Aging infrastructure is one of the most pressing issues facing modern society. Critical pipeline infrastructure, which the developed world depends on for daily existence, is significantly aging.
With limited financial resources available to replace this infrastructure, the demand for proactive inspections and condition analysis services has never been higher.
Pipeline Inspection & Condition Analysis Corporation (PICA) leads the way in providing these services, particularly with its advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) solutions such as remote field eddy current testing (RFT). The company’s focus on ensuring the safety, reliability, and longevity of critical pipeline assets makes it a trusted partner for asset managers and pipeline operators globally.
This article provides an integrated discussion of PICA’s service solutions in conjunction with the technical paper titled “Independent Comparison of Electromagnetic Inspection Tools for AWWA C303 Bar-Wrapped Pipe by Blind Verification Testing.” Additionally, it highlights the importance of PICA’s services for pipeline asset managers and why they should rely on PICA’s advanced NDT solutions.
Summary of the Technical Paper
The technical paper “Independent Comparison of Electromagnetic Inspection Tools for AWWA C303 Bar-Wrapped Pipe by Blind Verification Testing,” authored by Murat Engindeniz and Alvin Addisho, explores the effectiveness of electromagnetic (EM) inspection tools for detecting defects in bar-wrapped concrete cylinder pipes (BWP). The two primary EM technologies compared are Remote-Field Technology (RFT) and Near-Field Technology (NFT). PICA’s RFT tool was one of the primary tools evaluated in this study, which is part of its Advanced NDT service solution.
Background of the Study
Bar-wrapped concrete cylinder pipes (BWP), installed across the U.S. since the 1940s, have been degrading, and failures in BWP can have severe consequences. The RFT and NFT technologies are used to inspect and assess the condition of the steel cylinder and reinforcing bars in these pipes. The study aimed to assess the accuracy and effectiveness of these technologies through a blind comparison between different pipeline inspection vendors, including PICA.
Testing and Results
The study involved blind verification testing on two BWP test pipes (30-inch and 36-inch diameter), where defects were introduced into the steel cylinders and reinforcing bars of the pipes. PICA’s RFT tool was used to scan these pipes and identify defects.
- RFT’s Accuracy in Detecting Defects: PICA’s RFT tool showed high resolution in detecting areas of metal loss, graphitic corrosion, and cracks in steel cylinders. It successfully detected larger defects in the steel cylinder, including through-holes and section loss areas.
- Challenges in Detecting Small Defects: For smaller defects, particularly those involving broken reinforcing bars behind thicker steel cylinders, the results indicated that RFT could miss minor damage. However, for thinner cylinders, RFT successfully detected reinforcing bar breaks, indicating that the technology’s resolution improves with thinner steel.
- Calibration and Data Processing: The study emphasized the importance of post-processing and calibration. PICA’s RFT tool demonstrated better circumferential accuracy in defect location than competing technologies, with the study revealing that PICA’s calibration methods effectively aligned defect predictions with actual locations.
Conclusion of the Study
The results showed that PICA’s RFT tool offers a reliable method for detecting significant defects in bar-wrapped concrete pipes. While the study highlighted areas for further refinement in detecting smaller defects, it reinforced the efficacy of RFT as an essential tool for critical pipeline assessments.
Why Asset Managers and Pipeline Operators Should Use PICA’s Services
PICA’s Advanced NDT service solution, based on RFT testing technology, plays a pivotal role in addressing the challenges of aging pipeline infrastructure. For asset managers and pipeline operators responsible for maintaining these essential assets, PICA offers unique benefits that ensure safety, reliability, and cost savings over the long term.
1. Proactive Inspection to Prevent Catastrophic Failures
The aging of critical pipelines poses a significant risk to public safety and service reliability. Many pipelines are well beyond their designed service life, making failures more likely. PICA’s proactive inspection services, particularly its Advanced NDT solution, identify defects before they lead to catastrophic failures. By utilizing RFT tools to detect areas of corrosion, cracks, and metal loss, operators can address problem areas through targeted repairs, preventing large-scale outages and minimizing safety hazards.
For example, in the technical paper discussed, PICA’s RFT tool identified several high-risk defects, such as through-holes and significant section losses. Addressing such defects early can prevent major pipeline failures, which could result in costly repairs, environmental damage, and public safety risks.
2. Extending the Service Life of Pipeline Assets
One of PICA’s core beliefs is that “proactive inspection services ultimately eliminate the need for pipelines to be completely replaced.” This philosophy is particularly relevant in the context of aging infrastructure, where full replacement of pipelines is often financially unfeasible. By offering best-in-class inspection services, PICA helps pipeline operators extend the service life of their assets by identifying defects early and enabling targeted repairs.
PICA’s services allow asset managers to make data-driven decisions on maintenance and repairs. For instance, in the technical paper’s study, PICA’s RFT tool provided accurate integrity assessments that included measurements of wall thickness, wire breaks, and areas of corrosion. These insights enable asset managers to prioritize maintenance efforts and budget effectively.
3. Cost Efficiency
Replacing pipelines can be prohibitively expensive, especially when dealing with large-scale, aging networks. PICA’s solutions provide a more cost-effective alternative by enabling asset managers to repair pipelines selectively, rather than replacing them entirely. The precision of PICA’s inspection technologies ensures that only the most critical sections of the pipeline need to be addressed, reducing unnecessary expenditures.
Additionally, PICA’s free-swimming inspection tools minimize the need for pipeline shutdowns during inspection, further reducing operational costs.
4. High-Resolution and Comprehensive Analysis
PICA’s Advanced NDT solution provides high-resolution, through-transmission cross-sectional measurements of pipeline walls, offering a detailed view of both internal and external areas of damage. This comprehensive analysis allows for more accurate integrity assessments, which are essential for ensuring pipeline safety.
As demonstrated in the technical paper, PICA’s RFT tool offers superior resolution compared to other technologies, making it particularly useful for identifying areas of high stress, cracks, and corrosion in metal pipelines. This level of detail is invaluable for asset managers who need to assess the full extent of pipeline degradation to make informed decisions about repairs.
5. Support for Sustainability Initiatives
In addition to enhancing safety and reliability, PICA’s services contribute to sustainability goals by extending the life of existing pipeline assets. The proactive repair approach minimizes the need for new pipeline construction, reducing the environmental impact associated with manufacturing and installing new pipelines. For pipeline operators seeking to align with sustainability objectives, PICA offers a solution that not only protects infrastructure but also supports long-term environmental goals.
Conclusion
PICA’s Advanced NDT service solution, based on RFT technology, is a critical tool for asset managers and pipeline operators facing the challenges of aging infrastructure. The company’s commitment to innovation and its focus on pressurized and lined pipelines make it a leader in the field of pipeline inspection and condition analysis. By offering high-resolution inspections, proactive repair strategies, and cost-effective solutions, PICA enables operators to maintain safety, reliability, and sustainability in their pipeline networks.
The findings of the technical paper further validate the effectiveness of PICA’s RFT tools in detecting and quantifying pipeline defects. For asset managers, leveraging PICA’s services means making informed decisions based on accurate data, ensuring the continued operation of critical infrastructure in a more sustainable and reliable way.
“Good Decisions Start with Good Information”.