Pipeline Inspection (Introscan)

А2072 IntroScan

IN-LINE INSPECTION AUTONOMOUS ROBOTIZED SCANNER-FLAW DETECTOR
  • The Scanner-Flaw Detector А2072 IntroScan is designed to detect, select the types of flaws and measure parameters of flaws of the pipe’s base metal and welding defects during non-destructive in-line inspection (ILI) of industrial pipelines (IP) of compressor stations (CS)
  • Scanner-Flaw Detector allows detection of presence of contaminating impurities and restrictions in IP CS
  • 3D topology discovery (route location) and geometric deviations of IP CS
  • Detection of detachment areas of the protective layer

The scanner can be inserted through the available manhole hatches, spark plug lines starting from DN 300 mm, access holes 320х240 mm.

In-line inspection of pipelines is provided without additional clean-up operations, at that the scanner moves in a path along the pipe passing-by the contaminated areas.

Inspection of base metal and welded joints of the pipeline elements using a televisionoptical system (visual and dimensional inspection) and antenna arrays with acoustic transducers with dry point contact (guided wave ultrasonic inspection, shear horizontal wave; SH wave).

Control block is designed to control the scanner, generate initial diagnostic data, and transfer the data to the operator’s PC.

Lithium-ferrum polymer accumulators (200 watt-hour capacity) built-in the scanner provide up to 8 hours of selfcontained operation (scanner travel speed: in the transport mode – up to 5 LM/min, in the indicator mode – up to 0.3 LM/min).

Inspection dimension is provided by absence of the communication lines between the operator and the scanner.

Control over movement of the scanner and obtainment of diagnostic information onto the operator’s control panel in real-time mode is carried out via Wi-Fi channel (at a distance up to 1500 LM (linear meters) from the place where the scanner was inserted).

Ultrasonic inspection unit is based on ultrasonic transducers with dry point contact (DPC) allowing transmitting and receiving of ultrasonic waves in the wall of pipe without contact liquid – only by means of friction between the ceramic protector of the transducer and metal surface.

A set of 32 DPC transducers forms an antenna array (AA) phased in the desired direction and shaping guided ultrasonic waves in the wall of pipe. Frequency range is from 20 to 80 kHz (search for flaws with a height of more than 10% of thickness of the wall of pipe, effective inspection length is up to 4 000 mm).

Television-optical system of the scanner provides in-process visual examination during in-line inspection.

Television-optical system includes an HD camera with a 5 megapixel matrix and a camera lens with 180 degree pickup angle, two LED spotlights and sweep drive of the module in a vertical plane.

Video bit rate considering radio link capacity is up to 20 frames per second. It provides potential efficiency of visual examination up to 5 linear meters per minute.

This module as well includes a methane concentration measuring sensor and a projective laser.

The scanner bears two similar televisionoptical system units – in front and back of the body. The operator selects the scanning direction. The second camera is required for reverse movement of the scanner in the small diameter pipes (is less than DN 500 mm) where the scanner cannot be turned.

The scanner moves along the arbitrary path by means of magnetic motorwheeled modules.

Magnetic module is based on the rare earth magnet with high residual induction magnetic

Pull-off force of the magnetic motorwheeled module from the ferromagnetic surface – 600 N (60 kilogram-force).

Hall sensors are built-in into the module. They sense the magnetic field intensity of the «wheel-surface» contour allowing registration of the wheel breakaway torque from the ferromagnetic surface.

3-axis microelectromechanical systems tilt meter built-in into the motor-wheeled module registers angle position of each module (measurement accuracy ± 0.1 degree) thus allowing implementation of the route location function of the passed area of the IP CS (3D-topology) and control over movement of the scanner in automatic mode.

Design of the power driven platform allows movement of the scanner inside the IP CS along the various elements (pipes, elbows, T-joints, diminishing pipes, shutoff and control valves) DN 300-1400 mm.

A transport platform is based on the 2-axis scheme allowing travel procedures of the T-joints, obstacle avoidance, movement along an arbitrary path.

Overall dimensions of the scanner (in the transport mode) are 310х230х210 mm, weight of the scanner with the transducers – 18 kg.

LOCATION MOVEMENT PLANS OF THE SCANNER
  • Operation inside the IP CS with DN from 400 to 1420 mm
  • Passing the straight-line segments and elbows with DN 300 mm
  • Installation through the access holes and hatchways
  • Passing the unequally continuous T-joints (horizontally and vertically oriented)
  • Movement along the pipe walls in an arbitrary direction and in the transport mode at the velocity of 5 m/min at least and in the diagnostic mode – 0.1…1.5 m/min.
  • Holding and moving along the vertical planes of the IP contaminated by dust and oil accretions.
  • Uniform motion in fixed position along the pipe axis and in a circumferential direction.
  • Availability of front and back video cameras.
SOFTWARE: SCAN IMAGES, INSPECTION RESULTS
The operator gets the scan images of the inspection object in real-time.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Test accessibility pipes, elbows, T-joints, diminishing pipes of DN 300-1400 mm
Areas for scanner installation manhole hatches, spark plug lines starting from DN 300 mm, access holes 340х240 mm
Quantity of the antenna array elements 32
Acoustic contact type dry, point
Frequency range of the transducer 20 - 80 kHz
Sca nner travel speed:
  • in the transport mode
  • in the indicator mode
 
  • 5 LM/min
  • 0.3-0.7 LM/ min
Sensitivity flaws with a height of more than 10% of thickness of the wall of pipe joints
Control radio channel
Control distance from the place where the scanner is installed 1500 LM
Continuous work time, no less than 8 hours
Overall dimensions 310х230х210 mm
Maximum weight 18 kg
Operation temperature range from – 20 to +60 оC