bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dry-Run of Site Investigation Planning Using the Manual for Preliminary Investigation in Japan
Authors: Akamura Shigeki , Miwa Tadashi , Tanaka Tatsuya , Shiratsuchi Hiroshi , Horio Atsushi
Published: April 2011

A stepwise site selection process has been adopted for geological disposal of HLW in Japan. Literature surveys, followed by preliminary investigations (PI) and, finally, detailed investigations in underground facilities will be carried out in the successive selection stages. In the PI stage, surface-based investigations such as borehole surveys and geophysical prospecting will be implemented. In order to conduct the PI appropriately and efficiently within a restricted timeframe and budget, planning and management of PI are very important. NUMO therefore compiled existing knowledge and experience in the planning and managing of investigations in the form of manuals to be used to improve and maintain internal expertise. The first editions of the two manuals were prepared on the basis of experience overseas, and then they were revised by taking geological environment, laws and regulation in Japan into consideration. This paper introduces the procedure of PI planning using the manual as well as the results of the dry-run, with the Yokosuka area as a hypothetical PI area, where the demonstration study is under way. Based on the dry-run, applicability of the manual is checked and, at the same time, further revisions are made to improve the content.
Support of the Nuclear Research Institute Rˇezˇ plc of the Shipment of Spent Nuclear Fuel From Research Reactors to the Russian Federation for Reprocessing in the Frame of the RRRFR Program
Authors: Podlaha Josef , Svoboda Karel
Published: April 2011

In 2007, spent nuclear fuel (SNF) from the Nuclear Research Institute Rˇezˇ plc (NRI) was shipped to the Russian Federation for reprocessing. A large amount of SNF of Russian origin has been accumulated after 50 years of research reactor operation. The shipment was realized in the frame of the Russian Research Reactor Fuel Return (RRRFR) program under the US-Russian Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI). SNF shipment from NRI to the Russian Federation represented a very complex and complicated technical, legal and contractual scope of work. The SNF shipment has been realized under specific conditions: 1. High capacity SˇKODA VPVR/M casks were used for transportation for the first time. 2. For the first time, high enriched uranium SNF from a research reactor has been sent to the Russian Federation from a European Union country under the appropriate intergovernmental agreements, legal regulations and conditions. NRI also participates in shipments of SNF from other countries within the framework of the RRRFR program. NRI participated in shipments of SNF from Bulgaria and Hungary in 2008, from Poland in 2009 and 2010, from Ukraine in 2010. Shipments from Belarus and Serbia are planned in 2010. The second shipment of the residue of high enriched SNF from NRI after changeover of the reactor operation to low enriched fuel will be implemented in 2013. The experiences gained during the SNF transportation are described in the paper together with the present and future NRI activities in support of the SNF shipment from other countries.
Procedure and Results of Decommissioning of R&D Facility of Uranium Fuel
Authors: Tanaka Hirokazu , Shimizu Masao , Tojo Susumu , Tanimoto Ryoji , Maekawa Kazuhiko , Ueta Shinzo
Published: April 2011

From 1998 through 2005, the facilities for research and development (R&D) of uranium ore-dressing and uranium fuel etc. were decommissioned and soil contaminated by uranium was collected. All the pieces of apparatus in the nuclear facilities which might be contaminated with uranium were treated as radioactive wastes. At the time of the decommissioning activity, there was no specific value to judge as radioactive wastes. So MMC considered and adopted the pragmatic procedure to judge that soil was radioactive waste or not. During decommissioning facilities and collecting soil, the environmental monitoring was conducted. And it was confirmed that these activities had no influence on the surrounding areas. All decommissioning activities were finished with no difficulty. The wastes generated from the decommissioning activities were packed in the steel containers and have been stored safely in the storehouse built in the same area. In this report, the details of decommissioning activities are described.
Macroporous Catalysts for Hydrothermal Oxidation of Metallorganic Complexes at Liquid Radioactive Waste Treatment
Authors: Avramenko Valentin , Mayorov Vitaly , Marinin Dmitry , Mironenko Alexander , Palamarchuk Marina , Sergienko Valentin
Published: April 2011

One of the main problems of liquid radioactive waste (LRW) management is concerned with treatment of decontamination waters containing organic ligands. The organic ligands like oxalic, citric and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acids form stable complexes with radionuclides which puts restrictions on application of many technologies of LRW management. One of the ways of destruction of metallorganic complexes consists in using the catalytic oxidation. However, the heterophase catalytic oxidation is rather problematic due to formation of metal oxides on the catalyst surface and calmatation of meso- and micropores. A possible solution of the above problem can be found in synthesis of macroporous catalysts for oxidation having a regular macroporous structure. The present paper describes the template synthesis of macroporous metalloxide catalysts performed with using siloxane-acrylate microemulsions as templates. The method for impregnation of precious metals (PM) particles into the template, which enables one to produce PM nanoparticles of a specific size and immobilize them in the porous structure of the synthesized metalloxide catalysts, is presented. A possible mechanism of the synthesis of macroporous catalysts is suggested and the comparison of the electronic and photon-correlation spectroscopy results obtained at different stages of catalysts synthesis was conducted.
Design Options for HLW Repository Operation Technology: Part II—Bentonite Block Forming and Vertical Emplacement
Authors: Takao Hajime , Takegahara Tatsuhiro , Nakashima Hitoshi , Asano Hidekazu
Published: April 2011

