JP7794656B2 - Pipeline Management System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a pipeline management system for managing the state of a pipeline.

Patent Document 1 describes attaching IC tags to the transport pipes that make up a pipeline. The IC tag stores information about the pipe's raw materials, manufacturing date, manufacturing plant, and other fittings, linked to the pipe's unique identification data. The information on the IC tag is then read using a reader/writer, and this information is centrally managed by a management server for each transport pipe.

Patent No. 6816222

Once a transport pipe is laid underground, it is difficult to grasp changes in its condition due to factors such as seismic activity and ground movement, or deterioration over time. For example, a pipeline is made up of pipes connected with joints, but it is difficult to grasp detailed changes in the condition of the pipeline, such as which section (which pipe) within a long pipeline has deteriorated the most. This issue applies not only to buried pipes, but also to exposed pipes.

A pipeline management system for solving the above problem includes a pipeline management system for managing a pipeline formed by connecting multiple transport pipes, the pipelines including a main pipeline, a bypass pipeline for the main pipeline, and an ancillary facility equipped with a valve assigned a valve ID for switching between the main pipeline and the bypass pipeline, the transport pipes including a sensor for measuring the state of the transport pipe and a communication unit for transmitting measurement data measured by the sensor , the pipelines including an IC tag assigned a tag ID , a management server including a state management database for managing the measurement data in the transport pipe in association with the tag ID , and an ancillary facility database for managing the state of the valve in association with the valve ID, and a relay device for receiving the measurement data transmitted from the communication unit and transmitting it to the management server. The management server determines that the measurement data is normal when it satisfies a normal model condition, and determines that the measurement data is abnormal when it does not satisfy the condition, and controls the opening and closing of the valve.

According to the above configuration, the condition of the transport pipes constituting the installed pipeline is measured by a sensor attached to an IC tag on the transport pipe, and the measured measurement data is continuously or periodically transmitted to a management server. This allows for centralized management of the condition of the transport pipes constituting the pipeline. When an abnormality in the transport pipe is detected, the management server can, for example, switch the pipeline to be used. Furthermore, the measurement data transmitted from the IC tag can predict the remaining useful life of the transport pipe. Furthermore, when the normal model conditions are not met, the management server determines that an abnormality has occurred and can reduce the flow rate in the section including the transport pipe determined to be abnormal, or can shut off the flow in the section including the transport pipe determined to be abnormal.

In the above pipeline management system, the transport pipe may further include a power generation unit that supplies power to the sensor and the communication unit. With this configuration, the power generation unit can independently generate the power required for the IC tag to transmit measurement data.

In the above-mentioned pipeline management system, the sensor may be configured to include a strain sensor that detects strain in the transport pipe. With this configuration, by measuring the amount of strain in the transport pipe, it is possible to manage the degree of deterioration due to seismic activity, ground movement, aging, etc.

In the above pipeline management system, the sensor may be configured to include a flow sensor that detects the flow rate of the transport pipe. With this configuration, the degree of deterioration of the inner surface of the transport pipe can be managed by measuring the flow rate of the transport pipe.

In the pipeline management system, the sensor may include a surface roughness sensor that detects the surface roughness of the inner surface of the transport pipe. According to the above configuration, by measuring the surface roughness of the transport pipe, it is possible to manage the degree of deterioration due to aging or the like.

In the above pipeline management system, the transport pipe may be constructed of a plastic pipe. This configuration allows the pipeline to adapt to uneven settlement in soft ground and ground distortion caused by earthquakes, and also provides excellent abrasion resistance and impact resistance. It is also possible to manage deterioration according to the plastic pipe.

In the above pipeline management system, the transport pipe may be a buried pipe. With this configuration, even if the transport pipe is a buried pipe, deterioration of the transport pipe can be managed in accordance with the underground environment.

The transport pipe that solves the above problem is a transport pipe that constitutes a pipeline and includes a sensor that measures the condition of the transport pipe and a communication unit that transmits measurement data measured by the sensor to an external device. With this configuration, the condition of the transport pipe can be transmitted to a management server. This allows the management server to manage the condition of the transport pipe and predict its remaining useful life, etc.

