Lesson 10.02.03 - In-Line Inspection Tools (ILI Tools) Flashcards
What are ILI tools?
In-Line Inspection Tools
What do ILI tools do?
ILI tools utilize various NDE methods to assess the in-service condition of the pipe.
Why are ILI tools an essential and significant evaluation technique?
ILI tools provide the pipeline operator with real time data on the condition of their line and helps to ensure the correct maintenance decisions are made for the safe and cost-effective operation of the pipeline.
What can be measured by ILI tools?
They can measure irregularities in pipe wall, corrosion, cracking, laminations, seam weld anomalies, and pipeline deformations.
ILI tools are inserted into the pipeline at ___ or ___ stations with a configuration of pipes and valves known as a receiver.
valve, pump
How are ILI tools set up for an inspection?
- Tool is loaded into the receiver.
- Receiver is closed and sealed.
- Flow of product launches ILI tool into pipeline.
What is the process during and after an ILI tool retrieval?
- Tool is directed out of the pipeline into a receiver.
- Tool is removed.
- Recorded data is retrieved and used for analysis and reporting.
When selecting the most suitable ILI tools for inspections, pipeline operators must know?
- Pipeline attributes
- Pipeline Geometry
- Pipeline Anomalies
- Threat Types and Risks the Pipe May Be Subject to
- Risk to property, personnel, and public presented by the pipe section being measured
ILI tools were first introduced in the __.
1960s
ILI tools typically employ NDE Techniques such as?
- MFL
- UTCW (Compression Waves)
- UTSW (Shear Waves)
- Caliper or Geometry Tools
What are MFL ILI tools used for and how do they work?
They detect corrosion, gouges, mechanical damage, etc. through the use of Magnetic Flux Leakage.
When using an MFL ILI tool, what causes an anomaly to appear?
A break in the magnetic flux of the pipe.
What are UTCW ILI tools used for?
To detect metal loss anomalies, lamination, and measure wall thickness.
What are UTSW ILI tools used for?
To detect linear crack-like anomalies.
What is the most commonly used ILI technology?
MFL ILI Technology
When does Axial MFL occur?
Axial MFL occurs when a strong magnetic flux is composed along the longitudinal axis of the pipe by on-board magnets oriented along that axis of the pipe.
Apart from Axial MFL, what other type of MFL technology is available?
Circumferential or Transverse MFL (TFI)
What does the Circumferential MFL Technology do/detect?
- Detects and classifies seam weld features as crack-like or not.
- Provides SCC and Corrosion depth sizing to +/- 15% NWT
- Detects and discriminates dents or dents with corrosion and cracking
TFI utilizes a magnetic field oriented ___ and is wrapped completely around the pipe.
circumferentially
The TFI tool is used to determine the location and extent of corrosion oriented ___ along the pipe, making TFI useful for detecting corrosion.
axially, seam-related
What type of axial indications can a TFI tool detect that are undetectable with conventional MFL or UT tools?
- Axial Cracks
- Seam Weld Lack of Fusion (SW LOF)
- Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC)
What are the advantages of UT ILI tools?
- detect linear wall thickness measurements
- reliable defect depth sizing and good repeatability
What flaws do UT ILI tools detect?
- internal and external metal loss
- longitudinal channeling
- blisters and inclusions
- deformations
- laminations
- cracking
- seam weld characteristics
- wall thickness variations
What are the 2 UT tools commonly used for inspections of pipelines?
- Compression Wave UT Tools
- Shear Wave UT ILI tools
What can UTCW tools do?
- Can easily determine and measure pipe wall thickness and metal loss
How are UTCW tools used?
- Transducers are mounted perpendicular to the surface of the pipe.
- Acoustic echoes are received from both the internal and external surfaces of the pipe.
What is a shear wave?
A shear wave occurs when the vibratory energy is propagated by particle motion perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.
What does EMAT stand for?
Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer
The EMAT tool consists of ___.
a coil in a magnetic field at the internal surface of the pipe wall.
In the EMAT tool, an ___ applied to the coil induces an AC in the pipe wall causing ___ forces
alternating current (AC), Lorentz
What are the advantages of EMAT ILI inspection?
- Dry coupling
- Applicable to NG pipelines
- Dry coupling increases reliability
What are the disadvantages of EMAT ILI inspection?
- EMAT transducers need to be located about 1.0mm from the test object surface
- Transmitted acoustic energy is low and the dynamic range is determined by noise
- Low frequencies limit sensitivity
What flaws do EMAT ILI tools detect?
- Internal and external metal loss
- Longitudinal channeling
- Hydrogen induced blisters and inclusions
- Deformations
- Laminations (sloping and stacked)
- Toe cracking
- Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC)
- Weld flaws
What are Geometry or Caliper ILI tools also known as?
Caliper Pigs
What do Geometry ILI tools do?
They measure the internal bore of the pipe through mechanical or electromagnetic methods.
What anomaly data should Geometry ILI tools provide?
- Orientation
- Location
- Depth Measurment
What does repair criteria depend on (when discussing Geometry ILI tools)?
Depth and orientation of dents.
This type of tool can be used in both ___ ___ and ___ ___ pipelines
hazardous liquid, natural gas
What applications are Geometry ILI tools used for?
- Dent detection
- Out of round and bend
- Bore monitoring
- Mechanical or third-party damage detection
- Pipeline restriction inspection prior to running more sophisticated (and expensive) tools.