RWMC and JGC have been running an all-round R&D program for the period of 2000–2010 to develop the concept of Vertical Emplacement for disposal of vitrified waste. The conceptual design of its basic equipment was worked out in 2000, followed by forming the large-scale bentonite block in 2001–2004. Study has also been conducted on a mechanism to convey and position the large-scale block using a vacuum suction device. Subsequent to these developments, various technologies necessary for designing the Vertical Emplacement equipment have been reviewed, which would enhance engineering feasibility and reliability. Full-scale demonstration program under a joint research program with JAEA (Japan Atomic Energy Agency) started in 2008 with the twin objectives i) supporting of public relations and ii) technical verification. The large-scale bentonite block and part of the full-scale Vertical Emplacement equipment are now on view at the Full-scale demonstration facility in Horonobe, Hokkaido, Japan.
Problems With Packaged Sources in Foreign Countries
Authors: Abeyta Cristy , Matzke Jim , Zarling John , Tompkins J. Andrew
Published: April 2011

The Global Threat Reduction Initiative’s (GTRI) Off-Site Source Recovery Project (OSRP), which is administered by the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), removes excess, unwanted, abandoned, or orphan radioactive sealed sources that pose a potential threat to national security, public health, and safety. In total, GTRI/OSRP has been able to recover more than 25,000 excess and unwanted sealed sources from over 825 sites. In addition to transuranic sources, the GTRI/OSRP mission now includes recovery of beta/gamma emitting sources, which are of concern to both the U.S. government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This paper provides a synopsis of cooperative efforts in foreign countries to remove excess and unwanted sealed sources by discussing three topical areas: 1) The Regional Partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency; 2) Challenges in repatriating sealed sources; and 3) Options for repatriating sealed sources.
Microbial Occurrence in Bentonite-Based Buffer Materials of a Final Disposal Site for Low Level Radioactive Waste in Taiwan
Authors: Chou Fong-In , Li Chia-Chin , Chen Tzung-Yuang , Wen Hsiao-Wei
Published: April 2011

This research addresses the potential of microbial implications in bentonite for use as a buffer and backfill material in final disposal site for low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) in Taiwan, where has a special island-type climate. Microbe activities naturally present in this site were analyzed, and buffer materials (BM) consisted of 100%, 70% or 50% bentonite were prepared for laboratory studies. A total of 39 microbial strains were isolated, and the predominant strains included four bacterial, one yeast and four fungal strains. Growth inhibition was not detected in any tested strain cultured in a radiation field with a dose rate of 0.2 Gy/h. Most of the isolated strains grew under a dose rate of 1.4 Gy/h. The D10 values of the tested strains ranged from 0.16 to 2.05 kGy. The mycelia of tested fungal strains could spread over 5 cm during six months of inoculation in BM. The spreading activity of the tested bacteria was less than that of the fungi. Moreover, biofilms were observed on the surfaces of the BM. Since a large and diverse population of microbes is present in Taiwan, microbes may contribute to the mobilization of radionuclides in the disposal site.
Thermodynamic and Economic Assessment of Oxy-Combustion CCS System Applied to Gas Turbine-Driven Compressor Stations
Authors: Ennis C. J. , Botros K. K.
Published: April 2011

Government policies currently in place or in development will require the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from industry, including gas transmission systems. Most of the natural gas transmission systems are powered by gas turbines of sizes up to 30 MW per unit. A typical gas turbine of this size can emit 6 ktonnes of CO2 per MW-year, equivalent to about 180 ktonnes per year. Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions can be accomplished through post-combustion systems (separation of CO2 from flue gases through chemical absorption, physical adsorption, membrane or cryogenic systems) or through oxy-fuel combustion, where fuel is combusted in pure O2 leading to sequestration of CO2 by compression and dehydration of the exhaust gases. The purpose of the current work is to explore the application of the latter concept, simplify and enhance the cycle, and to provide an economic valuation of the cost per tonne of CO2 abated. Innovations explored for enhancement include elimination of excess power production, simplification of capital equipment requirements, and optimization of the power to the booster produced from the gas turbine and steam turbine. The paper presents various innovation options arrived at, detailed thermodynamic parameters, and a cost and economic evaluation of these options. Particular emphasis was placed on the application of this technology to a typical compressor station on a natural gas transmission system as this application is vastly different than a typical power plant contemplating or employing carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems, most notably from the small power size, the remote location, and the self-containment perspectives.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Natural Gas Compression Power Train With Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Hawryluk A. , Botros K. K. , Golshan H. , Huynh B.
Published: April 2011

