Research into the Possibilities for Monitoring Technical Conditions of Underground Pipelines Using Acoustic Emission

Abstract

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is of significant importance when it comes to safety evaluation of underground pipeline utilisation. In addition to regular NDT, an intelligent piston is used in a case of great diameter pipelines, although its usage is not always possible. In this respect, the results from monitoring underground pipeline defects with Acoustic Emission testing (AE) were presented. AE laboratory research was carried out to develop a methodology of measurements that could be applied in the real technological conditions. The obtained results prove the utility of AE testing in localization and monitoring defects in underground pipelines. A part of a research was carried out in real technological conditions. As a result, new guidelines were set up for scientific researches on detection and localization of material defects in underground pipelines in operating conditions. For the purpose of carrying out a project of the transport module for selected acoustic sensors was designed, which also had been equipped to a camera for visual inspection. The system for testing was additionally equipped with modules of alert notifications and remote desktop.