Method for testing pipelines

1 . A method for pipeline testing comprising:

providing an electronics control module, the electronics control module generating control signals for automatically initiating corrective actions when needed;

providing a control parameters data input system, the control parameters data input system being in communication with the electronics control module such that control parameter input data entered through the control parameters data input system is provided to the electronics control module;

providing a fluid control system, the fluid control system being in communication with the electronics control module such that control signals generated by the electronics control module are provided to the fluid control system;

coupling a section of pipe to be tested to the fluid control system such that a pressurized test medium is supplied to the section of pipe to be tested by the fluid control system;

providing a pressurized test medium source;

coupling the pressurized test medium source to the fluid control system such that pressurized test medium is provided to the fluid control system by the pressurized test medium source;

using fluid control system to increase or decrease the amount of the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested in response to the control signals generated by the electronics control module, thereby increasing or decreasing an amount of pressure in the section of pipe to be tested;

providing two or more sensors;

positioning the two or more sensors such that the two or more sensors collect sensor data from the section of pipe to be tested, the two or more sensors in communication with the electronics control module such that the sensor data from the two or more sensors is provided to the electronics control module;

using the electronics control module to monitor the sensor data from the two or more sensors and compare the sensor data to control parameter input data a pressure test is conducted; and

in response to the comparison of the sensor data and the control parameter input data, using the electronics control module to generate the control signals to cause the fluid control system to increase or decrease the amount of the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested and thereby regulate the pressure in the section of pipe being tested.

2 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 1 wherein the electronics control module includes one or more processing components for:

receiving the sensor data and control parameter input data;

comparing the sensor data with the control parameter input data; and

generating control signals for automatically initiating corrective actions when needed.

3 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 2 wherein at least one of the one or more processing components is a Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC).

4 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 1 wherein the control parameters data input system is a Human/Machine Interface with a data entry touchscreen.

5 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 1 wherein the fluid control system includes one or more electronically activated valves that are activated and deactivated based on the control signals from the electronics control module.

6 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 1 wherein the one or more sensors include one or more sensors selected from a group of sensors including:

an ambient temperature sensor for generating ambient temperature data indicating the ambient temperature at the location of the section of pipe to be tested;

a pipe temperature sensor for generating pipe temperature data indicating the temperature of the section of pipe to be tested;

a ground temperature sensor for generating ground temperature data indicating the temperature of the ground at the depth of the section of pipe to be tested; and

a pressure sensor for generating pressure data indicating the pressure within the section of pipe to be tested.

7 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 1 , further wherein,

if the comparison of the sensor data and the control parameter input data indicates an emergency condition exists, the electronics control module automatically generates a control signal to cause the fluid control system to immediately release the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested and thereby release the pressure in the section of pipe being tested.

8 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 7 , further comprising:

providing an Emergency Shutdown Device (ESD) that when activated causes the fluid control system to immediately release the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested and thereby release the pressure in the section of pipe being tested.

9 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a mobile pipeline testing trailer; and

housing the electronics control module, the control parameters data input system, and the fluid control system in the mobile pipeline testing trailer.

10 . A method for pipeline testing comprising:

providing a mobile pipeline testing trailer;

housing an electronics control module in the mobile pipeline testing trailer, the electronics control module generating control signals for automatically conducting a pipeline test and automatically initiating corrective actions when needed;

housing a control parameters data input system in the mobile pipeline testing trailer, the control parameters data input system being in communication with the electronics control module such that control parameter input data entered through the control parameters data input system is provided to the electronics control module, the control parameter input data including test control parameter input data used by the electronics control module for conducting a pipeline test in the desired manner and parameters data indicating acceptable testing operations and parameter ranges;

housing a fluid control system in the mobile pipeline testing trailer, the fluid control system being in communication with the electronics control module such that control signals generated by the electronics control module are provided to the fluid control system, the fluid control system including a pressure up sub-system and a pressure down sub-system;

coupling a section of pipe to be tested to the fluid control system such that a pressurized test medium is supplied to the section of pipe to be tested by the fluid control system;

providing a pressurized test medium source, the pressurized test medium source providing pressurized test medium to the fluid control system, the fluid control system using the pressure up sub-system and pressure down sub-system to increase or decrease the amount of the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested in response to the control signals generated by the electronics control module, thereby increasing or decreasing an amount of pressure in the section of pipe to be tested;

providing two or more sensors;

positioning the two or more sensors to collect sensor data from the section of pipe to be tested, the two or more sensors being in communication with the electronics control module such that the sensor data from the two or more sensors is provided to the electronics control module;

using the electronics control module to monitor the sensor data from the two or more sensors and compare the sensor data to control parameter input data; and

in response to the comparison of the sensor data and the control parameter input data, using the electronics control module to generate the control signals used to control the pressure up sub-system and pressure down sub-system of fluid control system to cause the fluid control system to increase or decrease of the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested and thereby regulate the pressure in the section of pipe being tested.