Multi-objective optimizations were conducted for a compressor station comprising two dissimilar compressor units driven by two dissimilar gas turbines, two coolers of different size, and two parallel pipeline sections to the next station. Genetic Algorithms were used in this optimization along with detailed models of the performance characteristics of gas turbines, compressors, aerial coolers, and downstream pipeline section. Essential in these models is the heat transfer between the gas and soil as it affects the pressure drop along the pipeline, and hence relates back to the coolers and compressor flow/pressure settings. Further investigative techniques were developed to refine the methodology as well as to minimize the downstream gas temperature at the suction of the next station. Current operating conditions at the station were compared to the optimized settings, showing that there is room for improving the efficiency of operation (i.e. lower energy consumption) with minimum effort on the station control strategy. Two threshold throughput conditions were determined in so far as single vs. multi-unit operations due to the dissimilarity in the compressor units and associated gas turbine drivers. The results showed that savings in the energy consumption in the order of 5–6% is achievable with slight adjustment to unit load sharing and coolers by-pass/fan speed selections. It appears that most of the savings (around 70–75%) are derived from optimizing the load sharing between the two parallel compressors, while the balance of the savings is realized from optimizing the aerial coolers settings. In particular, operating the aerial coolers at 50% fan speed (if permitted) could lead to substantial savings in electric energy consumption in some cases.
Decompression Wave Speed in Rich Gas Mixtures at High Pressures (37 MPa) and Implications on Fracture Control Toughness Requirements in Pipeline Design
Authors: Botros K. K. , Geerligs J. , Eiber R. J.
Published: April 2011

Measurements of decompression wave speed in conventional and rich natural gas mixtures following rupture of a high-pressure pipe have been conducted. A high pressure stainless steel rupture tube (internal diameter = 38.1 mm, and 42 m long), has been constructed and instrumented with 16 high frequency-response pressure transducers mounted very close to the rupture end and along the length of the tube to capture the pressure-time traces of the decompression wave. Tests were conducted for initial pressures of 33–37 MPa-a and a temperature range of 21 to 68 °C. The experimentally determined decompression wave speeds were compared to both GASDECOM and PIPEDECOM predictions with and without non-equilibrium condensation delays at phase crossing. The interception points of the isentropes representing the decompression process with the corresponding phase envelope of each mixture were correlated to the respective plateaus observed in the decompression wave speed profiles. Additionally, speeds of sound in the undisturbed gas mixtures at the initial pressures and temperatures were compared to predictions by five equations of state, namely BWRS, AGA-8, Peng-Robinson, Soave-Redlich-Kwong, and GERG. The measured gas decompression curves were used to predict the fracture arrest toughness needed to assure fracture control in natural gas pipelines. The rupture tube test results have shown that the Charpy fracture arrest values predicted using GASEDCOM are within +7 (conservative) and −11% (non-conservative) of the rupture tube predicted values. Similarly, PIPEDECOM with no temperature delay provides fracture arrest values that are within +13 and −20% of the rupture tube predicted values, while PIPEDECOM with a 1 °C temperature delay provides fracture arrest values that are within 0 and −20% of the rupture tube predicted values. Ideally, it would be better if the predicted values by the equations of state were above the rupture tube predicted values to make the predictions conservative but that was not always the case.
Innovation in Noise Mapping in Natural Gas Compressor Stations
Authors: Botros K. K. , Hawryluk A. , Geerligs J. , Huynh B. , Phernambucq R.
Published: April 2011

Noise is generated at gas turbine-based compressor stations from a number of sources, including turbomachinery (gas turbines and compressors), airflow through inlet ducts and scrubbers, exhaust stacks, aerial coolers, and auxiliary systems. Understanding these noise sources is necessary to ensure that the working conditions on site are safe and that the audible noise at neighbouring properties is acceptable. Each noise source has different frequency content, and the overall sound pressure level (OSPL) at any location in the station yard or inside the compressor building is the result of a superposition of these noise sources. This paper presents results of multiple-point spectral noise measurements at three of TransCanada’s compressor stations on the Alberta System. A method is described to determine the overall noise map of the station yard using Delaunay Triangulation and Natural-Neighbour Interpolation techniques. The results are presented in OSPL maps, as well as animated pictures of the sound pressure level (SPL) in frequency domain which will be shown on a video at the conference. The latter will be useful in future work to determine the culprit sources and the respective dominant frequency range that contributes the most to the OSPL.
Integrity Management of Ethanol Pipelines
Authors: Sridhar Narasi , Gui Feng , Beavers John
Published: April 2011

