Validation of EMAT ILI for Management of Stress Corrosion Cracking in Natural Gas Pipelines

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toby Fore ◽  
Stefan Klein ◽  
Chris Yoxall ◽  
Stan Cone
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Stress Corrosion ◽  
Stress Corrosion Cracking ◽  
Corrosion Cracking ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
Gas Pipelines ◽  
Line Pipe ◽  
Natural Gas Pipelines ◽  
Electro Magnetic

Managing the threat of Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) in natural gas pipelines continues to be an area of focus for many operating companies with potentially susceptible pipelines. This paper describes the validation process of the high-resolution Electro-Magnetic Acoustical Transducer (EMAT) In-Line Inspection (ILI) technology for detection of SCC prior to scheduled pressure tests of inspected line pipe valve sections. The validation of the EMAT technology covered the application of high-resolution EMAT ILI and determining the Probability Of Detection (POD) and Identification (POI). The ILI verification process is in accordance to a API 1163 Level 3 validation. It is described in detail for 30″ and 36″ pipeline segments. Both segments are known to have an SCC history. Correlation of EMAT ILI calls to manual non-destructive measurements and destructively tested SCC samples lead to a comprehensive understanding of the capabilities of the EMAT technology and the associated process for managing the SCC threat. Based on the data gathered, the dimensional tool tolerances in terms of length and depth are derived.

Validation of EMAT Technology for Gas Pipeline Crack Inspection

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Kania ◽  
Stefan Klein ◽  
Jim Marr ◽  
Gabriela Rosca ◽  
Elvis SanJuan Riverol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Crack Detection ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
Viable Alternative ◽  
Gas Pipelines ◽  
Validation Process ◽  
Natural Gas Pipelines ◽  
Initial Application ◽  
History Of ◽  
Electro Magnetic

The use of the Electro-Magnetic Acoustical Transducer (EMAT) technology for crack detection by In-Line Inspection (ILI) tools has increased over the last few years. Rigorous validation of the technology leading from the initial application of EMAT inline inspection tools through to determining Probability of Detection (POD) and Identification (POI) has contributed to improved confidence and reliability. EMAT results are being utilized to determine SCC valve section severity, to review and modify hydrostatic test schedules and intervals and could potentially be implemented as a viable alternative to hydrostatic testing. This paper describes the development of an EMAT ILI based program and the related validation process applied by the vendor, pipeline operator and in-ditch personnel. This process is illustrated by demonstrating the performance of the EMAT tool in two 20″ diameter natural gas pipelines which have a documented history of SCC. The tool identified hundreds of features in the two pipelines which were validated both in the ditch and via detailed anomaly sizing.

Overcoming Challenges of EMAT Inline Inspection Validation for SCC Management in Natural Gas Pipelines: A Practical Approach

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jake Phlipot ◽  
Stephen Rapp ◽  
Daniel Whaley ◽  
Kevin Spencer ◽  
Dan Williams
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Stress Corrosion Cracking ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Shared Knowledge ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Gas Pipelines ◽  
Natural Gas Pipelines ◽  
Industry Research ◽  
Acoustic Transducer ◽  
Electro Magnetic

Abstract Pipeline operators rely on a variety of tools and technologies to manage threats to their pipeline assets. For natural gas pipelines, the management of Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) has benefited from the introduction and evolution of in-line inspection (ILI) technologies, specifically Electro-Magnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) technology, that can reliably detect, identify and size cracking anomalies. Since its introduction in the early 2000’s, the performance of EMAT technology has been evaluated and documented through many industry research projects and published articles that describe operational experiences. This paper builds upon that body of shared knowledge to provide an update of observed EMAT performance on a gas transmission system that has undergone extensive EMAT ILI assessments, on a large number of pipeline segments, with a specific focus on the practical strategies employed to overcome the challenges unique to EMAT ILI validation. Practical insights into effectively using EMAT ILI validated data as a key input to the SCC management plan are thereby provided.

scholarly journals Correlation Between the Resistance to Stress Corrosion Cracking of Steel Tubes of Gas Pipelines with Their Layerwise Texture Inhomogeneity

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 179
Author(s):  
Y A Perlovich ◽  
I V Ryakhovskikh ◽  
M G Isaenkova ◽  
O A Krymskaya ◽  
N S Morozov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Corrosion ◽  
Stress Corrosion Cracking ◽  
Corrosion Cracking ◽  
Gas Pipelines ◽  
Steel Tubes ◽  
Resistance To Stress

.

High-resolution, in-situ, tomographic observations of stress corrosion cracking

2008 ◽  
pp. 439-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.J. Marrow ◽  
L. Babout ◽  
B.J. Connolly ◽  
D. Engelberg ◽  
G. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Stress Corrosion ◽  
Stress Corrosion Cracking ◽  
Corrosion Cracking

Insights into Stress Corrosion Cracking Mechanisms from High-Resolution Measurements of Crack-tip Structures and Compositions

2010 ◽  
Vol 1264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Michael Bruemmer ◽  
Larry Thomas
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Stress Corrosion ◽  
Stress Corrosion Cracking ◽  
Corrosion Cracking ◽  
Common Mechanism ◽  
Crack Advance ◽  
Oxidation Reactions ◽  
Intergranular Stress Corrosion ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Crack Tips

AbstractResults are presented employing cross-sectional analytical transmission electron microscopy (ATEM) to examine intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC) of austenitic stainless alloys in high-temperature water environments. Microstructural, chemical and crystallographic characterization of buried interfaces at near-atomic resolutions is used to investigate corrosion/oxidation reactions, composition changes and deformation events at crack tips. Information obtained by a wide variety of high-resolution imaging and analysis methods indicates the processes occurring during crack advance and provides insights into the mechanisms controlling SCC. Examples of crack tips produced in oxidizing and hydrogenated water are presented for both Fe-base stainless steels (SSs) and Ni-base stainless alloys. Cracks in SSs show similar characteristics in both environments, with oriented oxide films at crack walls and cracks ending in few-nm-wide tips. Many of these same features are seen for alloy 182 in oxidizing water suggesting a common mechanism, generally consistent with a slip oxidation process. A distinct difference is seen at alloy 600 and alloy 182 tips produced in hydrogenated water. Penetrative attack along grain boundaries without evidence for significant plastic deformation is believed to indicate a major role of active-path corrosion/oxidation in the SCC process.

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