Real-Time Active Pipeline Integrity Detection (RAPID) System for Corrosion Detection and Quantification

Abstract : Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) technologies offer a paradigm shift from schedule driven inspection and maintenance to on-demand inspection and Condition Based Maintenance (CBM). Utilizing SMART Layer technology and lamb-wave based damage detection Acellent has developed a Real-time Active Pipeline Integrity Detection (RAPID) system. The RAPID system utilizes a sensor network permanently bonded to the pipeline structure along with in-situ networked hardware and remote access and damage detection programs to provide both scheduled and on-demand monitoring of pipeline structures. Advantages of the RAPID system include: 1) Automated and on-demand inspection of critical areas, 2) Damage localization and quantification, 3) Easy to use interface requiring minimal training. To verify the capabilities of the system a series of tests were performed by Acellent in partnership with Chevron utilizing sections of 8in diameter steel pipes. During the tests a number of different sizes and depths of defects were introduced into the pipeline sections. These tests verified that the RAPID system was effective in detecting the occurrence of corrosion in the pipeline and monitoring its growth over time.