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See Snake Tool |
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New Inspection Tool for
Pipeline Condition Analysis |
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There
is a demand in the market for improved probability of
detection (P.O.D.) and exceptional accuracy for sizing of
corrosion pits. Competing tools that use Magnetic Flux
Leakage (MFL) require intimate contact with the pipe wall in
order to achieve acceptable flaw sizing. |
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4" Self
Contained Tool |
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Unfortunately many pipelines have internal deposits of wax,
scale or sand and others are lined with cement mortar, epoxy or
polyethylene, preventing the effective use of MFL tools.
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technology, on the other hand, requires no contact with the pipe
wall, and can measure through scale, wax and non-magnetic
liners. In fact, See Snake tools have a clearance of 0.250"
(6.3mm) to allow passage of the tool past weld roots, dents, and
internal deposits. |
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| Features |
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Flexible. So flexible in fact that they can be made to
negotiate multiple 90 degree welded elbows. |
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Water proof. They can
be pumped through the pipeline with the product flow, or with
compressed air. |
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Rugged. They have have
no external movable parts (Unlike MFL tools) so there is nothing to
break off or get caught when passing through valves, tees and
branches. |
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Fast. Inspection
speeds of 0.5 to 1 km/hour are normal in common pipe wall thickness
(0.125" to 0.156"). All data is stored on board and is downloaded
over USB or Blue Tooth connection after the run. |
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Measures more information:
because See Snakes use "Remote Field Technology" (a through
transmission, A.C. technique) they have equal sensitivity to
internal or external pits. They also measure both remaining wall
thickness and surface area (length and width) with accuracy that
competing technologies cannot match. |
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Measures Stress.
Pipelines that are under external stress due to soil movement,
bridging, inadequate support, rippling or denting have local
variations in magnetic permeability that are measured by the tools.
While these are not precisely quantified, they are detected very
well, and can be quickly located. |
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No
Magnets. Unlike
MFL tools, See Snake tools contain no magnets, so they can be
pushed with relative ease. If an air compressor is used, a pressure
of 25 psig is often enough to push the tool. |
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Detected from the surface.
No need for an extra "Sonde" for tool tracking. See snake
signals are detectable from above ground because their unique
signal travels through the wall of the pipe and up to the surface
of the soil in an instant. Above ground markers can track the
passage of the tools, and locate them quickly if they get stuck. |
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Data Analysis is
semi-automatic and a report is created as the analysis is being
performed. Depending on the line condition, analysis and reporting
can be done in the field, but is usually done the next day,
off-site, to reduce labour costs. |
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| Application |
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Inspect pipelines prior to purchase or after construction to ensure
integrity. |
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After a pipeline failure:
check several km each side of the repair for more corrosion damage. |
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Check an old or abandoned
line before re-commissioning it. |
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Tools are available from 2"
(50mm) to 8" (200mm) diameter, in wall thickness to 0.375" (9.5mm).
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Larger tools will be
available soon. |
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