EVO Series 1.0-Latest Generation of UT Crack and Corrosion Tools For High Speed Pipeline Inspection

摘要

Intelligent inline inspections (ILI) are widely used to guarantee a safe operation of pipelines. The inline inspection provides reliable data in an economic way. Ultrasonic (UT) is currently the most accurate and reliable In-Line Inspection technology available in the market. These UT ILL Tools record data while travelling through the entire pipeline from Launcher to Receiver. In most cases, the Pipeline Operator does not need to make major adjustments to their pipeline. Nevertheless, pipeline operators may have to adjust medium flow rates to accommodate optimum inline inspection conditions, e.g. down to lm/s. NDT Global recently introduced the latest generation of UT tools-EVO SERIES 1.0. This generation offers inspection velocities of up to 4m/s. These high speed tools overcome reduction of flow rates for intelligent inspection runs. In addition, these high speed tools also offer the highest axial resolution available at the market (0.75mm) and circumferential resolution of 4mm, providing excellent input for accurate pressure calculations, e.g. based on Riverbottom and crack depth profiles or even 3D Finite element modeling. The authors will present basic background information about ultrasound inspection technologies. Theoretical aspects of EVO Series 1.0 tools are discussed for crack and wall thickness inspections followed by a case study performed in a real pipeline. Furthermore, EVO generation offers capabilities of combining different technologies in one tool. One single inspection tool with corrosion and crack transducers enables pipeline operators to operate their system safely with a minimized impact from ILI.