Pipe Line Inspection Tools

You must inspect your pipelines to guard against leaks and seepage.

You should inspect your pipelines regularly for cracks and blockages, which could cause leaks or water seepage. Specialty tools help you find unseen fractures or leaks, and these tools even internally navigate through your pipes to locate any blockages. Generally, these products are for commercial markets, but consumers can rent them to inspect their pipes as well.

Crack Detection

Crack detection systems help you find cracks in your pipe even if you cannot see them. According to GE Energy, stress, corrosion and fatigue cracks are the most common types of cracks. Crack detection scanners look over the complete length of your pipe and find extremely small fissures. GE's UltraScan CD can detect cracks less than 0.1 mm wide, as shallow as 30 mm long and 1 mm deep. This system is compatible with different types of pipelines, and you can purchase this system directly from the company.

Leak Detection

If you suspect that you have a pipeline leak, then you need a leak detection tool. These devices use acoustic waves, which are sent down the length of your pipe. These waves are reflected back to the tool, and it analyzes the patterns of these reflected waves. It can determine whether you have a leak or blockage based on these patterns. You can let this device run on a continual basis or only during inspection periods. If you suspect that you already have a leak, then you can use this tool to confirm the suspicion.

Scanner

The pipeline scanner is a set of two wide-angle cameras, and these cameras are installed on the back and front of a moving machine. As the machine moves through the pipeline, it takes still images of the pipe. The machine has four wheels, and it has a flash system to ensure that the images are properly lit. The images also do not suffer from blur because of movement. This system, designed for large pipes, helps you find blockages and cracks.

Pipeline Pig

A pipeline pig moves throughout your pipe via product flow. The three main types of pipeline pigs are in-line inspection, utility and gel. The in-line inspection pigs provide you with information on the overall condition of your pipeline, and the utility pigs help you clear debris from your line. The gel pigs help you dry out or remove water from your line.

References

• GE Energy: Crack Detection
• PE: Acoustek® - Pipeline Blockage Detection Tool
• RapidView IBAK: PANORAMO® 3D Optical Pipeline Scanner
• Pigging Products and Services Association: About Pigs

Resources

• NDT Resource Center: Pipeline Inspection
• PSNC Energy: Pipeline Safety Program
• ASCE: Inspecting Pipeline Installation