This invention allows for detailed management of pipeline status.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a pipeline management system. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the configuration of an IC tag provided on a transport pipe. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management server.

A pipeline management system to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[Pipeline configuration]
As shown in Figure 1, a pipeline system to be managed by a pipeline management system to which the present invention is applied is a pipeline system that transmits and distributes liquids such as water through pressure pipelines constructed by burying prefabricated pipes, and is composed of, for example, a pipeline 1 and its ancillary facilities 2. The ancillary facilities 2 include adjustment facilities, pressure regulation facilities, pumping facilities, water distribution facilities, water metering facilities, ventilation facilities, protection facilities, management facilities, and other water utilization facilities.

The pipeline 1 may be, for example, a water drainage pipeline or an agricultural water pipeline. The transport pipe 3 that constitutes the pipeline 1 is a resin pipe, such as a thermoplastic resin pipe or a thermosetting resin pipe. For example, the transport pipe 3 is molded from a thermoplastic resin, such as high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, rigid polyvinyl chloride, or glass fiber reinforced polyethylene. Furthermore, the transport pipe 3 may contain additives such as pigments, antioxidants, and stabilizers, or may contain a coupling material. The transport pipe 3 has a large diameter, for example, an inner diameter of approximately 100 mm to 3000 mm. Alternatively, the inner diameter may be, for example, 1000 mm or more. The transport pipe 3 is connected using electrofusion joints or butt fusion joints. For example, the transport pipe 3 is a buried pipe buried underground 9 that is subjected to both internal and external pressure.

The buried pipe is buried to a depth of, for example, 1 to several meters from the surface. In this way, if the transport pipe 3 is a plastic pipe, the pipeline 1 can withstand uneven settlement in soft ground and ground distortion caused by earthquakes, and also has excellent abrasion resistance and impact resistance.

The pipeline 1 comprises a main pipeline 4 and a bypass pipeline 5 for the main pipeline 4. It also comprises a management center 6 including a management server 31. If the main pipeline 4 is damaged, for example, due to earthquake activity or ground movement, or due to deterioration over time, the management center 6 controls the valves and other control devices 8 of the ancillary facilities 2 to shut off the section of the main pipeline 4 that includes the damaged section, thereby switching to the bypass pipeline 5. It also connects to the bypass pipeline 5 to reduce the flow rate of the main pipeline 4 when, for example, the allowable flow rate of the main pipeline 4 is exceeded.

As shown in Figure 2, an IC tag 11 is integrally attached to the transport pipe 3 that constitutes the pipeline 1. For example, if the transport pipe 3 is a straight or curved pipe, it has two ends, each of which serves as a joint for connecting to another transport pipe 3. If the transport pipe 3 is a branched pipe, it has three or more ends, each of which serves as a joint for connecting to another transport pipe 3. In such a transport pipe 3, the IC tag 11 is, as an example, attached to the end or near the end that constitutes the joint that is more likely to become a leak point than other parts. Of course, the IC tag 11 may also be attached in other locations.

[Overall configuration of pipeline management system]
The pipeline management system includes an IC tag 11 installed on the transport pipe 3, a relay device 21 for communicating with the IC tag 11, and a management server 31 for managing information transmitted from the IC tag 11.

[Configuration of IC tag]
As shown in FIG. 2, the IC tag 11 includes one or more sensors 12 , a power generation unit 13 , a power storage unit 14 , a communication unit 15 , and a control unit 16 .

The sensors 12 include a strain sensor 12a, a flow rate sensor 12b, and a surface roughness sensor 12c.
The strain sensor 12a measures the strain of the transport pipe 3. The strain can be used to determine whether the transport pipe 3 has been broken or cracked due to seismic activity, ground movement, or seismic changes. The strain sensor 12a is, for example, a plastic strain gauge. A plastic strain gauge has a structure in which a metal foil laid out in a zigzag pattern is attached to an insulator. The change in electrical resistance accompanying the deformation of the metal foil is measured and converted into the strain of the transport pipe 3. The strain sensor 12a is, for example, a strain gauge that utilizes the piezoresistance effect, in which the electrical resistivity of a semiconductor changes with stress. The strain sensor 12a detects strain in the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the transport pipe 3. The strain sensor 12a is not limited to these examples. Furthermore, such strain sensors 12a may be used in combination.

