This tracer, in the form of methyl bromide gas, is readily soluble in petroleum products (such as crude oil, diesel, gasoline, kerosene) and is injected at the beginning of the pipeline
The gas mixes with the petroleum products inside the pipeline, forming a homogeneous solution. As it flows through the pipeline, if there are leaks in any section, the radioactive bromine dissolved in the petroleum escapes along with the leaking product and permeates the surrounding soil
Approximately half an hour after tracer injection, the PIG leak detection device enters the pipeline through the relevant chamber. It travels along with the petroleum products, measuring and recording the pipeline’s background radiation according to the system’s software program. If a leak is present in any section, the device records the radiation data as counts in the corresponding channel and stores it in its memory. The device then proceeds to the end section of the pipeline, the trap
At this point, the leak detection device is removed from the trap, its data is transferred to a computer, and the analysis of the information to pinpoint the leak location begins