Future biofuel mix may contain ethanol from cellulosic materials, butanol, and biodiesel from diverse sources. The anticipated variable mix introduces technical and business uncertainties to pipeline companies requiring a flexible risk management framework. The technical issues are outlined in this paper along with approaches to risk management. The bow tie approach is discussed as a method to assess overall risk and communicate it throughout an organization. Direct assessment methods and their applicability to biofuel pipelines are also discussed.
Leak Detection Method for Long Pipeline Based on Dynamic Pressure and Wavelet Analysis
Authors: Xu Bin , Wang Likun , Wang Hongchao , Xiong Min , Yu Dongliang , Tan Dongjie
Published: April 2011

Architecture of the leak detection system is presented, and the leak detection method based on dynamic pressure and wavelet analysis is studied in this paper. The feature of dynamic pressure which is generated by the leakage of pipeline is analyzed. The dynamic pressure signal of pipeline internal pressure is acquired by dynamic pressure sensor when leakage occurs, and the signal is analyzed by wavelet analysis method to detect the singularity, and the singularity is used to recognize and locate the leak. From the comparison of analysis results between dynamic pressure and static pressure, in order to improve the sensitivity and stability of the leak detection system, a polling rule between dynamic and static pressure is implemented. Field tests of the leak detection system are presented and analyzed. The results of the field tests demonstrate that the leak detection method based on dynamic pressure and wavelet analysis can detect pipeline leak rapidly and locate the leak precisely. This leak detection system has been applied in 5000 km pipeline or so.
Storage Tank Floor and Wall Defect In-Situ Inspection With Ultrasonic Guided Wave Technique
Authors: Feng Zhanjun , Wang Weibin , Tong Wenqiang , Yuan Keyi , Han Zandong , Chen Yifang
Published: April 2011

Large storage tanks for oil storage are widely used in petrochemical industry. Corrosion in the tank floor and wall is a serious threat for environmental and economic safety. Owing to their unique potential for long-range, in-plane propagation through plates, Ultrasonic Guided Waves (UGW) offer an obvious solution in the development of an on-board structural health-monitoring (SHM) system, providing assessment of structural integrity for storage tank floor and wall defect in-situ inspection. This paper presents this application by focusing on their propagation through the plate structure. Even very small mechanical discontinuity or geometry change of plate structure, e.g. corrosion defect on tank floor, will influence the propagation characteristic of the guided waves. These effects are measured as mode changes, frequency shifts or filtering, reflection and diffraction of new ultrasonic modes or overall distortion of the original ultrasonic signals. By capturing and analyzing these changes we can deduct the corrosion defect of the tank floor and wall which causes the ultrasonic signal change and interactions. The T/R transducers are required to be attached on the outer edge of the tank floor and outer surface of the tank wall. The technique is developed based on the Lamb wave transmission tomography. Starting from the dispersion curve and choosing the appropriate wave mode, the propagation of the guided waves in the tank floor and wall has been carried out through numerical simulation and the experiment has been conducted for verification using the full-size oil storage tank. The low frequency guided waves can propagate longer distance in planar and tubular structures. The later has been already used in pipeline inspection. The complexity of the application of ultrasonic guided wave in tank floor inspection lies in the object containing multiple lap joint welds along the large diameter of the tank (up to 100 m) and the complicated reconstruction of the two-dimensional defect distribution information. The main scope of the investigation was the application of the ultrasonic transmission tomography for localization of non-uniformities of inside tank floor, taking into account ultrasonic signal losses due to the loading with oil on the top and ground support at the bottom for the tank floor, and the loading with oil inside for the vertical tank wall.
In-Field Production of a New Metallic Composite Pipeline
Authors: Venero Nicholas J. , Ody Tom , Burke Raymond N. , Miles David J.
Published: April 2011

The composite pipe system, known as XPipe™, is a steel strip laminate technology which uses high-performance adhesives to manufacture a metallic composite pipe. It offers a new method of low cost pipeline construction suitable for onshore gas and oil pipelines in a variety of configurations. The pipe is based on a thin wall liner that provides the fluid containment, the material of which will vary according to service requirements. Fusion bonded epoxy (FBE) coated martensitic ultra-high strength steel strips are then pre-formed and helically wound around the liner to form a laminated high strength reinforcing layer providing the pipe’s hoop strength. These are bonded using an adhesive. Unlike conventional linepipe that is manufactured in a pipe mill away from the construction site, this lightweight composite pipe can be produced at the construction facility using a portable manufacturing line. All components of the manufacturing process fit within standard ISO containers, each weighing between 5 and 15 tonnes. This allows for easy transportation via truck, and handling or shipping. This paper describes the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and subsequent Site Integration Test (SIT) of the containerised pipe manufacturing facility. The FAT was performed in factory conditions in Rome, NY (December 2008) and demonstrated acceptable operation of the complete pipe production line. For the SIT, a site in Houston, TX was chosen which would be broadly representative of in-field conditions. The SIT was performed between April and June 2009 and demonstrated acceptable in-field operation of the pipe production system. The paper also describes the results of full-scale testing performed on pipe produced during the SIT and FAT, including burst, tension and cyclic pressure testing pipe sections.
Effects of Ultrasonic Flowmeter Internal Diameter Differences on the OSBRA Pipeline Measurement Results
Authors: Ferreira Ana Lui´sa A. S. , Kotchetkoff Neto Andre´ Paulo , de Almeida Ma´rcio Manha˜es Gomes
Published: April 2011