The flow rate sensor 12b can determine whether the current flow rate in the transport pipe 3 has reached the maximum flow rate or is within the design flow rate range. One example of the flow rate sensor 12b is an optical flow meter that employs the laser Doppler method. This optical flow meter irradiates the liquid flowing through the transport pipe 3 with a laser beam and measures the flow rate of the liquid from the frequency change of the reflected wave (Doppler effect) that occurs when the laser beam strikes particles moving within the liquid. Note that the flow rate sensor 12b is not limited to these examples. It may also be used in conjunction with flow rate sensors 12b based on other principles.

The surface roughness sensor 12c can grasp the degree of surface deterioration due to aging on the surface of the transport pipe 3. This is because the surface of a plastic pipe becomes rougher over time. As an example, the surface roughness sensor 12c is a contact-type measuring instrument in which the tip of a stylus directly touches the surface of the transport pipe 3, tracing the surface with the stylus and electrically detecting the up and down movement of the stylus. Alternatively, it is a non-contact-type measuring instrument that obtains the surface roughness by acquiring the surface shape from the information obtained by irradiating the surface of the transport pipe 3 with laser light. However, the surface roughness sensor 12c is not limited to these examples. It may also be used in conjunction with a surface roughness sensor 12c based on a different principle.

The power generation unit 13 generates electricity by itself in the IC tag 11 and supplies power to the various sensors 12 and communication unit 15. A liquid, such as water, flows through the transport pipe 3. The power generation unit 13, for example, uses the flow to turn a water wheel to generate small-scale hydroelectric power. The power generation unit 13 also generates power using magnetostrictive vibration, which is the reverse effect of magnetostriction. Specifically, in a magnetostrictive vibration power generation device, the magnetization of a magnetostrictive material changes when strain is applied to the magnetostrictive material due to expansion and contraction or vibration of the transport pipe 3 in the circumferential and axial directions. This change generates an electromotive force in a coil wound around the magnetostrictive element according to the law of electromagnetic induction. Furthermore, the power generation unit 13 may, for example, use a thermoelectric power generation element that utilizes the Seebeck effect, which is caused by the temperature difference between the transport pipe 3 and the underground temperature. The power generation unit 13 is not limited to these examples. These examples may also be used in combination.

The power generated by the power generation unit 13 is stored in the power storage unit 14. The power storage unit 14 may be a multilayer ceramic capacitor, an electrolytic capacitor, an electric double layer capacitor, a lithium ion capacitor, or the like. The power stored in the power storage unit 14 is used to drive the various sensors 12 and the communication unit 15. Note that the power storage unit 14 may also use a combination of these elements.

As an example, the communication unit 15 performs wireless communication to transmit measurement data detected by the sensor 12 to the management server 31 via the relay device 21. As an example, the communication unit 15 includes a wireless communication circuit, antenna element, etc. that conform to a mobile communication system. The mobile communication system may be a fourth-generation mobile communication system, a fifth-generation mobile communication system, etc. The communication unit 15 communicates with the base station of the cell in which the transport pipe 3 is located, either continuously or at predetermined intervals. The communication unit 15 performs predetermined modulation processing on the transmission data for communication and transmits it to the management server 31. The transmission data includes tag identification data (tag ID) unique to the IC tag 11, measurement data detected by the sensor 12, measurement date and time data, and the address of the management server 31 to which the measurement data is sent. The tag ID can also be used as a pipe ID, which is identification data for the transport pipe 3 to which the IC tag 11 is attached. A connection terminal may be provided for performing initial setup, etc.

The control unit 16 includes a calculation element, a memory element, a timer, a calendar, etc. The control unit 16 controls the sensor 12 and the communication unit 15. The memory element 16a is, for example, an integrated circuit element in which a memory circuit is configured on a semiconductor substrate. The memory element 16a stores a program that controls the overall operation, a tag ID, an address indicating the location of the management server 31, contact information such as the email address of the terminal of the manager of the pipeline 1, etc. It may also store longitude and latitude data indicating the installation location of the transport pipe 3.

