26-11-2012, 06:36 PM
ROBOTIC SYSTEMS FOR INSPECTION AND EXPLORATION
[attachment=41268]
The pipelines are the major tools for the transportation of fuel oils,
gas, drinkable water and effluent water. A lot of troubles caused by
piping networks aging, corrosion, cracks, and mechanical damages
are possible, so continuous activities for inspection, maintenance and
repair are strongly demanded. These specific operations as inspection,
maintenance, cleaning a.s.o. are expansive thus the application of
the robots appears to be one of the most attractive solutions at this time.
The inspection of pipes may be relevant for improving security and
efficiency in industrial plants too.
Millions of miles of pipeline carrying everything from water to crude oil. The pipe is vulnerable to attack by internal and external corrosion, cracking, third party damage and manufacturing flaws. If a pipeline carrying water springs a leak bursts, it can be a problem but it usually doesn't harm the environment. However, if a petroleum or chemical pipeline leaks, it can be a environmental disaster. When a pipeline is built, inspection personnel may use visual, X-ray, magnetic particle, ultrasonic and other inspection methods to evaluate the welds and ensure that they are of high quality. Once the pipe is buried, it is undesirable to dig it up for any reason.
The in-pipe robots are an integration
of mechanical, electrical and software subsystems, supporting one or
more sensorial elements for measuring the pipe’s overall state and
structural integrity. One of the main subsystems in such inspection
mobile systems is the mobile platform that carries the sensing and
explorative end of the tool. The robots with flexible structure may
boast adaptability to the operating environment, especially to the pipe
diameter, with enhanced dexterity, maneuverability, capability to
operate under hostile conditions.
So, how do you detect the buried pipeline? Engineers have developed devices, called pigs, that are sent through the buried pipe to perform inspections and clean the pipe. If you're standing near a pipeline, vibrations can be felt as these pigs move through the pipeline. The pigs are about the same diameter of the pipe so they range in size from small to huge. The pigs are carried through the pipe by the flow of the liquid or gas and can travel and perform inspections over very large distances. They may be put into the pipe line on one end and taken out at the other. The pigs carry a small computer to collect, store and transmit the data for analysis. Pigs use several nondestructive testing methods to perform the inspections. Most pigs use a magnetic flux leakage method but some also use ultrasound to perform the inspections. The pig shown to the left and below uses magnetic flux leakage. A strong magnetic field is established in the pipe wall using either magnets or by injecting electrical current into the steel. Damaged areas of the pipe can not support as much magnetic flux as undamaged areas so magnetic flux leaks out of the pipe wall at the damaged areas. An array of sensor around the circumference of the pig detects the magnetic flux leakage and notes the area of damage. Pigs that use ultrasound, have an array of transducers that emits a high frequency sound pulse perpendicular to the pipe wall and receives echo signals from the inner surface and the outer surface of the pipe. The tool measures the time interval between the arrival of a reflected echos from inner surface and outer surface to calculate the wall thickness. On some pipelines it is easier to use remote visual inspection equipment to assess the condition of the pipe. Robotic crawlers of all shapes and sizes have been developed to navigate the pipe. The video signal is typically fed to a truck where an operator reviews the images and controls the robot.
Industrial Pipe Cleaning
EA Services Inc. provides pipe cleaning and tube cleaning services including high pressure cleaning, robotic pipe cleaning, and specialized large pipe cleaning for industrial, commercial and residential piping systems.
Over time, pipes can collect debris, waste, root masses, calcite deposits, and other blockages, and employing the proper pipeline cleaning techniques is critical to pipeline rehabilitation.
EA Services Inc. pipeline cleaning removes deposits of many varieties from inside industrial pipes with minimum damage to the pipe. Our specialized techniques and pipe cleaning equipment for industrial pipes and sewer and drain pipes result in increased flows, improved productivity and reduced buildup.
[attachment=41268]
The pipelines are the major tools for the transportation of fuel oils,
gas, drinkable water and effluent water. A lot of troubles caused by
piping networks aging, corrosion, cracks, and mechanical damages
are possible, so continuous activities for inspection, maintenance and
repair are strongly demanded. These specific operations as inspection,
maintenance, cleaning a.s.o. are expansive thus the application of
the robots appears to be one of the most attractive solutions at this time.
The inspection of pipes may be relevant for improving security and
efficiency in industrial plants too.
Millions of miles of pipeline carrying everything from water to crude oil. The pipe is vulnerable to attack by internal and external corrosion, cracking, third party damage and manufacturing flaws. If a pipeline carrying water springs a leak bursts, it can be a problem but it usually doesn't harm the environment. However, if a petroleum or chemical pipeline leaks, it can be a environmental disaster. When a pipeline is built, inspection personnel may use visual, X-ray, magnetic particle, ultrasonic and other inspection methods to evaluate the welds and ensure that they are of high quality. Once the pipe is buried, it is undesirable to dig it up for any reason.
The in-pipe robots are an integration
of mechanical, electrical and software subsystems, supporting one or
more sensorial elements for measuring the pipe’s overall state and
structural integrity. One of the main subsystems in such inspection
mobile systems is the mobile platform that carries the sensing and
explorative end of the tool. The robots with flexible structure may
boast adaptability to the operating environment, especially to the pipe
diameter, with enhanced dexterity, maneuverability, capability to
operate under hostile conditions.
So, how do you detect the buried pipeline? Engineers have developed devices, called pigs, that are sent through the buried pipe to perform inspections and clean the pipe. If you're standing near a pipeline, vibrations can be felt as these pigs move through the pipeline. The pigs are about the same diameter of the pipe so they range in size from small to huge. The pigs are carried through the pipe by the flow of the liquid or gas and can travel and perform inspections over very large distances. They may be put into the pipe line on one end and taken out at the other. The pigs carry a small computer to collect, store and transmit the data for analysis. Pigs use several nondestructive testing methods to perform the inspections. Most pigs use a magnetic flux leakage method but some also use ultrasound to perform the inspections. The pig shown to the left and below uses magnetic flux leakage. A strong magnetic field is established in the pipe wall using either magnets or by injecting electrical current into the steel. Damaged areas of the pipe can not support as much magnetic flux as undamaged areas so magnetic flux leaks out of the pipe wall at the damaged areas. An array of sensor around the circumference of the pig detects the magnetic flux leakage and notes the area of damage. Pigs that use ultrasound, have an array of transducers that emits a high frequency sound pulse perpendicular to the pipe wall and receives echo signals from the inner surface and the outer surface of the pipe. The tool measures the time interval between the arrival of a reflected echos from inner surface and outer surface to calculate the wall thickness. On some pipelines it is easier to use remote visual inspection equipment to assess the condition of the pipe. Robotic crawlers of all shapes and sizes have been developed to navigate the pipe. The video signal is typically fed to a truck where an operator reviews the images and controls the robot.
Industrial Pipe Cleaning
EA Services Inc. provides pipe cleaning and tube cleaning services including high pressure cleaning, robotic pipe cleaning, and specialized large pipe cleaning for industrial, commercial and residential piping systems.
Over time, pipes can collect debris, waste, root masses, calcite deposits, and other blockages, and employing the proper pipeline cleaning techniques is critical to pipeline rehabilitation.
EA Services Inc. pipeline cleaning removes deposits of many varieties from inside industrial pipes with minimum damage to the pipe. Our specialized techniques and pipe cleaning equipment for industrial pipes and sewer and drain pipes result in increased flows, improved productivity and reduced buildup.