The objective of this paper is to describe the effect of the differences between the pipe and the ultrasonic flowmeter internal diameters on the flow-rate measurement results, and to compare the values found with the differences on the pipe balance. The work included field analysis, numerical simulation and meter calibration. The ultrasonic meter balance differences were the reason for this research. The field analysis presents the balance and internal diameter differences. The numerical simulations comprise one, two and three-path meters with arrangements similar to the OSBRA meters. Three flowmeters were calibrated with water and different internal diameter meter runs. The results of the calibrations were compared with the results of the simulations, and also a comparison was made between the simulations and the actual field measurements. The conclusion is that internal diameter differences may generate differences in the ultrasonic flowmeter result, but the differences expected for OSBRA flowmeter results were less than 0.5% which is significantly less than the observed balance differences.
The Opening of a Tunnel and Other Construction Challenges of GASDUC-3
Authors: d’Oliveira Celso A. , Teixeira Andre´ N. , Rodrigues Fabiano C. , Matos Marcos S. , Coelho Jorge F. P. , Montes Paulo Marcelo F.
Published: April 2011

This paper brings a general collection of information concerning the construction of the Cabiu´nas-Reduc-3 gas pipeline (Gasduc-3) and aims at showing briefly how the constructing and assembly of the project took place, considering its constructive difficulties and relevance to the terrestrial pipeline engineering as well as the Brazilian natural gas market.
Research on Pipeline Leak Detection Method Based on Joint Pressure and Dynamic Pressure
Authors: Wang Likun , Xiong Min , Zhao Jinyun , Wang Hongchao , Xu Bin , Yu DongLiang , Sun Yi , Cai Yongjun
Published: April 2011

The dynamic pressure transmitter based on piezoelectric dynamic pressure transducer is designed. The characteristic of dynamic pressure transmitter when pipeline leak happened is analyzed. The dynamic pressure signal is suitable for pipeline leak detection for quick-change of pipeline internal pressure, while the static pressure is suitable for slow-change of pipeline internal pressure. This paper indicated that the dynamic pressure signal could be adjust to this detection that the pressure changes quickly in the pipeline. Field tests show that the proposed method detects pipeline leak rapidly and precisely. The field test in 68.2 km pipeline shows that the least detected leakage ratio with dynamic pressure method is 0.6 percent pipeline throughput and location error is 80 m.
Prediction of Rapid Ductile Crack Extension and Arrest by an Analytical Approach
Authors: Schindler H. J.
Published: April 2011

Under special circumstances a fast propagating crack can be triggered in pipelines by just a small local damage. In order to assess the safety with regard to this type of catastrophic failure, an analytical model was established to describe the process of large ductile tearing mathematically. Using a simplifying kinematical model and the hypothesis that the tearing fracture process is governed by a constant CTOA, the total energy dissipation rate can be quantified and compared to the available fracture energy. Since the Charpy fracture energy KV is often the only available toughness-related material parameter of existing pipelines, the toughness parameters used in the model, particularly CTOA, has to be determined from KV. This was achieved by using the same 2-parameter model of ductile tearing to analyse the fracture process in bending. A closed form relationship was obtained between the minimum pressure required for fast ductile crack propagation and the system and material parameters. It could be shown that rapid ductile tearing requires the hoop stress to exceed a certain limit, which depends on the geometrical parameters of the pipeline and KV of its material. The analysis was verified by comparison of the results with the experimental data of full-scale burst tests available in the literature. Unlike empirical correlations, the derived analytical formula seems to be universally valid, regardless of pipe dimensions or steel grades.
A Decision Making Method of Pipeline Risk Assessment
Authors: Lu Hong , Denby Allison
Published: April 2011

