Patent ID: 6886393
Filing Date: 2005-05-03
Classification: F17D,G01B

Abstract:
1. A method of detecting a deposit (D) having a thermally insulating nature inside a fluid transport pipe ( 2 ) through which fluid is flowing, and which comprises a pipe wall having an outside surface, the deposit thermally insulating the pipe wall from fluid being transported by the pipe, the method comprising: applying a thermal gradient (G) to the outside surface of the pipe, the thermal gradient being transmitted substantially to the pipe wall when an insulating deposit is present; measuring the heat flux (F) on the outside surface of the pipe at a given distance from the application of the heat flux along the length of the pipe; determining a threshold value for heat flux at the given distance indicative of the presence of an insulating deposit of predetermined thickness; detecting when the heat flux measured at the given distance exceeds the threshold value, indicating the presence of an insulating deposit inside the pipe; and applying a thermal gradient (G) in a determined cycle.