Faced with unique requirements, the NDT Global team worked closely with the operatorAn entity or organization responsible for the operation, management, and maintenance of a pipeline system. The operator is entrusted with ensuring the safe, rel… to review the specific ART Scan configurations that would address the inspectionThe systematic process of visually examining, testing, or monitoring pipeline components to assess their condition, integrity, and compliance with regulatory re… goals.

A custom tool configuration was then developed based on field-proven ART Scan components, including sensors, data acquisition, pressure vessel, and power supply that could withstand the demanding operating conditions. Each componentAny physical part of the pipeline, other than line pipe, including but not limited to valves, welds, tees, flanges, fittings, taps, branch connections, outlets,… was rigorously tested individually, followed by further testing of the full assembly during factory acceptance testing.

To enable data storage for the full length of this pipeline, a system-wide upgrade of the digital electronics was needed. A state-of-the-art digital data storage upgrade was deployed, combined with system on chip (SoC) data capture and processing. Not only was this new data system capable of handling larger volumes of data, these new boards also consume less power and support future technological developments.

Since the operatorAn entity or organization responsible for the operation, management, and maintenance of a pipeline system. The operator is entrusted with ensuring the safe, rel… only required geometry information about this pipeline, the ART sensor operation was slightly modified.

Instead of a frequency sweep (or chirp) to activate resonances in the pipe wall, a shorter signal can be used to provide a pulse-echo reading.

This reading reflects the stand-offThe distance between a pipeline and external objects or structures. This measure of the separation maintained between the pipeline and other elements ensures sa… between the sensor and the pipeline’s internal surface, which is derived from the time-of-flight information. The pulse-echo signal provides high-accuracy geometry signal which is not affected by tool speed or the dynamic behavior of a sensor arm as used by mechanical caliper tools.

The collection of stand-off readings was used to virtually re-position the ILI tool to the center of the pipeline and accurately report any out-of-roundness, dents, and deformations which exceeds measurement specifications.

ART Scan tools are typically deployed on a wheeled suspension system to ensure centralization and rotation of the tool. Given the large diameter of the tool, the calculated load on each wheel would exceed earlier deployments. For this reason, a new wheel design was developed and subjected to full-scale load testing, simulating the full length of the pipeline and even severe girth weldA girth weld is a type of weld used in pipelines to join two sections of pipe together circumferentially. It is commonly used in the construction of long-distan… protrusions.

The testing concluded that the wheels showed no signs of wear even though the testing program was designed to be much more severe than the actual run conditions. The wheels have demonstrated their reliability and durability during long runs (more than 900 km) in multiple inspections with no signs of wear on the wheel tread or bearings.