External Magnetic Pipe Inspection for Corrosion Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipeline inspection methods, such as using intelligent pipeline inspection gauges (PIGs), are costly, disruptive to production, and challenging to deploy in undersea environments, leading to infrequent inspections and premature pipeline replacement.
Innovation Solution
A clamping inspection device with a magnetometer and controller that attaches to the exterior of a pipe, using wireless communication to transmit magnetic field measurements for wall thickness assessment, allowing for frequent, non-invasive monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a PIG device is used to inspect the pipeline, then measurement precision of wall thickness is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need for intrusive deployment, production interruption, and handling challenges in undersea environments
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting the inspection device inside the pipeline (PIG approach), the patent attaches the sensor device to the exterior surface of the pipeline. This inversion of the inspection approach eliminates the need for production shutdown, avoids deployment complexity in undersea environments, and removes the risk of the device becoming stuck, while still achieving wall thickness measurement through external magnetic field sensing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses magnetic field as an intermediary to transmit information about the internal wall thickness condition to an external sensor. The magnetic flux leakage or magnetic field changes caused by wall thinning serve as a mediator that allows non-intrusive detection of internal pipeline conditions without direct contact with the pipeline interior
2Reliability
If a PIG device is deployed for pipeline inspection, then reliability of integrity monitoring is improved, but ease of operation and loss of time worsen due to production interruption and lengthy deployment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The external sensor device can be installed and begin monitoring pipeline integrity before any inspection is needed, allowing continuous or periodic measurements without interrupting production. The device is preliminarily positioned on the pipeline and immediately begins collecting data, eliminating the need for scheduled shutdowns that characterize PIG inspections
3Ease of operation
If external inspection devices are used for undersea pipelines, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to tethering requirements and difficulty of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential sensing function from complex tethered external devices and creates a self-contained sensor unit that can operate independently on the pipeline exterior. By removing the need for tethers and surface equipment connections, the device becomes much easier to deploy in undersea environments while maintaining the external inspection advantage
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables frequent, non-invasive, and cost-effective monitoring of pipeline integrity, reducing unplanned downtime and extending the service life of pipeline components by identifying wear and corrosion accurately.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor coupled to at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw, the sensor comprising a magnetometer that detects magnetic field measurements associated with the characteristic of the wall of the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe inspection device includes a magnetometer for detecting magnetic field measurements associated with a characteristic of a wall of an subsea pipe. The magnetometer can detect environmental magnetic fields as well as magnetic fields generated in response to a magnetic field applied to the pipe. The magnetic field measurements can indicate defects and changes in defects over time in the wall of the pipe caused by erosion or corrosion. Changes in magnetic field measurements over time can provide an indication of changes in pipe wall characteristics. After detecting and storing the magnetic field measurements, the pipe inspection device can be moved to another location on the pipe to gather additional measurements.