In fields such as industrial production, urban water supply, and oil and gas transportation, pipelines serve as important transportation carriers, and their precise monitoring of operational status directly affects production efficiency and safety. As the "sensing nerve" for pipeline measurement, sensors have become the core equipment for ensuring stable pipeline operation due to their high precision and real-time advantages. They play an irreplaceable role in measuring key parameters such as flow rate, pressure, temperature, and liquid level.
Flow measurement is one of the core requirements for pipeline operation monitoring, and electromagnetic flow meters and ultrasonic flow meters are currently the two most widely used types of sensors. Electromagnetic flowmeter utilizes the principle of electromagnetic induction to accurately calculate the medium flow rate by measuring the induced electromotive force generated by the flow of conductive liquid in a magnetic field. It is not affected by parameters such as fluid density and viscosity, and is widely used in urban water supply and sewage treatment pipelines. It can monitor the efficiency of water resource transportation in real time, avoiding pipeline overload or resource waste caused by abnormal flow. Ultrasonic flow meters calculate flow rates based on the time difference of sound wave propagation in fluids by emitting and receiving ultrasonic signals. They are suitable for corrosive pipeline scenarios such as oil and gas, chemical engineering, etc. Their non-contact measurement method does not require damage to pipeline structures, effectively reducing maintenance costs and safety risks.
Pressure monitoring is a key link in preventing pipeline leaks and explosions. Pressure sensors provide data support for pipeline safety warning by sensing changes in the pressure of the medium inside the pipeline. In long-distance oil and gas pipelines, piezoelectric pressure sensors can capture pressure fluctuations in real time. When there is a small leak in the pipeline due to corrosion or third-party damage, the sensor can quickly transmit abnormal pressure signals to the control system. The staff can locate the leak point through data analysis to avoid the expansion of accidents. In urban gas pipelines, diffusion silicon pressure sensors can adapt to complex working environments, monitor pipeline pressure stably for a long time, ensure stable gas pressure for residents, and prevent safety accidents caused by high pressure.
Temperature and liquid level sensors also play an important role in pipeline measurement. Temperature sensors sense the temperature of the medium through components such as thermocouples and thermal resistors. In chemical pipelines, they can monitor the temperature changes of the reaction medium in real time, avoiding the impact of high or low temperature on product quality and even causing pipeline explosions; In heating pipelines, temperature sensors can accurately control the temperature of hot water, achieving energy conservation and emission reduction. Liquid level sensors are commonly used at the junction of storage tanks and pipelines to measure the height of the medium liquid level through technologies such as ultrasound and radar. In crude oil storage tank pipelines, real-time monitoring of liquid level changes can be achieved to avoid overflow caused by high liquid levels or transmission efficiency affected by low liquid levels.
With the continuous development of industrial intelligence, the application of sensors in pipeline measurement will become more extensive and in-depth. From single parameter measurement to multi parameter collaborative monitoring, from local data collection to remote intelligent analysis, sensors are driving pipeline measurement technology towards more accurate, efficient, and safe directions, safeguarding the stable operation of various industries.