EPRI Buried Pipe ND

Technology Update 

Bo ClarkProgram Manager – Plant EnElectric Power Research InstNRC - Industry MeetingMarch 30, 2011
NDE Technology Update

•Reference and training 

resources

•Guided Wave Work

© 2011 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

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•Other research & 

support work

•EPRI-developed 

hardware
Key Published EPRI Buried Pipe NDE Documen

Buried Pipe NDE Reference Guide (Published 8-20

– Overview of available buried pipe NDE techno

• Eleven NDE technologies

– In-line and outside pipe application– Guidance on technology selection

Id tifi

© 2011 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

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– Identifies 

• Capabilities and limitations of technology (d

assess capabilities)

• Limiting conditions and configurations• Technology gaps

– Additional resources provided – Living Document – 2011 revision planned 
Key Published EPRI Buried Pipe NDE Documen

(cont)

In-line In-line or outside Outs

Remote ultrasonics Manual ultrasonics Guid

Remote field testing Eddy current techniques Radi

Magnetic flux leakage Acoustic leak monitoring

© 2011 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Magnetic flux leakage Acoustic leak monitoring

Remote visual Electromagnetic acoustic 

transducer

Laser profilometry

In-line Delivery Methods

- Robotic Crawlers - Flow through - Pull throu
Key Published EPRI Buried Pipe NDE 

Documents (cont)Buried Pipe Guided Wave Examination Reference Doc

(Published August 2009)

– Resource for a plant implementing guided wave techno– Basic guided wave theory

• Data acquisition and analysis variables• Capabilities and limitations

© 2011 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

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– Project management 

• Utility and vendor responsibilities• Communication protocol • Examination plan• Procedure and reporting requirements

– Literature study– Living document – revision planned
EPRI Guided Wave Technology Develop

Flaw sizing Development (joint funding 

with PRCI and TWI)

– Mockups built, flaws inserted– FEM modeling (laser imaging) 

– Guided wave data collected

© 2011 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Guided wave data collected

– Validation of FEM model 

Develop techniques for inspection 

around elbows and bends

– R & D contract with Penn State

Buried Pipe Guided Wave Seminar

– ~60 nuclear industry including 

regulatory participants
2011-13 EPRI Guided Wave Technology 

Development 

Personnel guided wave resource development• Develop a resource for guided wave personnel 

– Acquire field obtained guided wave data and associated 

documentation

– Peer review

– Provide for training and potentially personnel testing use

© 2011 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Provide for training and potentially personnel testing use

• Develop guidelines for utilities and for vendor guided wave pBuried Pipe Guided Wave Data Analysis Development

– Resource to improve guided wave reliability

Standardization of Pipe Guided Wave Procedures

– Define necessary procedure contents

Buried Pipe Guided Wave Structural Health Monitoring

– Trending and permanently installed technology
Assessment and Development of Buried Pipe N

Technology (2011-13)

• Benchmark and develop NDE capabilities

– Assess technologies listed in Reference 

Guide

– 18 new mock-ups built for assessment– Significant vendor engagement

– Ide

n

tify capabili

ties

a

n

d limitatio

n

s

© 2011 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

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de t y capab t es a d tat o s

• Document results in Reference Guide• Industry support 

– Provide utility support in implementing 

technology

• Strategic partnerships

– Identify and transfer developments from 

other industries
Mockups for NDE research

© 2011 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.

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2011-13 Additional EPRI Technology 

Development 

In-line NDE Depth Sizing Development• Development of improved flaw characterization ca

for RFT 

Leak Monitoring Technology

– Identify and report on existing leak monitoring

© 2011 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 10

Identify and report on existing leak monitoring

technology 

– Assess capabilities– Utility field trial 
Completed Large Diameter Pipe Vehicle

Large diameter inspection vehicle developed and field te

Detect− Internal and external pits− Circumferential weld 

degradation

Exciter 

© 2011 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 11

− Longitudinal weld 

degradation 

Install through 24” diameter 

man-way

Detector Array
Completed Medium Diameter Pipe Vehic

• 12” to 30” diameter pipe• Runs along a guide wire • 1” of radial clearance to allow for 

mud, tubercles, coatings, etc

Can tra erse

Instrument Modules

Medium diameter inspection vehicle (2010)

© 2011 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 12

• Can tra

verse

– Change of elevations– Branches, tees– Multiple elbows (at least 6)

• Working with a utility to arrange for 

field demo

• Employs remote field technology

Spring Loaded Wheels

Sensors
Buried Pipe NDE Mock-ups

© 2011 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 13
Together...Shaping the Future of Elect

© 2011 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 14