United States Department of Transportation
i
Development of High-Performance Gas-Coupled Ultrasonic Transducers for Inspection of Unpiggable Natural Gas Pipelines
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2020-02-07
[PDF-3.48 MB]
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Edition:Final Report, September 30, 2016 – September 29, 2019
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Abstract:Objectives: New dry-coupled ultrasonic transducer (UT) techniques will be investigated to determine feasibility for in-line inspection in unpiggable gas pipelines, especially for wall loss measurements. This novel technology will produce more accurate, higher-temperature resistant UT probes and have additional uses in inspection for wall loss and cracks in liquid pipelines. The accurate wall thickness data can be fed into API 579 Fitness for Service (FFS) analysis, or failure criteria such as ASME B31G or RSTRENG to allow calculation of remaining wall strength. A 90% probability of detection is targeted at 800 PSIG and a two inch standoff. These tools will contribute to assessment of pipeline integrity, risk assessment and materials evaluation. Methodology: Qi2 has conducted a preliminary development of innovative single crystals, which can enable high efficiency transducers that were previously technologically unfeasible. Single crystal transducer prototypes have shown an efficiency improvement of 3x on both send and receive over ceramics, resulting in an order of magnitude increase in system sensitivity. They will be used to determine the feasibility of UT wall thickness measurement in a gas pipeline with no liquid couplant and reduced gas pressures within the limits of most existing pipelines.
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