In addition, the memory element 16a may store information about the transport pipe 3 at the time of manufacture (such as the raw materials of the thermoplastic resin pipe 1, manufacturing date, manufacturing plant, process inspection, product inspection, packaging date, shipping destination, customer application, pipe type (electric fusion joint pipe/butt fusion joint pipe), and fusion method (electric fusion/butt fusion)). In the case of transport pipes for electric fusion joints, the memory element 16a may store information such as the pipe type, socket inner diameter and spigot outer diameter (standard and measured values), and heating wire resistance. In the case of butt fusion joint transport pipes, the memory element 16a may store information such as the pipe type, diameter of the connection end, and thickness of the joint (standard and measured values). This information is stored in the IC tag 11 via the communication unit 15 during the manufacture of the transport pipe 3.

In addition, the memory element 16a stores construction information such as the construction date, construction site location, welding conditions, and construction environment (weather, temperature, humidity, etc.). Construction information is managed in the lifespan management database 34 of the management server 31 and saved via the communication unit 15 before or after installation.

The control unit 16 is in constant communication with the base station. The control unit 16 measures a predetermined period using a timer. Specifically, the processing unit 37 acquires measurement data from the sensor 12 at each first predetermined period. Then, the control unit 16 transmits the measurement data from the communication unit 15 to the management server 31 at each second predetermined period, associated with the tag ID. The transmitted measurement data includes the measurement value, the measurement date and time, a sensor ID indicating the type of sensor, and the like. The first and second predetermined periods may be every few seconds, every few minutes, every few hours, every day, every few days, etc. The predetermined period may also be changed in response to an external command. For example, when an abnormal event such as heavy rain or an earthquake occurs in the area or a neighboring area, the control unit 16 shortens the interval of the predetermined period upon receiving an external command.

The IC tag 11 described above has at least the sensor 12, power storage unit 14, communication unit 15, and control unit 16 mounted on a substrate, and is packaged as a single chip whenever possible. In the case of hydroelectric power generation, it is difficult to package the power generation unit 13 as a single unit because the water turbine must be placed inside the transport pipe 3. In this case, the water turbine and power storage unit 14 are wired to be electrically connected. Furthermore, in the case of power generation using strain, it is possible to incorporate them into a single chip. The packaged IC tag 11 can be easily attached to the outer surface of the transport pipe 3. For example, the IC tag 11 package is fixed to the outer surface of the transport pipe 3 with adhesive, double-sided tape, or the like. It is preferable that the IC tag 11 installed on one transport pipe 3 be a single package, but this does not prevent it from being composed of multiple packages and being electrically connected.

The IC tag 11 is a component that has a one-to-one relationship with the transport pipe 3. The IC tag 11 is attached to the transport pipe 3 when the transport pipe 3 is manufactured. Alternatively, it is attached to the transport pipe 3 during construction. The location where the transport pipe 3 to which the IC tag 11 is attached is laid can be identified by associating the tag ID with map data managed by the management server 31. Specifically, the tag ID is associated with laying position data such as longitude and latitude data and laying section data of the pipeline 1, making it possible to identify the laying position of the transport pipe 3.

As another example, for adjacent transport pipes 3, the sensor 12 of the IC tag 11 installed on one transport pipe 3 may be a different sensor 12 from the sensor 12 of the other transport pipe 3. This is because adjacent transport pipes 3 often have similar installation environments and similar deterioration conditions. Also, for multiple transport pipes 3 installed in one specific area, the type of sensor 12 of the IC tag 11 installed on each transport pipe 3 may be different. This is because, in one specific area, the installation environments are similar and similar deterioration conditions. In this way, reducing the number and types of sensors 12 implemented in one IC tag 11 allows for smaller and more cost-effective packaging.

Furthermore, IC tags 11 may be provided at all ends of all transport pipes 3 that make up the pipeline 1, or at only one end. Furthermore, IC tags 11 may be provided at every other pipe, every third pipe, or every other or several other pipes in the pipeline 1.

