Deposition of hydrate detection in multi-phase hydrocarbon flow, comprises applying thermal gradient across zone of pipe and comparing thermal flux with threshold value

摘要

The invention relates to an installation for implementing a method for detecting a deposit (D) that might form inside a fluid transport pipe ( 2 ). According to the invention, the installation comprises: at least one production source ( 3 ) for producing a thermal gradient, the source being for mounting on an "active" zone (Za) of the outside surface of the pipe; at least one measurement sensor ( 7 ) for measuring heat flux, the sensor being for mounting on a zone (Zm) of the outside surface of the pipe situated relative to the active zone at a given distance in consideration of the length of the pipe; and control and monitoring means ( 5 ) connected to the production source ( 3 ) and to the measurement sensor ( 7 ), and adapted to detect when the heat flux corresponding at least in part to the applied thermal gradient and transmitted by the pipe exceeds a determined threshold indicative of the presence of a deposit inside the pipe.