Simplify Pipeline Corrosion Inspection with NDT Technology
Corrosion can occur within pipelines located both above and below the ground. Conducting a pipeline corrosion inspection—whether in the field, at an oil and gas refinery, or coming out of the ground—can be tedious. Technicians need to be able to inspect all pipes quickly and easily.
That’s where nondestructive testing comes in. Nondestructive testing (NDT)—specifically ultrasonic testing (UT)—can help simplify pipeline corrosion inspection by being fast, easy-to-use, and thorough. Depending on the variation, UT can detect active or passive corrosion, among many other problematic corrosive anomalies. However, it is important that technicians leverage the proper tools and equipment for pipeline corrosion inspection accuracy.
The Challenges of Pipeline Corrosion Inspection
Perhaps the primary challenge of pipeline corrosion inspection is the contrast between the endless surface and subsurface areas of the pipes and the microscopic nature of the corrosion. Corrosion, in its early stages, is naked to the human eye. And, if the proper equipment isn’t used, it can be missed.
This challenge often manifests itself in manual testing. Automatic testing can be rigorous and thorough, with incredible precision, but it is also costly, difficult, hard to replicate over large scales, and doesn’t always come with a positive ROI. Manual testing can be enacted over the scales the job demands, but without the right equipment, it can be time-consuming and physically-challenging, which makes it harder to take consistently effective tests.
Without confidence in pipeline corrosion inspection techniques, it can be easy to engage in several cost-detrimental behaviors, including:
- redundant and excessive testing
- non-preventative maintenance
- misallocation of resources
In order to avoid this, NDT for corrosion detection has to be able to reveal corrosion, pitting, and erosion. It has to give a full picture that can replicate results across the entire pipeline network being tested. Technicians need the proper tools and equipment to be confident in the accuracy of the results.
Leveraging the Right Tools and Equipment for Pipeline Corrosion Inspection
It takes the right software, instrument, scanner, and probes to adjust to the curvature and surface of a pipeline—not every NDT solution is suited for the job. An ill-positioned scanner or probe can cause alignment issues, resulting in flawed data that doesn’t paint a comprehensive picture of the asset. Further, maladjustment can lead to missed areas that could harbor harmful indications.
Another issue arises when a conventional scanner only provides a limited X-Y area over two axes. Many basic scanners cannot conform to smaller curved contours.
To comprehensively scan an object, analysts require a powerful solution that probes all types of surfaces. This makes flexible, adaptive equipment such as paintbrush scanners particularly ideal for corrosion mapping—especially when they come equipped with advanced UT instruments and software that can streamline the inspection process.
When it comes to NDT for corrosion detection, choose an ultrasonic testing solution that includes a scanner. UT—specifically phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT)—offers the performance and portability that technicians need in the field.
Portable PAUT instruments can offer many benefits, including:
- high resolution
- responsive touchscreen
- adaptable, powerful testing capabilities
PAUT instrumentation has to be combined with the right probes and wedges in order to give operators the precision they require.
| Example: a pipeline operator working in a downstream facility is inspecting connections between the pipeline and storage tanks for natural gas. This creates irregular surfaces at the connection, requiring consistent recalibration to account for unusual shapes and variations in thickness. By employing a combination of probes and a paintbrush scanner, the operator can account for different surfaces. The instrumentation can quickly adapt to different techniques without compromising integrity. |
When leveraging a UT system for pipeline corrosion inspection, you have enhanced technical capabilities. This can include some of the following features:
- advanced PAUT and Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) capabilities
- focal law calculator with visual feedback
- support for 2D matrix arrays in pulse-echo, pitch and catch or multiprobe configurations
- live Total Focusing Method (TFM) capabilities for higher resolution performance
By leveraging the proper equipment and tools, technicians can overcome the challenges inherent in pipeline corrosion inspection. Being able to inspect pipelines with confidence can help avoid shutdowns, preserve man-hours, better allocate resources, and save money.
Zetec is a major provider of portable phased array ultrasonic NDT technology to simplify pipeline corrosion inspection. Contact us today to get the best equipment and the top solutions for your industry needs.