Paper cut leads to pipeline clue

Ian McEwan was inspired during a train journey

A lecturer has developed a system for detecting and plugging leaks in pipelines which could save the oil and water industries millions of pounds.

It is based on the way the human body naturally stops wounds bleeding.

Ian McEwan, from Aberdeen, got a paper cut while reading a research document on a train and had a "Eureka" moment.

He has developed a way of introducing artificial platelets to pipelines that mimic those in blood which congeal around a cut to stem the flow.

The analogy with the human body only takes it so far and we then had to actually adapt that so it could function in a pressurised pipeline Dr Ian McEwan

The University of Aberdeen lecturer cut his finger and wondered if the way the body stops bleeding could translate to industry.

Tiny particles in blood called platelets congeal around a cut and this stems the flow.

Dr McEwan and his team have now come up with a method of introducing artificial platelets into a pipeline. These are drawn into any leak and seal it up.

He said: "I was travelling on a train from Aberdeen down to Glasgow and was sitting reading about the problems of the UK water industry when I cut my finger on a piece of paper.

'Sealing leaks'

"Somewhat ironically, I was sitting looking out of the window with my bleeding finger, when it occurred to me that the human body makes a wonderful job of sealing its own leaks and wondered if there was any possibility of doing the same thing in pipelines."

Mr McEwan said putting the theory into practice proved to be the biggest stumbling block.

"The analogy with the human body only takes it so far and we then had to actually adapt that so it could function in a pressurised pipeline," he added.

A platelet is a mechanical object which is made out of a polymer. It is moulded and shaped in such a way that the fluid mechanics around the leak will pull the platelet into the leak. The platelet then blocks the leak.

'Commercial possibilities'

"Once there, it's important that the platelet has the strength to resist the pressure forces of the fluid in the pipe and they're designed to hold these forces and calculations are made to ensure they can do that," Dr McEwan said.

A company has been set up to develop the idea and it has already attracted investment from major North Sea oil firms.

Analysts say the invention has huge potential across a range of industries, preventing expensive losses and protecting the environment.

Jim Davis, from Scottish Enterprise, said the development could be huge.

"This is absolutely ground-breaking technology and no one has come up with anything vaguely approaching this in the past and the commercial possibilities are limitless," he said.