TECHNICAL FIELD:

The present disclosure relates to the field of metallurgy. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting deposits in a pipeline. Further embodiments of the present disclosure disclose system and method for detecting the concentration of sediment deposits in industrial pipelines such as pipelines used in steel plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE:

Generally, during carbonization of coking coal in a coke oven battery for the production of coke, around 25-30% of the coal charged is driven off as effluent gases rich in volatile matter and moisture. This gas is known as coke oven gas (CO gas). Coke oven gas (CO gas) is a byproduct gas produced during the production of metallurgical coke in a byproduct coke oven battery, where metallurgical coal is carbonized by heating it in absence of air. During carbonization, the volatile matter in the coal is vaporized and driven off. This volatile matter leaves the coke oven chambers as hot, raw coke oven gas. Coke-oven gas is a fuel gas having a medium calorific value that is produced during the manufacturing of metallurgical coke by heating bituminous coal to a temperatures of 900°C to 1000°C in a chamber from which air is excluded. The main constituents are, by volume, about 50% hydrogen, 30% methane and 3% higher hydrocarbons, 7% carbon monoxide, 3% carbon dioxide and 7% nitrogen. The gas has a heating value of about 20,000 kJ/m3.

Typically, coke-oven gas is obtained from a battery comprising a number of narrow, vertical chambers, or ovens built of silica brick that are separated by heating ducts, such that heat is transmitted to the coal through both sides of the chamber walls. The ovens are slightly tapered so that one end is wider than the other to facilitate the horizontal discharge of the coke. Crushed coal is charged from overhead bunkers into the ovens, which are sealed at each end by refractory-lined sheet doors and heated. The hot coke is then discharged. About 12%, by weight, of the coal is converted into gas. The hot gases evolved from the coal pass through a gas space at the top of the oven and into a collecting main prior to quenching and treatment to remove dust, tar and oil, and gaseous impurities such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. Also, the coke-oven gas includes impurities such as naphthalene and tar.

After leaving the coke oven chambers, the raw coke oven gas may be directed into the coke-oven gas pipeline. As the pressure in the gas pipeline is significantly equal to the atmospheric pressure, impurities/sediments begin depositing in the pipeline. As a result, over a period of time the sediments completely get deposited in the pipeline which may result in several downsides in the production process. Also, due to the sediment deposits, the pipelines get blocked which is a substantially bigger problem in the steel industry. The sediment deposition hinders the flow of coke oven gas which affects the production process. Blockage of pipelines lead to a poor operating efficiency and increase the risk of potential accidents.

There are also known prior arts to determine deposition of sediments in the pipeline. For instance, the prior art US20050041775A1 discloses a method for high-speed radiographic inspection of a fluid vessel using a radiation source and a radiation detector. The source and detector move longitudinally (and circumferentially) with respect to vessel to map the image of deposit present inside the pipeline. The device of US20050041775A1 poses a serious radiation hazard; it can’t be used for pipeline at greater heights. Moreover, the method disclosed in US20050041775A1 will fail to map the bends. In another known prior art, WO2007008636A1 a method for determining deposition parameters within an industrial heating system using phased array probe is disclosed. In the method disclosed in WO2007008636A1, sediment deposit must be intact with the surface of pipe so that reflected acoustic wave is received by phased array probe. In gas pipelines, sediment get deposited with time; they are porous in nature and hence acoustic wave will not be able to travel back to the probe.
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or other such limitations associated with the conventional systems.

