Attachment 1 - Team Project Activities 693JK326RA002.docx

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TEAM PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Leak Detection Technology Transfer STAGE 1: Stakeholder Engagement & Commercial Alignment

1. Establish Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) & Commercialization Alignment: Project kickoff discussion with industry end-users (pipeline/facility operators, leak detection, service providers, vendors, applicators, and instrument manufacturers) and academic partners to establish the TAP, define operational and commercial deployment requirements, establish detection thresholds, identify market barriers, and assign industry peer-review members.

2. Kick-Off Meeting & Technology Transfer Plan (TTP) Refinement: Conduct initial project team and TAP meeting to review scope, finalize commercialization milestones, and baseline the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) transition plan.

STAGE 2: System Optimization & Lab/Benchtop Validation

1. Sensor Architecture & Algorithmic Performance Modeling: Utilize sensor modeling and signal processing algorithms to evaluate leak detection capabilities, identifying critical operating parameters required for scalable industrial deployment:

· Signal-to-noise ratio, spatial resolution, and detection range along simulated pipeline or facility segments.

· Algorithm sensitivity and false-alarm suppression under varying flow regimes, pressure drops, and ambient noise conditions.

2. Benchtop & Flow Loop Test Selection: Evaluate existing sensor calibration and testing methodologies, selecting the most suitable flow loop or environmental test bed for rigorous baseline validation of leak response times and localization accuracy.

3. System Hardware & Software Optimization: Test the leak detection hardware/software across variations in commercial operating parameters (pipe diameter, fluid/gas composition, line pressure, temperature fluctuations, and environmental interference) using representative system configurations:

· Continuous Hardware/Sensor Array Configuration: (1) Direct-contact/line-mounted sensors; (2) Non-intrusive / external sensor packages.

· Algorithmic & Software Integration: (1) Edge-computed leak recognition models; (2) Cloud-integrated multi-sensor fusion models.

4. Leak Quantification & Real-Time Rate Measurement Calibration: Develop, test, and calibrate quantitative measurement algorithms to calculate real-time leak parameters under dynamic operating conditions:

· Leak Rate & Volume Estimation: Measure and calculate instantaneous leak flow rates (e.g., standard cubic feet per hour [SCFH] or gallons per minute [GPM]) across micro-leaks, pinhole breaches, and major pipeline tears.

· Mass Balance & Concentration Profiling: Calibrate multi-sensor data streams to accurately estimate cumulative mass loss and gas/liquid plume concentration profiles over time.

· Sizing & Severity Classification: Establish automated classification thresholds to quantify leak severity and prioritize operator response protocols based on real-time flow measurement data.

5. Baseline Calibration & False-Positive Mitigation: Measure baseline sensor response times and environmental cross-sensitivities to refine detection algorithms for commercial application and operator interface development.

6. Predictive Model & Analytics Calibration: Compare real-time hardware leak detection data with theoretical fluid/gas dispersion models to refine the predictive localization software for field deployment.

STAGE 3: Field Pilot Testing & Operational Demonstration (TRL 7 – Prototype System Demonstrated in Operational Environment)

1. Pilot Site Selection & Test-Bed Integration (TRL 7): Identify and prepare field pilot test sites incorporating industry-standard operating environments (e.g., active pipeline test loops, compressor stations, or field gathering lines) to mirror real-world operational conditions, regulatory constraints, and physical installation requirements.

2. Controlled Field Release Testing & Quantitative Validation (TRL 7): Perform controlled, simulated leak releases across varied flow rates and environmental conditions to verify sensitivity, localization accuracy, real-time quantification precision, and system reliability required by facility operators and regulatory bodies.

3. SCADA Integration & Control Room Interoperability (TRL 7): Evaluate hardware and software communications protocols to ensure seamless integration into operator SCADA, enterprise control systems, or third-party monitoring platforms under active operating conditions.

4. Long-Term Operational Endurance & Reliability Testing (TRL 7): Subject field-deployed sensor packages and edge compute nodes to extended outdoor operational conditions (temperature extremes, moisture, vibration) to inform commercial durability, mean-time-between-failures (MTBF), and life-cycle maintenance models.

5. Decision Support & Operator Alert Tooling (TRL 7): Package leak detection analytics and quantification metrics into a user-friendly operator dashboard and decision support tool, optimized for rapid incident response, threat visualization, and automated alert generation.

STAGE 4: Technology Proliferation, System Qualification & Full Commercialization (TRL 8–9) TRL 8: System Complete and Qualified through Test and Demonstration

1. Regulatory & Agency System Qualification (TRL 8): Present field performance data and qualification test results to DOT/PHMSA and regulatory review panels to verify compliance with federal pipeline safety regulations, environmental monitoring mandates, and system certification requirements.

2. Mid-Term TAP & Adoption Risk Mitigation (TRL 8): Conduct review with TAP and peer-review members to formally verify TRL 8 system completion, review field pilot qualification metrics, and mitigate final commercial scaling barriers.

3. Standards & Code Integration (TRL 8): Collaborate with Standards Developing Organizations (SDOs)—such as API (e.g., API 1130/1175), ASME, or ASTM—to incorporate system performance benchmarks, calibration standards, and quantitative testing protocols into official industry consensus standards.

TRL 9: Actual System Proven through Successful Mission Operations (Full Commercial Deployment)

1. Commercial Launch & Supply Chain Transition (TRL 9): Finalize manufacturing, supply chain, and software licensing frameworks to support full-scale commercial market entry, product roll-out, and commercial vendor support.

2. Final TAP Closure & Commercial Transition Plan (TRL 9): Conduct final project closure meeting with the TAP to demonstrate the operationalized TRL 9 commercial product, review active vendor/operator deployment agreements, and submit the final Technology Transition Report.

3. Deliverables & Technology Dissemination (TRL 9): Prepare and submit Monthly Reports, Quarterly Status Reports, Final Project Report, Technology Transfer Brief, Final TRL Assessment (TRL 9 Verification), and TAP Peer-Review Reports.

4. Market Outreach & Widespread Adoption (TRL 9): Publish peer-reviewed articles, demonstrate the commercial-grade technology at key industry conferences, host end-user operator training workshops, and publish open implementation guidelines to drive widespread commercial adoption across the industry.

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