Managing Metallic Pipe

Managing Metallic Pipe

Metallic Pipe Overview Buried infrastructure is the backbone of our modern society. It connects communities, empowers our economy and enables everyday life. While there are many pipe materials buried underground, according to the American Water Works Association (AWWA), nearly 65 percent of water and sewer pipelines in North America are made of ferrous materials. Utility managers have to make tough decisions every day to balance repairs and replacement of their aging metallic pipe inventory. They often rely on risk-based asset management programs to prioritize and plan, but often still fall short of ratepayer expectations due to lack of actionable information on the condition of their metallic assets. Utilizing condition assessment within an asset management program can help today budgets go further, and ensure that the right pipes are being replaced at the right time. According to the American Water Works Association (AWWA), nearly 65 percent of water and sewer pipelines in North America are made of ferrous materials Traditionally, many utilities have been managing their aging metallic pipelines using a replacement approach, which prioritizes a pipe based on its age and failure history. While in some cases, pipe replacement is both financially defensible and necessary, age and failure history alone do not provide enough data to determine if replacement of a pipeline is necessary. In fact, studies have found that between 70 and 90 percent of pipes being replaced come out of the ground with remaining useful life. In the last decade, there has been significant development in metallic pipe inspection technologies; utilities are now able to confidently determine the condition of their metallic pipes before making rehabilitation or replacement decisions. Studies have found that between 70 and 90 percent of pipes being replaced come out of the ground with remaining useful life. Desktop Studies & Condition Assessment Condition assessment is the best way to confidently understand the actual condition of metallic pipelines allowing for optimized management decisions. Traditional methods, such as test pitting and desktop studies, rely on external and indirect factors to assume the condition of a metallic pipe. While these tools are useful when combined with condition assessment, they can lead to the unnecessary replacement of pipe. Desktop studies should drive data collection using condition assessment in combination with replacement planning. For smaller diameter, lower consequence pipes, it may be more cost effective to prioritize and replace; however, larger diameter pipelines and higher consequence pipes can often be managed more cost effectively by balancing condition assessment and targeted rehabilitation. Condition assessment is the best way to confidently understand the actual condition of metallic pipelines allowing for optimized management decisions. http://www.puretechltd.com I 2

Steps to Successfully Managing Metallic Pipe Condition assessment is a cost effective way to manage a pipeline asset. It allows for capital expenditures to be spent at the right time, in the right place while lowering risk. Using a combination of pipeline risk prioritization, condition assessment and engineering analytics, utilities can get balanced, cost effective data and analysis of their entire systems, ensuring money is spent in the right places while reducing short and long-term risk. Understand Assess Address Manage Risk, history, context and characteristics of the pipe Collect actual condition data Address the problems. leave the good pipe in the ground Manage the pipe into the future Understand An EPA study states that, Any condition assessment should include a risk evaluation, because it s a key factor in prioritization of investigation. (Thomas. 2009) Risk is defined as the product of the consequence of failure and the likelihood of failure. Consequence of failure typically considers the impact of a failure from an environmental, societal and economic perspective. Likelihood of failure is best understood through condition assessment in combination with environmental and historical pipe data. The risk of the pipe may be derived from a comprehensive risk model or from a perceived risk known by the stakeholders. Understanding the risk of the pipeline is an important step in selecting and justifying the appropriate condition assessment methods; the resolution and cost of the technique should align with the risk involved. As the risk of the asset increases, the value in using high-resolution comprehensive assessment techniques increases. Higher resolution data results in more confident decision-making and allows for more precise repairs. Assess Collecting actual condition data over the length of the pipeline is the only way to truly understand the condition of the pipe. Gathering this data may be more costly and time consuming up front; however, it typically leads to more focused and efficient repair and replacement decisions resulting in overall cost saving. Experience shows that this approach is effective at reducing risk and optimizing capital expenditures over time. No silver bullet exists for condition assessment, all techniques and technologies have limitations and therefore, a phased and layered approach is best. There are many tools in the condition assessment toolbox and the right combination is driven by risk and operational constraints. http://www.puretechltd.com I 3

Leak Detection Pipe Wall Condition Engineering & Analytics Actionable Data Leak Detection Finding leaks is an important aspect of managing pipelines and understanding their condition. Leaks are a precursor to pipe failure; they erode the bedding and promote corrosion. Acoustic external and inline leak detection technologies can accurately pinpoint leaks so that utilities can take action. Pipe Wall Condition Data Assessing the condition of the main structural component of a pipe, the pipe wall itself, allows utilities to understand the current state of the pipeline. This can drive immediate decisions and long term capital planning. Inline condition assessment tools can provide wall thickness measurements of the wall of the pipe while the pipe is in service, depressurized or while out of service. Structural Engineering Structural engineering help us to understand the structural capacity of the pipe under the current loading conditions. With this baseline and more detailed analysis, the significance of defects identified is understood and the data collected is made actionable. Without structural engineering, wall loss data is just a number. Address Condition assessment allows utilities to make more precise and focused repairs. Addressing problems found through inspections can range from point repairs to replacement. This proactive approach both reduces risk and allows for more efficient and optimized allocation of resources. The method of addressing the problem depends on the condition of the asset. Rehabilitation alternatives can range from focused point repairs such as welded steel patches or carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) wraps, to pipe stick replacement, full length structural liners, cast-in-place solutions, or full replacements. Manage Understanding the current condition of the pipe allows immediate action to correct any severe problems. Additionally, data can be used to identify the root cause of the damage and steps to mitigate these causes can be made to further extend the life of the pipelines. The condition data can be used to update risk models and optimize planning. The remaining useful life of the pipeline can be estimated to make decision on the future management of the pipeline. Remaining Useful Life Gathering actual pipe wall thickness measurements through inline condition assessment tools or test pits, statistical models can project the estimated remaining useful life (years to failure) for a pipeline. This allows for re-inspection recommendations and capital planning decisions to be made. http://www.puretechltd.com I 4

