Term 252

Expandable In-Line Repair Device for Pipelines

Project Type: Self-Initiated

Project Description

The problem of corrosion in pipelines is dangerous to people, costly to operate and also costly economically in terms of the maintenance of the pipeline. All conventional ways of repairing the problems of corrosion in pipelines require that the area be excavated or the pipeline be shut down for an extended period; this is especially true when the corrosion occurs where there is a valve and/or the location is difficult to access. The objective of this research is to develop the conceptual design of a device called the Expandable In-Line Repair Device (EIRD) for Pipelines which will provide a way to inspect internally the pipeline from outside using the valve on the pipeline as the point of entry and repair the defects caused by localized corrosion inside the pipeline without having to take the pipe out of service. The EIRD will use sensors to obtain limited information about the interior of the pipeline to make decisions based upon sensor data; it will have an expandable internal sleeve to cover the defective areas of the pipeline once they have been identified and coated with a protective coating to prevent further corrosion in the defective areas. To develop the conceptual design of the EIRD, all of the disciplines involved including mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, software engineering, and systems engineering were used to convert the requirements of the customers and the limitations associated with those requirements into quantifiable specifications. The conceptual design demonstrated that a practical solution exists to reduce downtime, improve safety, and extend the useful life of pipelines through local internal interventions.