Oil Review Middle East caught up with Michael Monica, director sales, marketing and customer care, GPT Industries at ADIPEC, where the company was showcasing its Iso-Smart remote monitoring solution for pipelines
Iso-Smart, which GPT is currently introducing to the Middle East, is an all-in-one solution for checking Cathodic Protection (on and instant off potentials), Isolation, Bond currents, AC vs. DC on the line, and more from remote locations. The device can be mounted on the pole at any current test station along a pipeline, and incorporates True RMS technology to provide reliable real-time data, helping pipeline owners make informed decisions, address any issues or anomalies before they become critical and comply with pipeline integrity regulations. Combining GPT Industries’ decades of corrosion prevention expertise with the latest remote monitoring technology, it sets a new standard for a versatile, user-friendly remote asset integrity monitoring.
Unique characteristics
“The unique characteristic of this device it that it doesn’t require someone to take measurements physically at the test station, this device will do it remotely,” underlines Monica. “It can gather data and provide instant readings on demand, so the user can see what the condition of their pipeline is anywhere where there's an electrical lead or test station.”
Monica explains that as such, it not only provides significant savings in time and cost but in particular addresses the critical issue of safety, as it eliminates the need for physical inspections which may require crossing property lines or accessing remote or inaccessible locations, particularly valuable in the vast and often harsh terrains of the Middle East.
“The original remote monitors were used on rectifiers, where they can turn the rectifier on and off. This device goes to the next level; you can turn the unit on and off remotely, and actually test the current on your pipeline on demand. If you've got critical bonds on the pipeline, you can monitor the critical bonds. You can also directly measure current on the pipeline, across bonds or isolation joints as opposed to calculating prone potentials across a shunt. So it's a really nice diagnostic tool to determine that you have adequate protection against corrosion.”
He adds that the other unique thing about the device is that it addresses the issue of AC interference on the pipeline, a significant concern for the industry today.
“If pipelines are running through a corridor where you've got overhead power lines, those overhead power lines can put AC current onto the pipeline, and depending upon the amount or the density of the AC current, if it reaches a certain threshold or level, it will significantly increase the potential for corrosion. This device can tell you what your AC density is, so you can put mitigation measures in place to make sure that that you don't have a critical amount on your pipeline.”
Middle East interest
While Iso-Smart is only now being introduced to the Middle East, it has already attracted a lot of interest from operators in the region, given that pipeline integrity and corrosion protection are key concerns.
“Operators are cathodically protecting their pipelines, but they want to be able to determine the status of the current on their pipelines and identify where they have issues with AC current, because it adversely affects their DC current.”
Turning to future plans, Monica says that the company is developing a next-gen compact version of the Iso-Smart that will be able to be fixed inside the test station, thus addressing any issues with potential tampering.
https://oilreviewmiddleeast.com/technical-focus/gpt-industries-launches-iso-smart-for-monitoring
GPT Industries introduces Iso-Smart solution to Middle East market
Michael Monica demonstrating the Iso-Smart remote monitoring solution. (Image source: Alain Charles Publishing)