[Configuration of relay device]
The relay device 21 is an external device for the IC tag 11, and is, for example, a base station conforming to a mobile communication system. The relay device 21 includes an antenna, a communication circuit for wirelessly communicating with mobile terminals such as mobile phones and smartphones, and a communication circuit for communicating with an exchange. The relay device 21 communicates with the IC tag 11 of the transportation pipe 3 located within a cell, which is an area obtained by dividing the service area and is within the range of the radio waves of the relay device 21. Data transmitted from the IC tag 11 is transmitted to the management server 31, which is the destination, via the relay device 21 and the exchange.

[Management Server Configuration]
3, the management server 31 includes a status management database 32, an ancillary facility database 33, and a lifespan management database 34. The status management database 32 manages the transport pipes 3 used in the pipeline 1. The ancillary facility database 33 manages equipment such as valves (water faucets, water control valves, etc.) of the ancillary facilities 2. The lifespan management database 34 manages the lifespan of the transport pipes 3. Furthermore, the management server 31 includes a communication unit 35 that receives data transmitted from the IC tags 11, a memory 36, and a processing unit 37 that controls the overall operation.

The status management database 32 stores and manages the measurement date and time, the amount of strain measured by the strain sensor 12a, the flow rate measured by the flow sensor 12b, the surface roughness measured by the surface roughness sensor 12c, and other information in association with the tag ID assigned to the IC tag 11. This makes it possible to identify individual transport pipes 3 that have been laid from the tag ID, and manage the status of the transport pipes 3.

Valves and other equipment are installed in ancillary facilities 2, etc., located where the main pipeline 4 branches off into the bypass pipeline 5. These valves adjust their valve opening to regulate the flow rate in the main pipeline 4 and the bypass pipeline 5, ensuring the safety of the pipeline 1 from transient phenomena. The opening and closing of valves and other equipment is controlled by a control device 8 for each designated area. The ancillary facilities database 33 stores the valve opening, which represents the state of the valve, in association with a valve ID, which is unique identification data assigned to the valve.

The lifespan management database 34 manages the manufacturing date, construction date, remaining useful life, installation location, etc. of the transport pipe 3 in association with the tag ID. The manufacturing date, construction date, etc. of the transport pipe 3 can be obtained from the IC tag 11 or input from another terminal. The remaining useful life, as will be described in detail below, is calculated from the measurement date, strain amount, flow rate, surface roughness, etc. associated with the tag ID and stored in the status management database 32. The installation location can be identified on map data by being associated with the tag ID.

The communication unit 35 is connected to an external network. The communication unit 35 receives data transmitted from each IC tag 11 via the relay device 21. The data transmitted from the IC tag 11 is received as measurement data from the sensor 12 associated with the tag ID of the transmitting IC tag 11. The received measurement data is then stored in the status management database 32. The communication unit 35 also transmits control signals to the control device 8 to control the opening and closing of valves and the like in the ancillary facilities 2.

Memory 36 stores a normal model of the pipeline 1. The normal model stores the allowable strain amount (maximum strain amount), allowable flow rate and flow velocity (maximum flow rate and maximum flow velocity), allowable surface roughness (maximum surface roughness), etc. for each transport pipe 3 that makes up the pipeline 1.

The processing unit 37 obtains from the normal model the tolerance for the amount of distortion, the tolerance for the flow rate or flow velocity, the tolerance for surface roughness, etc. of the tag ID associated with the measurement data received by the communication unit 35. The processing unit 37 then compares the received measurement data with the tolerance for the amount of distortion, the tolerance for the flow rate or flow velocity, the tolerance for surface roughness, etc. If the measurement data meets the conditions of the normal model, it is judged to be normal, and if it does not, it is judged to be abnormal.

