for Jafurah Project Sulfur Pipelines
FEATURED PAPER
By Nasser Mohammed Altamimi
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), New York, USA
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Temperature control and heat sensing of pipelines have always been critical challenges for the oil and gas industry, especially when precise operation is essential to maintain plant operations. This is specifically true in the case of molten sulfur lines, where its characteristics vary significantly with changes such as sulfur solidification in pipelines at low temperature. Recent advancements in temperature sensing and pipeline heating systems have been addressing these challenges, and one of the latest technologies in the market is the skin effect heating system with temperature sensing using fiber optic technology. Using the fiber optic as the temperature sensors is a main factor in this system. The fiber optics utilize the optical properties of the cable to measure temperature, which eliminates the need to have the sensing element in direct contact with the process. This makes this technology ideal for molten sulfur transfer lines. The fiber optic temperature sensing is part of the Skin-Effect Tracing System, which provides the temperature reading to adjust the electrical heating. This technology offers several benefits such as eliminating the need to provide temperature sensing inside the pipeline, and the use of fiber optic sensors allows for more accurate and reliable temperature readings to ensure the safe and reliable transportation of molten sulfur. Additionally, the closed-loop temperature controlling will improve the operation reliability by applying an optimum cost-effective heating system.
Overall, the skin effect heating system with fiber optic temperature sensing technology represents a significant advancement in temperature control and pipeline heating systems for the oil and gas industry. Its ability to provide precise temperature control, prevent pipeline failures, and reduce energy costs makes it a reliable and cost-effective solution for molten sulfur transfer lines.
Keywords: Fiber optic, Sulfur, pipelines, DTS, STS, Skin-effect, heating, GUI,
- Introduction
Pipelines transporting molten sulfur face a unique set of operational challenges due to the material’s sensitivity to temperature variations. Sulfur must remain above its melting point throughout transport to prevent solidification, which can cause blockages, disrupt flow, and require costly maintenance interventions. This creates a critical need for heating systems that not only maintain sufficient temperature uniformly over long distances but also allow operators to monitor thermal conditions accurately along the entire pipeline. Traditional approaches, such as steam tracing and conventional electric resistance heating combined with discrete temperature sensors, have been used extensively but are limited in their ability to provide comprehensive, real-time temperature profiles. These methods often rely on point measurements, which can leave undetected cold spots and result in inefficient energy use. Recent technological advances have made it possible to integrate skin-effect electric heating with distributed fiber optic temperature sensing. This integration offers new opportunities for maintaining uniform temperatures and enables continuous monitoring of thermal performance along every segment of the pipeline. As a result, operators gain better control, improved safety, and the potential for significant reductions in energy consumption and maintenance costs.
This paper examines the heating and monitoring requirements specific to molten sulfur pipelines, evaluates the limitations of conventional technologies, and explores the principles and expected advantages of combining skin-effect heating with fiber optic distributed temperature sensing as an integrated solution.
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How to cite this work: Altamimi, N. M. (2025). Fiber Optic Temperature Control for Jafurah Project Sulfur Pipelines, PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue X, October. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/pmwj157-Oct2025-Altamimi-Fiber-Optic-Temprature-Control-for-Jafurah-Project.pdf
About the Author
Nasser Altamimi
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Nasser Altamimi is an Associate Engineer in the Jafurah Gas Project, specializing in control and instrumentation systems. He is part of the Control and Instrumentation team and serves as the champion of the Central Control Building and the Process Interface Building for the Sulfur Recovery Unit Train. Nasser holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s of science in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Control Systems and Instrumentation from Rochester Institute of Technology, graduating in 2019. He has five years of industry experience, starting his career as an Energy Efficiency Engineer at the Ministry of Commerce before joining the Jafurah Gas Project in 2022. He holds NEBOSH and OSHA certifications and is a member of the Saudi Council of Engineers.
He can be contacted at natamimi1@gmail.com
