Weir-Jones Group

Weir-Jones presents at German Pipeline Conference

VANCOUVER, B.C. (March 17, 2013) – The Weir-Jones Group will demonstrate its expertise in pipeline monitoring technology on March 19 at the 8th Pipeline Technology Conference in Hanover, Germany.

On day two of the three-day event, Weir-Jones representative Colin Cindrich will present a Canadian case study on its Distant Reading Acquisition Module (DRAM), which enables operators to access real-time integrity data providing superior visibility and enabling rapid response to changing conditions.

Cindrich will share the podium with Dr. Daniele Costantini of Micron Optics, its main supplier for optical sensing equipment. The Atlanta, Georgia Company is an established leader of innovative optical components and laser-based equipment.

The case study will be presented during a session entitled ``FBG Optical Sensing for Pipeline Structural Health Monitoring.’’ It will detail how Weir-Jones since 2012 has used fiber optic equipment supplied by Micron Optics to implement a remote health monitoring system on a pipeline in northern Canada. The system monitors the ongoing slope creep and ground movements that cause soil fraction and cause strain on the pipeline, which is owned and operated by a major Canadian utility company.

Topics to be covered by Weir-Jones include system layout, sensor orientation, installation and protection, and cabling and valve house.

“The project uses a fiber optic strain gauging system to gather data from points on the pipeline and collect them to a single point,” says Weir-Jones business development manager Alireza Taale. “The data is then transmitted more than 1,000 kilometers to the Weir-Jones office in Vancouver and reported to the client.”

The Weir-Jones DRAM is the first system of its kind in the world.  It incorporates a unique monitoring technology specifically developed for long-term applications in hostile environments.  It is particularly useful technology in areas where pipelines, pumping stations and hydro towers must be monitored on a full-time, remote basis to predict and prevent breakdowns that can have catastrophic consequences. Base systems and associated strain gauging equipment developed by Weir-Jones have been operating reliably in Canada for more than 10 years.

The 8th Pipeline Technology Conference is the largest pipeline conference in Europe and enables exhibitors to showcase their products and expertise to the global pipeline technology market.  To learn more about the conference, visit:  www.pipeline-conference.com