The pipeline risk assessment has been more and more widely used in the industry because of economic factors and regulatory requirements. The three most popular risk assessment methods are qualitative method (simple decision making matrix method), semi-quantitative method (score index method) and quantitative method. The decision-making matrix method greatly depends on expert’s opinion, and does not provide much information to optimize the mitigation program. The quantitative method provides details of mitigation options, mitigation criteria, and prioritizations, but requires a lot of input data that the pipeline operators usually do not have. The score index risk assessment is widely used in the pipeline industry. The input data is relatively easy to acquire. The method provides details of mitigation options and relative risk values. The score index risk assessment is a relative method. Upstream pipeline operators often have questions, such as “Which is the most effective mitigation option to use with my limited resources?” and how the index scores relate with the actual failure frequencies and failure consequence. In order to effectively answer these questions, this paper outlines a method to correlate the probability of failure score with actual failure probability, and leak impact factor score with actual failure consequence in monetary units. Rather than using the final risk score, this method applies the monetarily calibrated consequence factor to the probability of failure so that a normalized and calibrated risk in monetary unit is obtained. By comparing the cost of an estimated mitigation program, the decision can be made based on relative risk. This process is straightforward and practical for industrial application, especially for upstream companies where operators have limited resources to run an in-depth risk assessment. A case study is presented using this method based on upstream pipelines.
High Strength Heavy Plate Optimised for Application in Remote Areas and Low-Temperature Service
Authors: Stallybrass Charles , Konrad Joachim , Meuser Heike , Grimpe Fabian
Published: April 2011

The last decades have seen a steady increase in the demand for high-strength linepipe steels. These offer the most economical option to transport large gas volumes at high pressures from remote areas to the market. Since the beginning of the 1980’s, high strength heavy plates, pipes and pipe bends were developed and produced at Salzgitter Mannesmann Grobblech GmbH and EUROPIPE. Since these days, these products were steadily improved for example in terms of toughness and weldability. As gas resources in increasingly hostile environments are developed, the requirements with regard to deformability and low-temperature toughness have gained growing significance. This is a strong focus of materials development around the world. Modern high-strength heavy plates used in the production of UOE pipes are generally produced by thermomechanical rolling followed by accelerated cooling (TMCP). If accelerated cooling starts above the ferrite-austenite transformation temperature, this processing route results in a microstructure that consists predominantly of bainite. The combination of high strength and high toughness of these steels are a result of the microstructure realised by TMCP and are strongly influenced by the rolling and cooling conditions. Classical light-optical characterisation of the microstructure of these steels is at its limits because the size of the observed features is too small to allow reliable quantitative results. Therefore alternative methods have to be used to obtain a better understanding of the influence of processing conditions on the microstructure. The mechanical properties of high strength plates produced at Salzgitter Mannesmann Grobblech (MGB) and of material rolled using a laboratory rolling mill at the Salzgitter Mannesmann Forschung (SZMF) was characterised with special emphasis on low-temperature toughness. The microstructure was investigated using the electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) method. With this method, it is possible to gain quantitative information related to features of the microstructure and relate these to the mechanical properties of the plate material. It was found that a variation of the processing conditions has a direct influence on parameters that are accessible through the EBSD method and correlates with mechanical properties. These results can be used as valuable input for the definition of the processing window for heavy plate production depending on the required plate properties.
Detecting Blockages and Valve Status in Natural Gas Pipelines
Authors: Wang Xuesong , Lennox Barry , Short Gordon , Turner John , Lewis Keith , Ding Zhengtao , Dawson Karl , Lewis Chris
Published: April 2011

This paper will provide an overview of a novel acoustic reflectometry method that has been developed to detect features, such as blockages and leakages in industrial gas-filled pipelines. The basic concept of the technique is to inject a pulse of sound into a pipeline and then measure the reflections produced as this signal travels along the length of the pipe. Wherever the internal cross sectional area of the pipeline changes then there will be a refection produced. With knowledge of the speed of sound in the gas, the time of flight can be determined and the location of the change in cross sectional area can be identified. The technique is non-invasive and can be used to accurately detect many pipeline features, such as holes, blockages and other objects including valves and even welding joints. The paper will present the results from laboratory tests and field trials which will show the accuracy of the technique in detecting and locating blockages and valve status in industrial pipelines with lengths exceeding 10km and containing high pressure gas. In particular, details of a test where the method was used to identify valve status in a live offshore pipeline, containing high pressure gas will be provided. The difficulties associated with detecting abnormalities in pipelines containing flowing gas will be discussed and suitable signal processing methods will be described which should enable the technique to be applied as a continuous monitoring tool for offshore gas pipelines.
EBSD Study on Transverse Tensile X80 Grade Pipeline Steel
Authors: Ji Lingkang , Meng Li , Li Yang , Huo Chunyong , Feng Yaorong
Published: April 2011

Transverse tension testing was carried out on an X80 grade linepipe to investigate the deformation behavior and the evolution of microstructure by means of SEM-EBSD (Electron Backscattered Diffraction) technique. Test results show that uniform elongation could achieve up to 7% in transverse tension for an X80 linepipe. Microstructural analysis shows that primary equiaxed ferrite grains obviously changed after the tension test to elongate along the length of pipeline body, but the substructure did not increase much revealing that the ferrite in X80 steel could contribute to a certain extent for ductile deformation. Orientation imaging of EBSD analysis displays that the texture components, such as γ-texture, and a little Goss and Copper texture, occurred after deformation. Otherwise, a small amount of primary α-texture still remains. It can be recognized that X80 has good deformational stability.
Experimental Study on Low Cycle Fatigue Behaviours of Wrinkled Pipes
Authors: Zhang Jianmin , Cheng J. J. Roger , Zhou Joe
Published: April 2011