The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the conventional method are overcome by process as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the provision of processes as claimed in the present disclosure.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a method for detecting sediment deposits in a pipeline is disclosed. The method includes heating a pre-determined portion of the pipeline for a pre-defined period of time by a heating module. Capturing a plurality of thermal images of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline during heating by an image capturing module. Determining by a processing unit associated with the image capturing module, a rate of change of temperature during heating of the pre-determined portion based on the plurality of thermal images captured by the image capturing module. The method also includes comparing the determined rate of change of temperature during heating with a pre-defined rate of change of temperature during heating that is stored in the processing unit. A variation in the determined rate of change of temperature is indicative of the sediment deposits in the pipeline.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the heating module is a radiation heating source. The radiation heating source is at least one of a thermoelectric heater, a halogen lamp and a gas-fired space heater.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the image capturing module is an infrared camera.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method includes cooling the pre-determined portion of the pipeline for a pre-defined time. The processing unit may be configured to determine a rate of change of temperature during cooling of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline for the pre-defined time. The rate of change of temperature during cooling of the pipeline is indicative of the sediment deposits in the pipeline.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the processing unit generates a temperature profile based on the rate of change of temperature during heating and the rate of change of temperature during cooling.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the concentration of the sediment deposits is determined by superimposing the temperature profile with a pre-defined temperature profile stored in a memory unit associated with the processing unit. The variation in the temperature profile from the pre-defined temperature profile is indicative of concentration of sediment deposits in the pipeline.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the pre-determined portion of the pipeline is a critical zone in the pipeline.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the temperature profile is generated by the processing unit.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, a system for detecting sediment deposits in a pipeline is disclosed. The system includes a heating module configured to heat a pre-determined portion of the pipeline for a pre-defined period of time. An image capturing module configured to capture a plurality of thermal images of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline during heating. A processing unit communicatively coupled to the image processing module. The processing unit is configured to determine rate of change of temperature during heating of the pre-determined portion based on the plurality of thermal images captured by the image capturing module. Comparing the determined rate of change of temperature during heating with a pre-defined rate of change of temperature during heating store in the processing unit. A variation in determined heating rate of change of temperature during the heating is indicative of the sediment deposits in the pipeline.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the processing unit generates a temperature profile based on the plurality of thermal images captured by the image capturing module for the pre-defined time period during heating and cooling.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the processing unit is configured to determine rate of change of temperature during cooling of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline for the pre-defined time. The rate of change of temperature during cooling of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline is indicative of the sediment deposits in the pipeline.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

FIG.1 is a schematic view of a system used for detecting sediment deposits in a pipeline, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.2 is a flowchart of a method for detecting sediment deposits in the pipeline, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.3 illustrates an exemplary schematic view of a pipeline with sediment deposits of varying concentration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.4 illustrates graphical representation of a temperature profile generated by the system of FIG. 1 to compare with a reference graph stored in system of FIG.1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent processes do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a system for detecting sediment deposits in a pipeline which may be employed in the steel industry. The system also detects the concentration of sediment deposits in the pipeline. With the system of the present disclosure, sediment depositions can be detected with ease and also the system helps in timely detection of the sediment deposits, so that maintenance operations can be performed even before the pipeline fails due to sedimentation. The system when employed in the steel industry ensures that the flow of coke-oven gas in the pipeline is not hindered, and thus avoid downsides that may be caused in the pipeline that may affect production rates. Therefore, the system ensures that the operating efficiency of the coke-oven system is not hindered. Also, the potential damages that may be caused to a production plant or production system, may be eliminated by the system of the present disclosure.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the system includes a heating module. In an embodiment, the heating module may a radiation heat source. The heating module may be configured to generate heat for heating a pre-determined portion of the pipeline. In an embodiment, the heating module may be configured to heat the pipeline from a distance. In an embodiment, an image capturing module may be positioned at a known distance from the pipeline. The image capturing module may be configured to capture images of the pipeline during heating of the pipeline. The image capturing module may be capable of capturing a plurality of thermal images of the pipeline. In an embodiment, the system includes a processing unit. The image capturing module may be communicatively coupled to the processing unit.

The image capturing module may send the plurality of captured images to the processing unit. The processing unit may be configured to determine rate of change of temperature during heating of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline based on the plurality of thermal images. Further, the processing unit may compare the determined rate of change of temperature during heating with a pre-defined rate of change of temperature during heating. In an embodiment, the pre-defined rate of change of temperature during heating may be stored in a memory unit associated with the processing unit. Also, the processing unit may be configured to determine the rate of change of temperature during cooling and may be compared with a predetermined rate of change of temperature during cooling. A variation in determined rate of change of temperature during heating or cooling from the pre-defined rate of change of temperature during heating or cooling may be indicative of the sediment deposits in the pipeline.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the specification, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an system that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or method. In other words, one or more elements in an assembly proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly.

Henceforth, the present disclosure is explained with the help of one or more figures of exemplary embodiments. However, such exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limitation of the present disclosure.

The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to FIGS.1 to 4. In the figures, the same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

