Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for implementing a method for detecting a deposit (D) that might form inside a fluid transport pipe (2). According to the invention, the installation comprises: at least one production source (3) for producing a thermal gradient, the source being for mounting on an “active” zone (Za) of the outside surface of the pipe; at least one measurement sensor (7) for measuring heat flux, the sensor being for mounting on a zone (Zm) of the outside surface of the pipe situated relative to the active zone at a given distance in consideration of the length of the pipe; and control and monitoring means (5) connected to the production source (3) and to the measurement sensor (7), and adapted to detect when the heat flux corresponding at least in part to the applied thermal gradient and transmitted by the pipe exceeds a determined threshold indicative of the presence of a deposit inside the pipe.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 27, 2000
Date of Patent:
May 3, 2005
Assignees:
01 dB Metravib, Institut Francais du Petrole
Inventors:
Thierry Romanet, Jean-Luc Volle, Jean Daniel Reber