Buried pipelines can be locally buckled (wrinkled) by a load combination of axial deformations and rotations. Previous test results show that those wrinkled pipes do not lose their safety and integrity if they possess sufficient ductility. However, if those wrinkled pipes are going to continue operating under the condition of cyclic loading, their low cycle fatigue (LCF) behaviours have to be thoroughly investigated. This paper presents LCF tests for two full-scale pipes and the relevant results. Those two pipes were tested under a complicated loading procedure. The entire loading consisted of two stages: the monotonic loading stage and the cyclic loading stage. The monotonic loading was designed to form an enclosed wrinkle around the pipe under a locked curvature, and the cyclic loading was planned to fracture the wrinkled pipe. Firstly, the loading procedure was demonstrated by viewing the spectra of MTS load, MTS stroke, jack load, internal pressure, as well as pipe end average rotation. Secondly, the global behaviour was investigated by examining the relation between bending moment and global curvature, the relation between pivot axial load and relative axial deformation (RAD) between pivots, and the relation between internal pressure and RAD between pivots. Thirdly, the phenomenon of ‘deformation localization’ was studied by investigating the relation between the global RAD and the local RAD, and it was found that the global deformation was totally localized into the wrinkle area. Fourthly, the failure modes were discussed and it was found that the seam weld was more liable to be fractured under the condition of cyclic axial deformation. At last, the failure mechanism was investigated by macroscopically examining fracture surfaces. It found out that the cracks initiated from multi-locations on surfaces, then those cracks propagated from surfaces into the interior and finally fractured the pipe wall. Moreover, it found out that more damage was generated from the inside surface than from the outside surface.
Recent PRCI Guidelines for Pipelines Exposed to Landslide and Ground Subsidence Hazards
Authors: Honegger Douglas G. , Hart James D. , Phillips Ryan , Popelar Carl , Gailing Richard W.
Published: April 2011

This paper summarizes key considerations in guidelines published in early 2009 that were developed through a Pipeline Research Council International, Inc. (PRCI) supported by PRCI, the Pipeline Hazardous Materials and Safety Administration of the Department of Transportation, and the California Energy Commission. Past practices for pipelines, as well as almost all other construction projects, have focused on avoidance of areas that have a reasonable probability of experiencing geohazards (defined as large ground displacements that may arise from slope failure, slope creep, earthquake triggered slope movement, and subsidence). This approach has been generally successful when there are limited restrictions on selecting a pipeline alignment. Avoiding potential geohazards is becoming increasingly difficult because of the inability to obtain landowner agreements, the lack of space in common utility corridors, environmental restrictions, incompatibility with existing land use, and/or public opposition. In route corridors where geohazards cannot be avoided, the potential risks associated with these hazards must be managed. Pipeline integrity management strategies to mitigate geohazards consist of: (1) design measures that improve the pipeline resistance to the geohazard, (2) measures that limit or control the severity of the geohazard, and (3) operational programs to monitor ground displacement or pipeline response and identify conditions that may warrant further engineering investigations or mitigation activities. Identifying the most appropriate mitigation strategy needs to be based upon specific hazard scenarios and operating circumstances. The PRCI guidelines provide recommendations for the assessment of new and existing natural gas and liquid hydrocarbon pipelines subjected to potential ground displacements resulting from landslides and ground subsidence. One of the most significant benefits of the guidelines is the systematic approach developed for managing pipeline risks from landslide and ground subsidence hazards. It is hoped that this approach, presented in detailed flow charts, will lead to improvements in current practices by providing a common framework for pipeline operators, the local, state, and federal agencies that have regulatory oversight, and the general public to engage in discussions regarding potential risks from pipelines in areas of unstable ground and the most effective and practical means to reduce those risks to an acceptable level.
Evaluation of UOE and Spiral-Welded Line Pipe for Strain Based Designs
Authors: Bian Yankui , Penniston Christopher , Collins Laurie , Mackenzie Robert
Published: April 2011

Strain-based designs for Arctic pipelines place stringent demands on properties of the pipe body as well as the girth weld and associated heat affected zone. The pipe body must demonstrate good work hardening behavior in addition to satisfactory strength and toughness properties. Girth welds are required to overmatch the strength of the pipe body; both the weld and heat affected zone must also provide good toughness. In this study, X80 line pipe produced using the UOE and spiral welding processes were compared. The UOE process provides some degree of work hardening resulting from cold expansion. This extra hardening renders the UOE pipe more responsive than the spiral pipe to aging effects associated with pipe coating. However, the UOE pipe has an advantage in balancing LPA (longitudinal to pipe axis) and TPA (transverse to pipe axis) strengths. Greater strengths in the TPA orientation afford the capacity to meet specified minimum requirements of the pipe grade and lower strengths in the LPA orientation facilitate overmatching by girth welds. The two types of line pipe offer both advantages and disadvantages for strain-based designs. It must be emphasized that good work hardening characteristics can be maintained in the UOE pipe when the coating process involves a low temperature, which is an objective of modern coating technologies. It was also observed that aging effects did not affect toughness properties significantly.
Lessons Learned From Supporting a Geohazard Management Program
Authors: Ripley Neil , Simpson Trevor , Leir Mark
Published: April 2011