The processing unit 37 reduces the flow rate in the section including the transport pipe 3 determined to be abnormal. The processing unit 37 also blocks the flow in the section including the transport pipe 3 determined to be abnormal. To perform this control, the processing unit 37 identifies, for example, a valve in an ancillary facility 2 located upstream of the section in question, and transmits a control signal for the valve, etc., associated with the valve ID of the valve, etc., to the control device 8 of the ancillary facility 2. The control signal increases or decreases the opening degree of the valve, etc. In the example of Figure 1, when the main pipeline 4 includes a transport pipe 3 determined to be abnormal, the processing unit 37 closes the valve, etc., in the upstream ancillary facility 2, allowing liquid to flow only through the bypass pipeline 5. Alternatively, the processing unit 37 allows liquid to flow through both the main pipeline 4 and the bypass pipeline 5, reducing the flow rate in the main pipeline 4. The processing unit 37 then updates the opening degree, etc., of the valve ID of the valve, etc., that is being controlled, in the ancillary facility database 33.

The processing unit 37 also predicts the remaining useful life of the transport pipe 3, which is managed in the status management database 32. That is, the status management database 32 stores, in association with the tag ID, the measurement date and time, the amount of strain measured by the strain sensor 12a, the flow rate measured by the flow sensor 12b, the surface roughness measured by the surface roughness sensor 12c, and so forth. Surface deterioration of the outer surface of the transport pipe 3 can be predicted from the amount of strain, surface roughness, and so forth. Furthermore, wear on the inner surface of the transport pipe 3 can be predicted from the degree of wear, which can be calculated from the flow rate and flow velocity. The processing unit 37 applies the amount of strain, flow rate, surface roughness, and so forth to a prediction function for predicting the life of the transport pipe 3 for each tag ID, and predicts the life of the transport pipe 3 to which the IC tag 11 is attached. When the remaining useful life reaches a predetermined number of years, the processing unit 37 sends an email or other notification to the terminal of the pipeline 1 manager informing him or her that the time for replacement of the transport pipe 3 will soon come, or has already come.

[Effects of the embodiment]
The above-described embodiment can provide the following effects.
(1) The condition of the transport pipes 3 constituting the laid pipeline 1 is measured by the IC tags 11 attached to the transport pipes 3, and the measured measurement data is transmitted to the management server 31. This allows the management server 31 to centrally manage the conditions of the transport pipes 3 constituting the pipeline 1. In other words, the condition of each transport pipe 3 constituting the pipeline 1 can be managed in detail. When an abnormality in the transport pipe 3 is detected, the management server 31 can, for example, switch the pipeline. Furthermore, the remaining useful life of the transport pipe 3 can be predicted from the measurement data transmitted from the IC tags 11 continuously or periodically.

(2) The power used by the IC tag 11 to transmit the measurement data from the sensor 12 can be generated by the power generation unit 13 itself. This eliminates the need for an external power supply to allow the sensor 12 to measure and transmit the various conditions of the transport pipe 3. In particular, in the case of buried pipes, where it is difficult to supply power from above ground, it is effective to provide a self-generating power generation unit 13.

(3) By using a base station of a mobile communication system as the relay device 21, existing facilities can be reused.
(4) By measuring the amount of strain in the transport pipe 3 using the strain sensor 12a, it is possible to manage the degree of deterioration due to earthquake motion, ground movement, aging, etc.

(5) By measuring the flow rate of the transport pipe 3 using the flow rate sensor 12b, the degree of deterioration of the inner surface of the transport pipe 3 can be managed.
(6) By measuring the surface roughness of the transport pipe 3, the degree of deterioration due to aging and the like can be managed.

(7) By using a plastic pipe for the transport pipe 3, the pipeline 1 can be adapted to accommodate uneven settlement in soft ground and ground distortion caused by earthquakes, and can also be made highly resistant to abrasion and impact. Furthermore, deterioration can be managed according to the plastic pipe.

(8) Even if the transport pipe 3 is a buried pipe, deterioration of the transport pipe 3 can be managed according to the underground environment.
(9) The status of the transport pipe 3 can be transmitted to the management server 31. This allows the management server 31 to manage the status of the transport pipe 3 and predict the remaining useful life, etc.

[Modification]
The above-described pipeline 1 can be further modified as follows.

