Methodological approach for ranking of different blockage detection techniques for pipeline

Abstract

A pipeline system is an indispensable element of present civilization, being employed for the deliverance of various fluid substances. However, during the transportation of fluid, blockage is an important fault in a pipeline, which should be detected as early as possible, not only for uninterrupted operation but also for financial, social and environmental reason. Researchers applied different blockage detection techniques which are useful for various fluids in a pipeline having different lengths and for various layout patterns depending on various operating conditions. In order to determine the suitability of the blockage detection method in a pipeline, a comparison followed by ranking is done among all blockage detection methods based on their different applicability criterion. For the sake of comparison and ranking between these methods, this article gives a concise idea for engineers to use a multi-criteria decision-making matrix, based on analytic hierarchy process and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution method, which is very convenient and reliable. Finally, it is found that radioisotope technology has first rank when it is applicable for straight, long length pipelines and handled all types of fluid having high, medium and low density.