Using Computer Software to Simulate AC Interference and Mitigation Measures of Buried Pipelines

Due to rapid development of HVAC transmission lines, AC electric railways and oil and gas pipelines, these lines will inevitably cross or lie parallel to each other. At these positions, pipelines will be subject to serious interferences. In most situations, only the results of an interference are detectable, with no clue as to what caused the problem. This paper presents a new method designed to solve AC interference. When the interference source cannot be determined, AC voltages of buried pipelines are first measured and the AC interference is simulated. Furthermore, a mitigation method is built using computer software. After mitigation devices are installed on the pipeline, AC voltages are simulated once more and compared with field-measured values. The result shows that the simulated AC interference and the subsequent mitigation method built with computer software are more efficient.