The goal of the Instrumented Pipeline Initiative (IPI) is to address sensor system needs for low-cost monitoring and inspection as identified in the Department of Energy (DOE) National Gas Infrastructure Research & Development (R&D) Delivery Reliability Program Roadmap. This project intends to develop a new sensing and continuous monitoring system with alternative use as an inspection method.
Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC), Johnstown, PA 15213
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Pittsburgh, PA 15904
There are over 250 thousand miles of transmission pipeline and over one million miles of aging distribution pipeline in use across the United States today (as illustrated in Figure 1). There is a need to develop economical approaches to monitor and inspect this vast network of pipeline systems for sabotage and failure. The objective of this initiative is to research technologies that monitor pipeline delivery integrity through a ubiquitous network of sensors and controllers to detect and diagnose incipient defects, leaks, and failures.
CTC will develop a network of sensors and perform laboratory testing to quantify the ability to monitor the integrity of our nation’s natural gas pipeline delivery system, which consists of a network of more than 1.4 million miles of aging transmission and distribution pipelines and bulk gas storage reservoirs. CTC will execute this instrumented pipeline initiative through a research, development, and testing program to develop prototype sensor/controller networks for the uninterrupted supervision of pipeline systems to detect, identify, and prevent (at an early stage) material defects, pipe faults, gas leakages, or major damage. Various types of pipe and construction materials will be analyzed during this R&D effort.
Nine specific tasks detail the activities that will be used to execute this project. CTC will assess the available technologies for pipeline integrity monitoring leading to defect detection and location. Following an initial technology assessment, CTC will investigate wave propagation as a plausible technology for the development and optimization of active sensing and as a means to classify and locate defects. Electrical power consumption of the sensor systems will be analyzed to support economic feasibility and sensor system and power selection. The selected technologies and system components will be implemented in a proof-of-concept demonstrator to validate operation and performance under typical pipeline conditions. A technology transition plan will be completed as part of the project final report. CTC will team with CMU on this effort.
This project seeks to provide a cost-effective and practical solution for securing the delivery and reliability of the Nation’s aging pipeline infrastructure. Instrumented pipeline technologies will allow industry to enhance pipeline security by improving the ability to detect and mitigate intrusion and assess vulnerabilies. A sensored pipeline will also permit early detection of leaks and failures thereby increasing the overall safety of the pipeline system.
Program Management
Technology Status Assessment Summary
Wave Propagation Summary
Development and Optimization of Active Sensing Devices
System Engineering
Extraction of Reference-Free Features
Classification and Localization of Defects
Proof of Concept Development and Implementation
Technology Transition
CTC has evaluated acoustic propagation on pipes and has determined that the multimode and multipath propagation adds sensitivity to the TRA detection method. In addition, PZT transducers have been selected for use in the remainder of this project. Current and future efforts will determine the effectiveness of the TRA method for detection, classification, and localization of defects.
CTC has shown that Time Reversal focusing compensates for multiple modes and dispersion in the pipe environment, resulting in an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and effective change detection by presenting a distinguishable peak. This technique has been effectively demonstrated in six laboratory circumstances, providing with comprehensive and promising results on guided wave focusing in a pipe with/without welded joint, with/without internal pressure, and detection of three different defects: lateral, longitudinal and corrosion-like.
CTC has completed and submitted the final Technical Report the report has been reviewed and approved. The report is listed below under "Additional Information".
CTC has completed all deliverables associated with this project, thus the project has been completed.
$944,940
$240,000
National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Bill Fincham, (william.fincham@netl.doe.gov, 304-285-4268)
Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC), Thomas J. Piro, (piro@ctc.com, 814-269-2832)
Final Project Report [PDF-5.70MB]
Technology Status Assessment [PDF-93KB]