ANSYS Simulation Analysis of the Tri-Axial Pipeline Magnetic Flux Leakage In-Line Inspection

Abstract

In order to improve the detect performance of the traditional pipeline magnetic flux leakage(MFL) in-line inspection tools, the method of tri-axial pipeline MFL in-line inspection is advanced. By the three leakage magnetic field components: axial, radial and circumferential, the pipeline defects are recognized. Applying finite element method to build the simulation model of pipeline MFL in-line inspection, then proceeding 3-D simulation analysis. The three components of leakage magnetic field (axial, radial and circumferential) can be obtained by using ANSYS 3-D simulation, and the pipeline defects’ existence as well as the change of the defect’s size can be estimated by the three components’ graph. The simulation results indicate: By the ANSYS 3-D simulation, it proves that the tri-axial pipeline MFL in-line inspection can be achieved and the inspection can be used to improve the level of traditional pipeline MFL in-line inspection.