FIG.1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, which shows a schematic view of a system (10) used for detecting sediment deposits (4) in a pipeline (5). The sediments may be deposited in any portion of the pipeline (5). In some embodiments, cross-section of the pipeline (5) may be at least one of but not limiting to a circular, an oval or a square cross section. In an embodiment, the pipeline (5) may be a coke-oven gas pipeline. Generally, the coke-oven gas includes effluents such as but not limiting to Benzene (C6H6), Ammonia (NH3), Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and other unwanted impurities like tar and naphthalene. The said effluents over a period of time may get deposited as sediments on an inner surface of the pipeline (5) as the pressure within the pipeline (5) is significantly close to atmospheric pressure. The sediment deposits (4) may hinder the flow of coke-oven gas, thereby affecting the production. Also, the sediment deposits (4) may cause blockages in the pipeline (5) which may lead to poor operating efficiency and may also increase the risk of a potential accident. The system (10) of the present disclosure ensures that the sediment deposits (4) may be detected on a real time basis and eliminate the same, thereby avoiding potential losses that may be caused over a period of time. In an embodiment, the system (10) includes a heating module (2). The heating module (2) may be configured to heat the pipeline (5) for a pre-defined period of time. The heating module (2) is a non-contact type heating module and may be positioned at a distance from the pipeline (5). In an embodiment, heat waves that may be generated by the heating module (2) may be directed towards the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5). The heating module (2) may be switched ON to generate the heat waves to heat the pipeline (5) at a location desired to be tested by the operator. In some embodiments, the operation of the heating module (2) may be automated. In an embodiment, the heating module (2) may be a radiation heat source. In some embodiments, the radiation heat source may be at least one of a thermoelectric heater, a halogen lamp and a gas-fired space heater. However, use of radiation heat source or the type of heating modules used in the present disclosure should not be construed as limitations.

Further, the system (10) includes an image capturing module (1). In an embodiment, the image capturing module (1) may be positioned at a proximal distance from the pipeline (5). In an embodiment, the distance of the image capturing module (1) from the pipeline (5) may be farther than that of the heating module (2). In another embodiment, the image capturing module (1) may be directed to face the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5). In an embodiment, the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5) may be the portion where the pipeline (5) may be heated and cooled. In some embodiments, the image capturing module (1) may be configured to capture a plurality of thermal images of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5). In an exemplary embodiment, the image capturing module (1) may be an infrared camera. However, the type of image capturing module (1) used in the present disclosure should not be construed as a limitation. As used herein, the image capturing module (1) may be any one of the image capturing modules capable of capturing the heating and the cooling profile of a variety of materials not limiting to pipelines (5). In an embodiment, the system (10) may include one or more than one image capturing unit (1).

A processing unit (3) may be communicatively connected to the image capturing module (1). In an embodiment, the image capturing module (1) may be embedded in the processing unit (3). In another embodiment, the image capturing module (1) may be an external module that may be communicatively connected to the processing unit (3). The processing unit (3) may be configured to receive a plurality of thermal images of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5). As described earlier in the disclosure, the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5) may be that portion of the pipeline that may be heated or cooled. In an embodiment, the processing unit (3) may include an analyzer that may be associated with the image capturing module (1) and the processing unit (3). In an embodiment, the processing unit (3) may include an analyzer that may be associated with the image capturing module (1) and the processing unit (3). The processing unit (3) may be configured to analyze each of the plurality of thermal images of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5). In an embodiment, the analyzer [not shown] associated with the processing unit (3) may be configured to analyze each of the plurality of thermal images corresponding to the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5). Once the plurality of thermal images is analyzed by the processing unit (3), the processing unit (3) may determine at least one of a rate of change of temperature during heating or rate of change of temperature during cooling. In an embodiment, the determined rate of change of temperature during heating and during cooling of the predetermined portion of the pipeline (5) may be compared with a pre-defined rate of change of temperature during heating or during cooling. In some embodiments, the pre-defined rate of change of temperature may be stored in the processing unit (3). In another embodiment, a memory unit [not shown] associated with the processing unit (3) may be configured to store the pre-defined rate of change of temperature during heating [as shown in FIG.4].

Also, the processing unit (3) may be configured to determine a variation in determined rate of change of temperature during heating or during cooling. In an embodiment, the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5) may be cooled by at least one of but not limiting to natural cooling and forced cooling. The variation in the determined range of temperature with the pre-defined range of temperature during heating or during cooling may be indicative of the sediment deposits (4) in the pipeline (5). In an embodiment, based on the variation in the determined rate of change of temperature during heating or cooling may also indicate a concentration [as shown in FIG.3] of the sediment deposits (4).

