DescriptionrnThe paper reviews the work of SIG Ltd. to deploy appropriate sensor systems for inspections in pipelines hitherto consideredrnunpiggable.rnApplicationrnMany pipelines cannot be internally inspected because of reductions/changes in ID, extreme angles, 90-degree mitre bends, TandrnY-junctions or simply having access for pigs without a recovery point. They may be empty, gas filled, without flow orrnflow in the "wrong" direction and so large sections are unpiggable.rnSIG's range of high-powered, tethered, brush-tractor crawlers are delivery systems for applications including internalrninspection, cleaning and, later, repair. The first 16" and 10" units of this game-changing technology start operations in Q3/4rn2010 but this innovative drive-system can be configured to power units from 4-6" and to 42" or beyond.rnThe brush-drive system copes with internal pipeline irregularities caused by corrosion, sedimentation and changes in ID.rnArticulated propulsion and sensor-carrying modules allow the vehicle to negotiate 90 deg bends. Only one access point isrnneeded for both insertion and recovery as crawlers can reverse.rnCrawlers are designed as internal pipeline cleaning and delivery systems with extremely high traction (5-20 tonne pull) andrnlong-range capability (4 -8 miles, depending on pipeline geometry). They operate independently of pipeline flow; with thernflow (at the vehicle's own speed), against it and also with no flow in empty pipelines.rnHigh traction power allows them to work in vertical pipelines, allowing examination of risers, and to remain stationary forrnextended periods in any attitude to monitor regions of high stress, such as pipeline touchdown points, over time.rnIntegrated operational payloads carried are designed to best address clients' requirements; multiple sensor packages canrninclude MFL, UT, electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMAT) or other pulsed EM and acoustic systems plus optical/laserrnsystems and so reduce operational time and cost by performing several tests in one single pass.rnResultsrnFull scale field trials/operations start October/November 2010; results will be incorporated into the final paper for OTC 2011.rnSignificancernFull operational capabilities of these vehicles will be detailed in the final paper confirming their usefulness in inspectingrnhitherto unpiggable pipelines.
展开▼
