Lifetime testing of passive, wireless sensors for demanding environments

"Inductosense is a spin-out from the Ultrasonics and Non-Destructive Testing Group at the University of Bristol. We have developed compact, wireless, battery-free sensors for monitoring corrosion or erosion in pipework. Our technology enables anyone to take the data from the sensors quickly (or a robotic vehicle to take the data) and for the data to be digitised and remotely analysed. The sensors also work underneath layers of material, such as coatings or cladding, eliminating the need to remove the layer from the pipe before taking a measurement.

Inductosense has generated traction in the Oil&Gas industry and now has sensors deployed world-wide on onshore structures such as chemical plants, gas plants and refineries. We are getting lots of interest now in whether our sensors could be applied sub-sea - eg to structures such as risers, sub-sea pipeline. In these more demanding environments it would not be so easy to replace a sensor if it were to fail, so a long lifetime (ideally matching that of the structure) is essential. We want to understand what the lifetime of our sensors could be in such a harsh environment and also be able to tailor our sensors and technology to be suited to it."