A Multimodal Acoustic Tool for Inline Pipe Inspection

A Multimodal Acoustic Tool for Inline Pipe Inspection 3/19/2018

The US energy transport pipeline system is a longstanding distribution network with most of its still standing pipes being installed between the 1950s–1970s. Due to degradation mechanisms, such as embrittlement, capable of causing a two-fold reduction in fracture toughness, pipe rupture is a major risk. Current nondestructive inspection (NDI) techniques are only capable of detecting material defects and corrosion. Indentation techniques can only determine material surface properties, and introduce surface defects, which could initiate cracks. Therefore, in response to this critical need, Creare proposes to develop a hybrid tool, capable of determining true material toughness through the cross-correlation of independent measurement techniques. Our multimodal device will determine true material toughness, accurately, nondestructively, and in-situ. Our baseline approach leverages decades of advances at Creare in the development of custom ultrasonic arrays and nondestructive evaluation (NDE) material characterization techniques. In Phase I we will demonstrate the validity of our approach on relevant materials and design a prototype for inline pipeline inspection. Our Phase I results will be validated through destructive testing of samples. During Phase II, we will complete the design and fabrication, followed by in-field testing of our tool, demonstrating its performance.