Intrinsically Locatable Technology for Plastic Piping Systems

Overview

Main Objective

The objective is to mitigate third-party pipeline damage via the development of locatable pipe marking systems to allow plastic pipe to be intrinsically locatable. Most gas distribution pipe being installed today is PE pipe using tracer wire for locating the buried piping materials. These wires are susceptible to breakage, rendering the plastic material undetectable. Due to its locatability, the pipe marking system being developed reduces the risk of third party damage.

Public Abstract

Objectives: The objective is to develop and test a viable solution for intrinsically locatable polyethylene (PE) materials with an integral electronic marking system. The project will complete the development, define and test the electronic marker capability, validate the attachment design, and perform laboratory and field testing. Operations Technology Development, NFP (OTD) plans to partner with Gas Technology Institute (GTI), 3M Company, and a large pipe manufacturer for this project. 3M will develop the electronic markers and work with the pipe manufacturer to attach the marker to the PE pipe. GTI will provide third party testing and analysis of the developed system. Methodology: Electronic markers are detectable passive devices that do not use any batteries. They include electrical or mechanical resonators. Resonators can be energized by an above-ground transceiver (or portable locator) which causes them to generate their own magnetic field at their resonant frequency. The precise location of a buried electronic marker is indicated by the portable locator's display and sound output. Marking buried plastic pipe with an electronic marker gives a unique detection signature for each utility by frequency selection, gives near continuous location detection of the pipe path, and allows the estimation of the depth to the pipe.

Summary and Conclusions

The research team has developed an integrated electronic marker that will provide locatability to coiled or "stick" polyethylene pipes for gas and other utility applications with a variety of sized plastic pipes. The team has assessed the technology's capability versus pipe diameter and pipe burial methods (horizontal directional drilling, open trench, etc.) in the lab and simulated field conditions. Based on the successful outcome of these evaluations, the team worked with 10 natural gas utilities across the US to further evaluate the locatable PE pipe in various field and climate environments and using common installation methods (open trench, directional drilling, and plowing), demonstrating the advantages of an intrinsically locatable plastic pipe.

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