Millennium Projects
Technical Details
Millennium Project Number: M-2008-007
Project Title: Leak Detection System Using PFT Analysis
Project Start Date: 2008
Projected End Date: 2010
Technical Details:
The primary objective of this is to increase the efficiency of locating difficult to find underground pipeline leaks by introducing a tracer material into the natural gas stream. To accomplish this, BNL Laboratories is developing a new instrument for measuring Perfluorocarbon Tracer (PFT) compounds that are introduced into a pipeline upstream of a leak area and later detected at or near leak locations. The instrument must be relatively simple to operate, portable, have a short response time, and have the potential to be manufactured commercially. The PFT materials acts as a tracer that can be detected by a gas analyzer through a series of barholes made over the leaking pipeline. This program will result in a prototype instrument that can measure extremely small quantities of PFTs in parts per billion.