There are a number of geomatics tasks required to support a Geohazard Management Program (Program). For the program implemented by BGC Engineering Inc. for several midstream pipeline operators, these tasks range from identification of potential geohazards (landslide, river erosion), to setup and support for field navigation, through to geohazard database management. Doing these in an efficient and effective manner requires substantial amounts of spatial data and a toolset containing both software and hardware components. For this Program geohazards are classified as hydrotechnical (e.g. a pipeline crossing a river) or geotechnical (e.g. a pipeline traversing a slope). Lists of potential geohazards are generated and provided to field crews who then navigate to each site and perform a field inspection. Navigation and inspection observations are accomplished with the aid of a ruggedized laptop connected to wireless GPS. Upon return from the field, sites are uploaded to Cambio™, an internet database for managing geohazards. Each site is assigned a frequency of action commensurate with the estimated level of risk. Assigned actions include follow-up ground inspections, detailed investigations, monitoring, maintenance and mitigation. An audit trail of site inspections, surveys and mitigation reports, photos, and site survey drawings, are all available for review within Cambio™, allowing access to the information from any site with an internet connection. This paper will present an overview of the Geohazard Management Program from a geomatics perspective, highlighting the integration of geomatics tools into a system designed to be used by engineering personnel, field technicians, and project managers.
The SWAT Approach for Pipeline Watercourse Crossings
Authors: Jasper Steve , Harris Jason D. , Doering Raymond
Published: April 2011

This paper describes a multi-year program to assess pipeline crossings of sensitive watercourses along a major pipeline project. During the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) phase a sensitive watercourse assessment team (SWAT) was established to provide a biophysical and construction assessment of selected watercourses to be crossed by a proposed pipeline project in western Canada. The SWAT comprised a fisheries biologist, a pipeline watercourse construction specialist and other technical support personnel. The field work included assessing biophysical data, fish habitat values, access to the crossing location, construction issues, site-specific mitigative measures and potential habitat compensation options, as well as providing photo documentation and a conceptual crossing sketch. The advantages of the SWAT assessment at a crossing site were: • It provided an effective and efficient field assessment of the proposed watercourse crossing in the early phase of the project. • It was a multidisciplinary assessment. • It provided a recommendation as to a preferred crossing location at the site. • It provided a recommendation as to preferred crossing method and timing of construction at the site. • The data were site-specific to the preferred crossing location. Three consecutive years of baseline biophysical field data were compiled and site reports generated using a custom designed database. Over 200 sensitive watercourses were identified based on environmental, geotechnical, and constructability factors and were visited by the SWAT team, sometimes more than once, for a total of 271 individual site assessments. Data collected during the FEED phase included site-specific information that can be used for ongoing project discussions, regulatory and community consultations, permitting and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) authorizations. The SWAT program also provided recommendations for minor or significant shifts in crossing location for 40% of the sites visited, resulting in changes to the pipeline alignment during the route evolution process.
Thermal Simulation and Its Experimental Verifications for Girth Welds in High-Strength Pipelines
Authors: Chen Yaoshan , Wang Yong-Yi , Rajan Vaidyanath , Quintana Marie
Published: April 2011

Girth welds in high-strength pipeline constructions are often made with mechanized pulsed gas-metal-arc welding (P-GMAW) process. Welding of the high strength steels poses a number of challenges because of the sensitivity of weld mechanical properties to variations in welding parameters and material properties. In addition to the unique characteristics of narrow groove weld geometry and multiple weld passes, the fabrication of P-GMAW girth welds sometimes also employs alternative welding processes such as dual torch or tandem wire in order to increase pipeline construction productivity. In order to understand the dependency of weld properties on welding processes and their parameters, a transient thermal model for multi-pass girth weld had been proposed and successfully developed. The heat transfer model used the superposition principle of heat sources to handle the welding processes with multiple wires or multiple passes. This paper presents the latest development of this numerical approach and its verification against experimental measurements of thermal cycles from X100 girth welds under different welding conditions. A number of X100 pipe girth welds under different welding conditions were made for the verification purpose. The welding conditions include single torch and dual torch P-GMAW process, 1G and 5G welding. Thermocouples were placed in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and the weld-pool for the measurements of thermal cycles. The measured thermal cycles and cooling times from 800°C to 500°C were compared to those predicted by the thermal model. Very good agreements between the measured results and the numerical prediction by the thermal model were achieved.