In situ detection of oil leakage by new self-sensing nanocomposite sensor containing MWCNTs

Applied Nanoscience - 2021
Mohammed Al-Bahrani1,2,3, Alistair Cree2
1Iraqi Ministry of Oil, Baghdad, Iraq
2School of Engineering, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
3Research and Studies Unit, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Hillah, Iraq

Tóm tắt

One of the ever-existing concerns for operators in the oilfield industry is the integrity of the equipment used. Thus, in this crucial sector, an essential task involves developing extremely sensitive, reliable, and cost-effective techniques to detect and monitor oil spills. On this basis, the focus of this study is the creation and examination of the electrical resistance differences of novel self-sensing nanocomposite sensors used in distinct contexts to detect oil leaks. The technique integrates electrically conductive multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), with varying concentrations between 0 and 2.0 wt% and thicknesses, into elastomer polymer ethylene-propylene diene rubbers (EPDM). Initially, scanning electron microscopy and XRD test were used for examining dispersions. From the results, good distribution and homogeneity of the MWCNTs are observed. Such results are consistent with the decreased electric resistance that happens when there is an increase in the sensor’s thickness and the MWCNTs concentration. Also, it has been noted that nanocomposites’ piezoresistive characteristics principally rely on the sensor thickness and the concentration of the MWCNTs. For the sample with low thickness and volume fraction, a higher degree of resistance change is noted, resulting in a gauge factor of 13.41. Also, the impact of viscosity and temperature are addressed. When the MWCNTs concentration is lower, the sensors show higher levels of sensitivity to viscosity and temperature. Such observations imply that when oil spills, it tends to move in the direction of the EPDM matrix/filler interfaces. Following the sensor’s swelling, the MWCNTs network is pushed to disintegrate, leading to a dramatic escalation in the sensor’s electrical resistance.

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