Retrofit apparatus and method for gas line moisture detection and removal

摘要

A method for retrofitting an existing natural gas line drainage point 100 with a moisture detection capability includes inserting a conducting rod 110 in a previously installed drainage pipe 40 in the drainage point 100, where a lower extremity of the rod 110 may be covered with an insulating material 120, exposing a section of the rod 110 above the insulating material 120, where a lowest point of the section indicates a minimum level of moisture in the drainage point 100 for which status reporting is required, attaching a diagnostic unit 150 to both the drainage pipe 40 and the conducting rod 110 via electric leads 140, the unit including means to provide electric current and diagnose at least one of an electric short and an abrupt change in conductivity, and attaching means for transmitting 160 an indication regarding a status for the drainage point.