is a cutting-edge tool designed to prevent and manage hydrate formation in pipelines, offering early detection, precise location tracking, and real-time monitoring. Backed by over 33 years of hydrate research, it detects early signs of hydrate formation in the gas phase, ensuring timely intervention and minimizing costly blockages. Its advanced features, including comprehensive blockage assessment and precise location identification, make it indispensable for maintaining smooth pipeline operations, reducing inhibitor use, and optimizing performance. HydraSENS® is a reliable, efficient solution for ensuring pipeline flow assurance and preventing hydrate-related issues.

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Watch Professor Bahman Tohidi Explain HydraSENS Capabilities

Key Features and Capabilities

Impact on the Gas Phase

Drawing on over three decades of expertise in hydrate research, we understand the profound impact that hydrates, though forming mainly in the aqueous phase, have on the gas phase within pipelines. Different gases exhibit varying affinities for hydrate formation, leading to a composition within the hydrate structure that differs from the surrounding hydrocarbon phases. The gas phase, being the fastest-moving component within a pipeline, offers a unique and early opportunity to detect the onset of hydrate formation. HydraSENS® excels at identifying these early signs by detecting minute changes in the gas phase, leveraging our deep understanding of gas behaviour to provide timely intervention before severe blockages occur.

Precise Location Tracking

A standout feature of HydraSENS®, informed by over 33 years of hydrate research, is its ability to determine the exact location of hydrate formation within the pipeline. This is achieved by calculating the slip velocity between the gas and aqueous phases. Knowing the precise location enables targeted actions, such as inhibitor injection or depressurization, to prevent the escalation of hydrate-related issues. This precise location tracking is essential for effective pipeline management and timely intervention.

Real-Time Monitoring and Analysis

HydraSENS® provides real-time monitoring and analysis of hydrate formation and dissociation. This capability is crucial for addressing the significant volumes of gas trapped in hydrates, ensuring timely and effective responses to potential blockages. The device's ability to monitor and analyze hydrate-related issues in real-time, honed through years of dedicated research, makes it an indispensable tool for ensuring the safety and efficiency of pipeline operations.

Early Hydrate Detection

HydraSENS® is highly effective in early detection, capitalizing on the significant volumes of gas that can be trapped within hydrates. Our decades of experience have shown that early detection is crucial because it allows for timely intervention, preventing severe blockages and operational disruptions. By integrating with advanced HydraFLASH® software, HydraSENS® becomes a highly reliable Early Hydrate Detection and Warning System, offering precise monitoring and timely alerts.

Comprehensive Blockage Assessment

In addition to detecting hydrate formation, HydraSENS® can reliably assess whether a pipeline blockage is hydrate-related or not. If hydrates are present, the device can monitor the melting process and provide valuable insights into whether dissociation is occurring and if it’s complete. This capability is particularly important in scenarios involving slow dissociation when using Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitors (KHI). The integration of HydraSENS® with HydraFLASH® and thermal calculations offers a comprehensive solution for diagnosing and resolving hydrate blockages in pipelines, built on our extensive experience in the field.

And More…

By integrating HydraSENS® with HydraCHEK, HydraFLASH®, Thermal Calculations, and Apparent Viscosity analysis, we ensure that your pipeline remains free from hydrate blockages. This comprehensive approach, developed from our extensive experience, minimizes inhibitor usage, optimizes operational economy, and significantly reduces or eliminates environmental impact.

THE METHOD

The Ultimate Solution for Hydrate Detection and Pipeline Management

HydraCHEK measures two independent physical parameters; the speed of sound and the electrical conductivity to determine two unknown parameters; hydrate inhibitor and salt concentration. The measured speed of sound and electrical conductivity of a sample are input into an artificial neural network correlation that allows both the salt and inhibitor concentration to be determined.

FAQ'S

Get the answers to common questions about HydraCHEK