Pure Technologies and Metallic Pipe Management Pure Technologies can help utilities manage their metallic pipe assets more efficiently by gathering relevant data using leading-edge technologies, enabling utilities to confidently reduce risk and effectively plan capital expenditures. Pure s combination of condition assessment technologies and engineering expertise means that utility owners can make smart decisions on repair or replacement of their metallic assets today, while confidently planning for the future health of their system. This allows today s budget to go further, while allowing for defensible, long-term capital planning. Leading-edge, pipe wall assessment technologies give utilities actual condition data of their assets, including levels of corrosion, and wall thickness. This helps utilities understand how their metallic pipes are failing and therefore makes it easier to plan for the future to avoid further failures. We can work with small or large utilities and help them manage a single pipe or their entire system, systematically and precisely. Pure Technologies can help utilities manage their metallic pipe assets more efficiently by gathering relevant data using leading-edge technologies, enabling utilities to confidently reduce risk and effectively plan capital expenditures. Leak Detection: Pipeline Screening SmartBall Leak and Gas Pocket Detection: A free-swimming tool that accurately detects and locates leaks and gas pockets in a fully operating pressurized pipeline. The tool can complete long assessments in a single deployment without disruption to regular pipeline service. Sahara Leak and Gas Pocket Detection: This tethered inline inspection tool can be deployed into a fully operating and pressurized pipeline. Real-time feedback of video and acoustic data allows our highly trained technician to identify and locate leaks and gas pockets during the inspection. Pipe Wall Condition Data PureEM Technology: Medium Resolution Condition Assessment Built on Pure s proven electromagnetic technology, PureEM can be used on metallic pipe materials such as steel, ductile iron and bar wrap pipe (AWWA C303) to detect defects such as cylinder corrosion and broken reinforcing bars. The PureEM sensors detect pipe wall defects and provide the location and an estimate of area and depth affected. The technology can be delivered using Pure s proven suite of platforms; PipeDiver Condition Assessment, PureRobotics Pipeline Inspection, and PipeWalker Electromagnetic tools. PipeDiver platform: A free-swimming flexible platform that can be deployed while the pipe remains in service allowing for valuable condition assessment data to be collected with minimal service disruption. PipeWalker tools: Using PureEM on equipment that is pushed through a dewatered pipe, Pure s technician can collect pipe wall condition data while making visual observations of liner condition. http://www.puretechltd.com I 5

PureRobotics platform: A tethered modular robotic platform can inspect depressurized pipes and provides pipe wall condition data and realtime high definition video inspection with a pan-tilt-zoom camera. Magnetic Flux Leakage: High Resolution Condition Assessment PureMFL : Pure s inline MFL tools scan the full circumference and length of a pipeline, providing high-resolution information on pipe wall condition. MFL scans the pipe through linings to measure remaining wall thickness and provide depth and location of metal wall loss caused by corrosion, pitting or other deterioration mechanisms. Complementary tools and technologies Spectrum XLI Mapping and Corrosion Study: Uses high accuracy GPS receivers to provide pipeline owners with an accurate location of their assets along with soil corrosivity data. Soil corrosivity data can highlight areas of the pipe that are more likely at risk from external corrosion. It is an ideal tool for locating metallic pipes in high risk areas where the alignment is unknown. Pressure Monitoring: Monitors pressure transients that indicate a change in pressure due to pressure or flow disturbances. Pressure transients can have an adverse effect on the integrity of a pipe section and monitoring can add significant value to a condition assessment program. Hydraulic Modeling: Operating practices, pressures and surges have a profound impact on the performance of pipeline. Having a better understanding of the typical and surge pressures within the pipeline may allow for an improvement in operational practices to increase the remaining life of the pipeline. Direct External Assessments: Performing external assessments (test pits) on an exposed pipe provides valuable information regarding the condition of the pipe and additionally allows for correction, calibration, and validation of internal inspection techniques. Possible methods of assessment include: Validation Test Pits: Documents the actual condition and environment of the pipeline Pulsed Eddy Current: Used to scan the entire pipe section to determine the average remaining wall thickness. Serves to guide more detailed testing as necessary Ultrasonic Testing: UT provides wall thickness measurements and is used by Pure Technologies to validate the thickness of the pipeline at specific locations. http://www.puretechltd.com I 6

Conclusion There is no silver bullet for assessing the condition of pipelines; a combination of techniques are required to understand the condition of a pipeline. In recent years, advancements in technologies have made condition assessment on steel, ductile iron, and cast iron pipes possible, allowing you to understand, assess, address, and confidently manage your metallic pipes and see the greatest return on your investment. Pure Technologies can provide you peace of mind by allowing you to understand the true condition of your infrastructure. Our best-in-class technology and services portfolio provides the actionable data and solutions you need to cost effectively focus resources with precision, by prolonging asset life, improving safety, and increasing reliability. Together we ensure dependable infrastructure for generations to come. http://www.puretechltd.com I 7