The sensor 12 may be another sensor 12 such as a water level (pressure) sensor.
The sensors 12 provided in the IC tag 11 may be at least one or two of the strain sensor 12a, the flow rate sensor 12b, and the surface roughness sensor 12c. Reducing the number of sensors 12 provided in the IC tag 11 allows the IC tag 11 to be made smaller and more energy-efficient.

The IC tag 11 and the relay device 21 may communicate with each other via a wired connection.
The relay device 21 may be a reader/writer for wireless communication with the IC tag 11. The reader/writer may wirelessly communicate with the IC tag 11 and transmit the received measurement data to a base station that complies with a mobile communication system.

The relay device 21 is not limited to a base station of a mobile communication system.
The transport pipe 3 may be a resin pipe, a concrete pipe, a ductile cast iron pipe, a steel pipe, an FRPM pipe (reinforced plastic composite pipe), or the like.

The transport pipe 3 may be an exposed pipe.
In addition to the above-mentioned examples, the pipeline 1 may be a hydraulic pipeline for a hydroelectric power plant, a water treatment facility, a sewerage facility, a circulating water pipeline within a factory, or the like.

The pipeline 1 may be a utility tunnel that aggregates lifelines such as electric wires, optical fiber for electricity, telephone, and communications, water and sewerage pipes, and gas pipes underground, such as under a road. In this case, the transport pipe 3 may be made of plastic pipes, concrete pipes, ductile cast iron pipes, steel pipes, or FRPM pipes. In the case of a utility tunnel, the IC tag 11 is installed in the transport pipe 3 that constitutes the utility tunnel. Power may be supplied to the IC tag 11 via electric wires within the utility tunnel. Measurement data may also be transmitted from the communication unit 15 to the management server 31 via a relay device 21 installed within the utility tunnel, either wired or wirelessly. For example, the relay device 21 may be a wireless LAN device compliant with the IEEE 802.1.1 standard, such as Wi-Fi.

- Transport pipe 3 may be applied to transport pipes located at great depths underground. Great depths underground are defined as depths not normally used for constructing basements (40 m or more below ground level) or depths not normally used for installing building foundations (10 m or more below the surface of the supporting ground).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Pipeline 2... Ancillary facility 3... Transport pipe 4... Pipeline 5... Bypass pipeline 8... Control device 9... Underground 11... IC tag 12... Sensor 12a... Strain sensor 12b... Flow rate sensor 12c... Surface roughness sensor 13... Power generation unit 14... Power storage unit 15... Communication unit 16... Control unit 16a... Memory element 21... Relay device 31... Management server 32... Status management database 33... Ancillary facility database 34... Lifespan management database 35... Communication unit 36... Memory 37... Processing unit

Claims (7)

In a pipeline management system for managing a pipeline formed by connecting a plurality of transport pipes,
The pipeline includes a main pipeline, a bypass pipeline for the main pipeline, and an auxiliary facility including a valve to which a valve ID is assigned for switching between the main pipeline and the bypass pipeline,
the transport pipe is equipped with an IC tag having a sensor that measures the state of the transport pipe and a communication unit that transmits measurement data measured by the sensor,
The IC tag is assigned a tag ID,
The pipeline management system is
the pipeline;
a management server including a status management database that manages the measurement data in the transport pipe in association with the tag ID, and an ancillary facility database that manages the status of the valve in association with the valve ID;
a relay device that receives the measurement data transmitted from the communication unit and transmits the measurement data to the management server,
The management server determines that the measurement data is normal when the measurement data satisfies the conditions of a normal model, and determines that the measurement data is abnormal when the measurement data does not meet the conditions, and controls the opening and closing of the valve. The pipeline management system according to claim 1 , wherein the transport pipe further includes a power generation unit that supplies power to the sensor and the communication unit. The pipeline management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor includes a strain sensor that detects strain in the transport pipe. The pipeline management system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a flow rate sensor that detects a flow rate in the transport pipe. The pipeline management system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a surface roughness sensor that detects the surface roughness of the inner surface of the transport pipe. The pipeline management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transport pipe is a resin pipe. The pipeline management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the transport pipe is a buried pipe.