Saturday, July 19, 2014

PIGGING - Pipeline Inspection & Safety





PIGGING - PIPELINE INSPECTION AND SAFETY
"Smart pigs are intelligent robotic devices that are propelled down pipelines to evaluate the interior of the pipe."pipeline_inspection_tool

IN LINE INSPECTION (ILI) - SMART PIGS

“Inline inspection (ILI) tools, also referred to as smart or intelligent pigs, are devices 
that are propelled by the product in the pipeline and are used to detect 
and characterize metal loss caused by corrosion.

ILI tool launchers and receivers must be added to the pipeline. 
They are the most widely accepted method of inspection of pipelines due to its ability to measure wall thickness with near 100 percent coverage of the pipe inspected. 

Present regulations are focused on pipelines in “high-consequence areas” (HCAs)...because of a high-population density or a great environmental impact.”

Source:
"In order to ensure the efficient and safe operation of the extensive network 
of natural gas pipelines, pipeline companies routinely inspect their pipelines 
for corrosion and defects. This is done through the use of sophisticated pieces 
of equipment known as ‘smart pigs.’ 

Smart pigs are intelligent robotic devices that are propelled down pipelines
 to evaluate the interior of the pipe. 


Smart pigs can test pipe thickness, and roundness, 

check for signs of corrosion, detect minute leaks, 

and any other defect along the interior of the pipeline 
that may either impede the flow of gas, 
or pose a potential safety risk to the operation of the pipeline. 

Sending a smart pig down a pipeline 

is fittingly known as ‘pigging’ the pipeline.


Source: Natural Gas - Transport - Pipeline Inspection & Safety


In-Line Inspection (Smart Pigs)

“Inline inspection (ILI) tools, also referred to as smart or intelligent pigs, are devices 
that are propelled by the product in the pipeline and are used to detect and characterie metal loss caused by corrosion.”
There are two primary types of ILI tools: magnetic flux leakage (MFL) tools 
and ultrasonic tools (UT). The more advanced ILI tools (high-resolution tools) 
are capable of discriminating between internal and external corrosion. 
MFL tools measure the change in magnetic flux lines produced by the defect and produces a signal that can be correlated to the length and depth of a defect.
In recent years, the magnetics, data storage, and signal interpretation 
have improved, resulting in improved mapping of the flaw and a decrease 
in the number of unnecessary excavations. 
The high-resolution MFL tool is typically capable of readily detecting corrosion
pits with a diameter greater than three times the wall thickness. 
Once detected, these tools can typically size the depth of the corrosion within +10 
percent of the wall thickness with an 80 percent level of confidence. 
The MFL tool can be used to inspect either liquid products pipelines or natural 
gas pipelines. 
UT tools utilize large arrays of ultrasonic transducers to send and receive soundwaves that travel through the wall thickness, permitting a detailed mapping of the pipe wall. UT tools can indicate whether the wall loss is internal or external. The typical resolution of a UT tool is +10 percent of the pipe wall thickness with an 80 percent level of confidence. UT tools are typically used in products pipelines (e.g., crude oil, gasoline, etc.) since the product in the pipeline is used as the required couplant for the ultrasonic sensors. This tool can be used to inspect natural gas pipelines, but requires introducing a liquid (i.e., water) into the pipeline for transporting the ILI tool through the line. 
Source: DNVUSA - GAS & LIQUID TRANSMISSIN PIPELINES
By Neil G. Baker




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