Design, Construction and Testing of a Segmented MFL Sensor for Use in the Inspection of Unpiggable Pipelines (#147)

016480092011Final ReportPDFTech ReportDTRS56-05-T-0002InspectionNatural gas pipelinesPipelinesRoboticsSensorsResearch HubGasDesignEnviornmentUnited StatesNYSEARCH/Northeast Gas AssociationD'Zurko, DaphneVradis, GeorgeCarnegie-Mellon University. Robotics InstituteAutomatika Inc.Southwest Research InstituteInvodane EngineeringUnited States. Dept. of Transportation. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety AdministrationNYSEARCH/Northeast Gas AssociationUS Transportation CollectionThe objective of this project was to develop two robotics platforms, named Explorer II and TIGRE, which equipped with Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE) sensors would be able to provide In-line Inspection (ILI) of unpiggable natural gas transmission pipelines. Explorer II is a tool for the inspection of 6\u201d \u2013 8\u201d pipelines with pressures up to 750 psig, using a Remote Field Eddy Current (RFEC) sensor for NDE inspection of the pipeline\u2019s walls. TIGRE is a tool for the inspection of 20\u201d \u2013 26\u201d pipelines with pressures up to 750 psig, using a Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) sensor for NDE inspection of the pipeline\u2019s walls. Both the platforms and the sensors were developed as part of this effort or parallel to this one efforts. Once developed, sensors and platforms were integrated under the auspices of this program and field demonstrated successfully. The Explorer II tool was commercialized at the time that this program ended, while TIGRE required another step in its development effort in order to be completed and commercialized. This additional effort is now under way through a follow up program funded by NYSEARCH/NGA, DOT/PHMSA and OTD. This program has successfully developed the first ever commercial system for the inspection of unpiggable pipelines able to function in pipelines with or without gas flow and in the presence of major obstacles such as short radius and mitered bends, tees, back to back bends and, in the case of TIGRE, plug valves. It is not an exaggeration to state that the technology developed through this program has created a new industry in the US, its size estimated at 75 million dollars per year