Validation and enhancement of long range guided wave ultrasonic testing: A key technology for DA of buried pipelines

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• Onshore Transmission Pipeline
• Direct Assessment
• Non-destructive Testing/Evaluation

Main Objective

The objective of the proposed (individual) project is to further validate and develop a product that can be used as a screening tool to detect external and internal corrosion and coating defects in gas pipes (with diameters from 2" to 60"). It is particularly useful where traditional DA or inspection technologies cannot be used. Propagation distances are claimed to be on the order of 50 – 100' in each direction from the transducer ring but distances vary based on pipe geometry, coating, content and presence of pipe appurtenances such as valves, tees, etc.

Public Abstract

The proposed project is part of a consolidated R & D program to address the technical challenge that is presented by a significant population of LDC-owned transmission lines in HCAs; un-piggable pipelines and lines that are difficult to inspect because they are in hard-to-reach areas such as pipes that are in casings at highways, river crossings, railroad crossings, etc. The DA strategy for establishing continued pipeline integrity relies on two main factors: 1) the ability to determine the condition of the line where it can be accessed for a local examination, and, 2) a means of inferring the condition of similar or adjacent sections from the limited number of exposed sampling points. The Long Range Guided Wave Ultrasonic (LRUT) technique has the ability to inspect inaccessible lengths of pipe and to directly detect metal loss defects.
The proposed LRUT project builds on the successes of a current DOT/PHMSA project and addresses two areas requiring additional investment: field validation and extending the test range and flaw discrimination capabilities of the LRUT technique in coated pipes. Successful completion of the proposed project will greatly enhance discrimination capabilities when flaws are found and increase confidence and therefore, expand usage of LRUT. This is a consolidated project with Project No 159 and Project No 160.