Research & Development World

  • Home Page
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Archeology
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Chemistry
    • COVID-19
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Market Pulse
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
      • Software
    • Semiconductors
  • 2021 R&D 100 Award Winners
    • R&D 100 Awards
    • 2020 Winners
    • Winner Archive
  • Resources
    • Digital Issues
    • Podcasts
    • Subscribe
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Webinars

New technology developed to detect deep sea gas leaks

By R&D Editors | October 12, 2011

A new ultra-sensitive technology which
can monitor leaks from underwater gas pipelines has been developed by
scientists at the University
of Southampton.

The research has shown that potentially
environmentally and financially disastrous gas leaks from pipelines, and
methane naturally leaking from the seabed, could in future be detected using
changes in acoustic signals.

Using a simple set of underwater
microphones to monitor these changes would provide a cost effective, unique
detection system which would be one hundred times more sensitive than current
monitors used by the oil and gas industry for remote detection with long deep
sea pipelines.

“This new technology could save gas
extraction and distribution companies millions in lost revenue. Severe leaks
can also be dangerous to nearby oil rigs, shipping and for shore-based gas
distribution facilities,” comments Professor Tim Leighton of the University’s Institute of Sound and Vibration Research who led the
research.

He adds: “The technology would allow us
remotely to monitor and potentially reduce the release into the atmosphere of
gases from the seabed. This applies both to gas extracted by the petrochemical
industries and to the methane which is naturally released from the seabed.”

Natural leaks of methane gas can be
damaging to the environment because it is a greenhouse pollutant.

The new acoustic technology, which is
in early development, could also be used in future to monitor the structural integrity
of carbon capture and storage facilities which are being developed globally.
These facilities will trap carbon emissions, which scientists believe may be
contributing to global warming. The UK government has just announced it
is investing £1 billion in their development.

SOURCE

Related Articles Read More >

Researchers measure photovoltaic external quantum efficiency to transform the future of solar cells
U.S. DOE grants $25M to advance clean hydrogen technologies for electricity generation 
SOLiTHOR seeds $10.6M to develop a new solid-state battery cell technology
Powering the moon: Sandia researchers design microgrid for future lunar base
2021 R&D Global Funding Forecast

Need R&D World news in a minute?

We Deliver!
R&D World Enewsletters get you caught up on all the mission critical news you need in research and development. Sign up today.
Enews Signup

R&D World Digital Issues

February 2020 issue

Browse the most current issue of R&D World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading R& magazine today.

Research & Development World
  • Subscribe to R&D World Magazine
  • Enews Sign Up
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Drug Discovery & Development
  • Pharmaceutical Processing
  • 2022 Global Funding Forecast

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search R&D World

  • Home Page
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Archeology
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Chemistry
    • COVID-19
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Market Pulse
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
      • Software
    • Semiconductors
  • 2021 R&D 100 Award Winners
    • R&D 100 Awards
    • 2020 Winners
    • Winner Archive
  • Resources
    • Digital Issues
    • Podcasts
    • Subscribe
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Webinars