11 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 10 wherein the fluid control system includes one or more electronically activated valves that are activated and deactivated based on the control signals from the electronics control module.

12 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 10 wherein the one or more sensors include one or more sensors selected from a group of sensors including:

an ambient temperature sensor for generating ambient temperature data indicating the ambient temperature at the location of the section of pipe to be tested;

a pipe temperature sensor for generating pipe temperature data indicating the temperature of the section of pipe to be tested;

a ground temperature sensor for generating ground temperature data indicating the temperature of the ground at the depth of the section of pipe to be tested; and

a pressure sensor for generating pressure data indicating the pressure within the section of pipe to be tested.

13 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 10 , further comprising:

if the comparison of the sensor data and the control parameter input data indicates an emergency condition exists, using the electronics control module to generate a control signal to cause the fluid control system to immediately release the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested and thereby release the pressure in the section of pipe being tested.

14 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 13 , further comprising:

providing an Emergency Shutdown Device (ESD) that if activated causes the fluid control system to immediately release the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested and thereby release the pressure in the section of pipe being tested.

15 . A method for pipeline testing comprising:

providing an electronics control module, the electronics control module generating control signals for automatically conducting a pipeline test and automatically initiating corrective actions when needed;

providing a control parameters data input system, the control parameters data input system being in communication with the electronics control module such that control parameter input data entered through the control parameters data input system is provided to the electronics control module, the control parameter input data including test control parameter input data used by the electronics control module for conducting a pipeline test in the desired manner and parameters data indicating acceptable testing operations and parameter ranges;

providing a fluid control system, the fluid control system being in communication with the electronics control module such that control signals generated by the electronics control module are provided to the fluid control system, the fluid control system including a pressure up sub-system, the pressure up sub-system including two or more solenoid-controlled pressure up valves, the fluid control system including a pressure down sub-system, the pressure down sub-system including two or more solenoid controlled bleed down valves;

coupling a section of pipe to be tested to the fluid control system such that a pressurized test medium is supplied to the section of pipe to be tested by the fluid control system;

providing a pressurized test medium source;

coupling the pressurized test medium source to the fluid control system such that the pressurized test medium is provided to the fluid control system;

using the pressure up sub-system and pressure down sub-system of fluid control system to increase or decrease the amount of the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested in response to the control signals generated by the electronics control module, thereby increasing or decreasing an amount of pressure in the section of pipe to be tested;

providing two or more sensors;

placing the two or more sensors to collect sensor data from the section of pipe to be tested, the two or more sensors being in communication with the electronics control module such that the sensor data from the two or more sensors is provided to the electronics control module;

using the electronics control module to monitor the sensor data from the two or more sensors and compare the sensor data to control parameter input data as a pipeline test is being conducted by the electronics control module; and

in response to the comparison of the sensor data and the control parameter input data, using the electronics control module to generate control signals to activate or deactivate the solenoid-controlled pressure up valves of the pressure up sub-system and activate or deactivate the solenoid-controlled bleed down valves of pressure down sub-system of fluid control system to cause the fluid control system to increase or decrease of the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested and thereby regulate the pressure in the section of pipe being tested.

16 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 15 wherein the electronics control module includes one or more Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) for:

receiving the sensor data and control parameter input data;

comparing the sensor data with the control parameter input data; and

generating control signals for automatically conducting a pipeline test and automatically initiating corrective actions when needed.

17 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 15 wherein the control parameters data input system is a Human/Machine Interface with a data entry touchscreen.

18 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 15 wherein the one or more sensors include one or more sensors selected from a group of sensors including:

an ambient temperature sensor for generating ambient temperature data indicating the ambient temperature at the location of the section of pipe to be tested;

a pipe temperature sensor for generating pipe temperature data indicating the temperature of the section of pipe to be tested;

a ground temperature sensor for generating ground temperature data indicating the temperature of the ground at the depth of the section of pipe to be tested; and

a pressure sensor for generating pressure data indicating the pressure within the section of pipe to be tested.

19 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 15 , further comprising:

if the comparison of the sensor data and the control parameter input data indicates an emergency condition exists, using the electronics control module to generate a control signal to cause the solenoid-controlled bleed down valves of pressure down sub-system of fluid control system to immediately release the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested and thereby release the pressure in the section of pipe being tested.

20 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 19 , further comprising:

providing an Emergency Shutdown Device (ESD) that if activated causes the solenoid-controlled bleed down valves of pressure down sub-system of fluid control system to immediately release the pressurized test medium that is provided to the section of pipe to be tested and thereby release the pressure in the section of pipe being tested.

21 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 15 wherein at least some of the solenoid-controlled pressure up valves of the pressure up sub-system or the solenoid-controlled bleed down valves of the pressure down sub-system of the fluid control system are attached to pressure lines that include different diameter control gates or orifices.

22 . The method for pipeline testing of claim 15 further comprising:

providing a mobile pipeline testing trailer; and

housing the electronics control module, the control parameters data input system, and the fluid control system in the mobile pipeline testing trailer.