Publication Date: November 5, 2024
DEAN Technology's fiber optic pipeline leak detection system has successfully passed project acceptance and operated reliably for two years across Phase I and Phase II of the Weihai district heating network.
The successful long-term operation of the system demonstrates its reliability in real-world district heating applications and provides continuous monitoring support for the safe operation of critical heating pipeline infrastructure.
The Phase I and Phase II projects are important components of Weihai's district heating infrastructure. Reliable pipeline operation is essential to maintaining a stable heat supply during the winter heating season.
Over the past two years, DEAN Technology's fiber optic pipeline leak detection system has continuously monitored pipeline operating conditions, helping operators identify potential leaks and respond to abnormal conditions before they develop into more serious problems.
The system uses advanced distributed fiber optic sensing technology to provide continuous monitoring along the pipeline.
Compared with conventional point-based monitoring methods, distributed fiber optic sensing enables the sensing cable itself to function as a continuous monitoring medium along the pipeline route.
With high sensitivity and precise event localization, the system can detect abnormal conditions associated with pipeline leakage and generate an alarm when a potential leak is identified. This allows operation and maintenance personnel to locate the affected section and take corrective action quickly.
For district heating operators, continuous pipeline monitoring can help reduce the risks associated with:
Heating supply interruptions
Energy and water losses caused by pipeline leaks
Escalation of minor leakage into more serious failures
Environmental impact around the affected pipeline
Extended troubleshooting and emergency response
During two years of operation in the Weihai district heating network, the fiber optic pipeline leak detection system has demonstrated stable performance under actual operating conditions.
According to project feedback, the system has helped reduce the risks and potential losses associated with heating pipeline leakage while improving the reliability and stability of the overall heating supply system.
The successful operation of the Phase I and Phase II projects has also provided DEAN Technology with valuable field experience in applying fiber optic sensing technology to district heating pipeline monitoring.
Following the successful implementation of the initial projects, DEAN Technology was awarded additional fiber optic pipeline leak detection projects in 2024 for heating networks in Weihai's Lingang District and Wendeng District.
The continued deployment demonstrates the practical value of fiber optic sensing technology for long-term monitoring of district heating infrastructure.
For operators managing long-distance or large-scale heating networks, distributed fiber optic monitoring provides a way to move from periodic inspection toward continuous condition monitoring and earlier identification of potential pipeline risks.
Beyond district heating networks, fiber optic sensing technologies can be applied to a wide range of [long-distance pipeline monitoring → Internal Link ④] applications where continuous monitoring, early warning, and event localization are required.
Depending on the sensing technology and monitoring objectives, typical applications can include:
District heating pipelines
Long-distance heat transmission pipelines
Water transmission pipelines
Oil and gas pipelines
Industrial pipelines
Other critical linear infrastructure
Different monitoring requirements may involve temperature, vibration, acoustic, or strain sensing. Technologies such as DTS, DAS, and BOTDA therefore serve different monitoring purposes and should be selected according to the specific pipeline risks and project requirements.
[Learn more about DTS, DAS and BOTDA distributed fiber optic sensing technologies → Internal Link ⑤]
DEAN Technology provides fiber optic sensing and pipeline monitoring solutions for industrial and critical infrastructure applications, supporting project owners, engineering companies, and operators in improving pipeline safety and operational reliability.