In an embodiment, the processing unit (3) may be configured to generate a temperature profile based on the plurality of thermal images captured by the image capturing module (1). In an embodiment, the temperature profile may be generated by the processing unit (3) based on the rate of change of temperature during heating or cooling of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5). In an embodiment, the temperature profile generated may be superimposed over a pre-defined temperature profile. The pre-defined temperature profile may be stored in the memory unit associated with the processing unit (3). A variation in the determined temperature profile when compared with the pre-defined temperature profile is determined. The variation may be indicative of the sediment deposits (4) in the pipeline (5). As shown in FIG.3, based on the variation in determined temperature profile with the pre-defined temperature profile, the concentration of the sediment deposits may be determined. As shown in FIG.4, the temperature profile may vary for different amount of concentration of the sediment deposits (4) in the pipeline (5). The rate of change of temperature during heating or during cooling of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5) may be dependent on the amount of sediment deposits (4) present in the pipeline (5). Referring to FIG.3 in conjunction with FIG.4, if the amount of sediment deposit is minimum or zero (as shown in FIG.3) in the pipeline (5), the rate of change of temperature during heating and cooling of the pipeline (5) may be faster (as shown in FIG.4). Further, if the sediments are completely deposited in the pipeline (5) (i.e. if the sediment deposits are 100%), the rate of change of temperature during heating and cooling may be slower (as shown in FIG.4) in the pipeline (5). The predefined temperature profile may be shown in FIG.4. In some embodiments, the pre-defined temperature profile may be determined by performing number of trails corresponding to the amount of sediment deposits (4) in the pipeline (5).

Firstly, to calibrate the pre-defined temperature profile to the processing unit (3) a pipeline with zero sediment deposits may be considered and rate of change of temperature may be determined for this condition. Further, the pipeline may be filled with varying amount of sediment deposits and the temperature profile may of the same may be stored in the processing unit (3). In an embodiment, based on the variation in determined temperature profile with the predefined temperature profile may indicate the sediment deposits in the pipeline (5). In an embodiment, the system (10) may be used at a critical portions of the pipeline (5). The critical portions of the pipeline (5) may include regions of the pipeline (5) such as but not limiting to bend sections or regions of varying cross sections.

Referring now to FIG.2, it is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating a flowchart of a method for detecting sediment deposits in a pipeline (5).

As illustrated in FIG.2, the method comprises one or more blocks illustrating a method for detecting the sediment deposits (4) in the pipeline (5). The method may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions. Generally, computer-executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform functions or implement abstract data types.

The order in which the method is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.

As shown at block 101, the heating module (2) may be configured to generate heat waves which may be directed towards the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5). In an embodiment, the heating module (2) may heat the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5) for a pre-determined time period. In an embodiment, the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5) may be allowed to cool after the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5) is heated completely for the predefined time period.

As shown at block 102, the image capturing module (1) may capture the plurality of thermal images of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5). In an embodiment, the image capturing module (1) may be configured to acquire images of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5) during heating and cooling of the pipeline (5). Further, as depicted in block 103, upon receiving the plurality of thermal images from the image capturing module (1), the processing unit (3) may analyze the plurality of thermal images corresponding to the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5). In an embodiment, the analyzer associated with the processing unit (3) may aid in analysis of the plurality of thermal images. Once the plurality of thermal images is analyzed, the processing unit (3) may be configured determine the rate of change of temperature during heating and during cooling of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5). The determined rate of change of temperature during heating and cooling may then be compared with the pre-defined rate of change of temperature during heating and cooling and a variation in the temperature profile is determined. The variation in the determined temperature profile with the pre-defined temperature profile may be indicative of the sediment deposits (4) in the pipeline (5). Also, based on the amount of variation determined the concentration of sediment deposits (4) in the pipeline (5) may also be determined. In another embodiment, the processing unit (3) may be configured to generate a temperature profile [as shown in FIG.4] based on the rate of change of temperature during heating and during cooling of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5). The generated curve may be superimposed over the pre-defined temperature profile and compared by the processing unit (3). Based on the comparison of the generated temperature profile and the pre-defined temperature profile, concentration of the sediment deposits (4) may be determined in the pipeline (5). In an embodiment, a variations between the two temperature profiles may be also indicate the amount of sediment deposition (4) in the pipeline (5). Also, based on the amount of variations in the temperature profile curve, the concentration of sediment deposit may be determined.

In an embodiment, the system (10) may be configured to detect the concentration of sediment deposits (4) in the pipeline (5). The system (10) of the present disclosure ensures timely detection and thus enable timely elimination of the sediment deposits (4). Also, the system (10) ensures that the flow of gas in a pipeline is not hindered, thereby eliminating any such downsides that may be caused in the pipeline (5) that may affect production rates. Further, the system (10) ensures the operating efficiency of the system (10) is not hindered. Also, the potential damages that may be caused to production plant or production system may be eliminated by the system (10) of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the processing unit (3) may be a centralized control unit, or a dedicated control unit associated with the system (10). The control unit may be implemented by any computing systems that is utilized to implement the features of the present disclosure. The control unit may be comprised of a processing unit. The processing unit may comprise at least one data processor for executing program components for executing user- or system-generated requests. The processing unit may be a specialized processing unit such as integrated system (bus) controllers, memory management control units, floating point units, graphics processing units, digital signal processing units, etc. The processing unit may be a hardware unit which include a microprocessor, such as AMD Athlon, Duron or Opteron, ARM’s application, embedded or secure processors, IBM PowerPC, Intel’s Core, Itanium, Xeon, Celeron or other line of processors, etc. The processing unit may be implemented using a mainframe, distributed processor, multi-core, parallel, grid, or other architectures. Some embodiments may utilize embedded technologies like application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc.

In some embodiments, the processing unit may be disposed in communication with one or more memory devices (e.g., RAM, ROM etc.) via a storage interface. The storage interface may connect to memory devices including, without limitation, memory drives, removable disc drives, etc., employing connection protocols such as serial advanced technology attachment (SATA), integrated drive electronics (IDE), IEEE-1394, universal serial bus (USB), fiber channel, small computing system interface (SCSI), etc. The memory drives may further include a drum, magnetic disc drive, magneto-optical drive, optical drive, redundant array of independent discs (RAID), solid-state memory devices, solid-state drives, etc.

It is to be understood that a person of ordinary skill in the art may develop a system of similar configuration without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Such modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations provided they come within the ambit of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Equivalents

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding the description may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated in the description.

Referral Numerals:

Description Reference Number
Flowchart 101-104
System 10
Image capturing module 1
Heating module 2
Processing unit 3
Sediment deposits 4
Pipeline 5

We Claim:

1. A method for detecting sediment deposits (4) in a pipeline (5), the method comprising:
heating, by a heating module (2), a pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5) for a pre-defined period of time.
capturing, by an image capturing module (1), a plurality of thermal images of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5) during heating.
determining, by a processing unit (3) associated with the image capturing module (1), a rate of change of temperature during heating of the pre-determined portion based on the plurality of thermal images captured by the image capturing module (1); and
comparing the determined rate of change of temperature with a pre-defined rate of change of temperature during heating stored in the processing unit (3),
wherein, a variation in the determined rate of change of temperature is indicative of the sediment deposits (4) in the pipeline (5).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating module (2) is a radiation heat source.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the radiation heat source is at least one of a thermoelectric heater, a halogen lamp and a gas-fired space heater.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image capturing module (1) is an infrared camera.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 comprises cooling, the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5) for a pre-defined time.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5 comprises determining, by the processing unit (3), a rate of change of temperature during cooling of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5) for the pre-defined time, wherein the rate of change of temperature during cooling of the pipeline (5) is indicative of the sediment deposits (4) in the pipeline (5).

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 comprises generating, by the processing unit (3), a temperature profile based on the rate of change of temperature during heating and the rate of change of temperature during cooling.

8. The method as claimed in claims 1 and 7, wherein concentration of the sediment deposits is determined by superimposing the temperature profile with a pre-defined temperature profile stored in a memory unit associated with the processing unit (3).

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein variation in the temperature profile from the pre-defined temperature profile is indicative of concentration of sediment deposits (4) in the pipeline (5).

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5) is a critical zone in the pipeline (5).

11. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the temperature profile is generated by the processing unit (3).

12. A system (10) for detecting sediment deposits (4) in a pipeline (5), the system (10) comprising:
a heating module (2) configured to heat a pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5) for a pre-defined period of time;
an image capturing module (1) configured to capture a plurality of thermal images of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5) during heating; and
a processing unit (3) communicatively coupled to the image capturing module (1), wherein the processing unit (3) is configured to:
determine rate of change of temperature during heating of the pre-determined portion based on the plurality of thermal images captured by the image capturing module (3); and
compare the determined rate of change of temperature during heating with a pre-defined rate of change of temperature during heating stored in the processing unit (3),
wherein, the variation in determined rate of change of temperature is indicative of the sediment deposits (4) in the pipeline (5).

13. The system (10) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the processing unit (3) generates a temperature profile based on the plurality of thermal images captured by the image capturing module (2) for the pre-defined time during heating and cooling.

14. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the heating module (2) is a radiation heat source.

15. The system (10) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the radiation heat source is at least one of a thermoelectric heater, a halogen lamp and a gas-fired space heater.

16. The system (10) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the image capturing module (1) is an infrared camera.

17. The system (10) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the processing unit (3) is configured to determine rate of change of temperature during cooling of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5) for a pre-defined time, wherein the rate of change of temperature during cooling of the pre-determined portion of the pipeline (5) is indicative of the sediment deposits (4) in the pipeline (5).

18. A coke-oven gas pipeline comprising the system (10) as claimed in claim 12.