Feasibility of an ultrasonic based instrument for assessing in-situ pipeline coatings

FBS, Inc. proposes to establish the feasibility of an ultrasonically based device for in-situ evaluation of pipeline coatings and for the archiving of coating properties. Based on our experience gained through DOT and EPRI sponsored work on long range ultrasonics, buried pipes, and tar coated pipes we recognize the need for coating characterization not only as an important factor for inspection design but for chronicling the effects of service, age, and environment. We have approached characterization through modeling and through empirical methods and have found significant differences between published coating properties and in-situ measured properties. Coating properties determine ultrasonic wave characteristics and conversely, ultrasonic propagation characteristics can be used to ascertain material properties. The collection of in-situ measured values establishes a ¿fingerprint¿ for coating at the time of the measurement. Thus archived measured values can be used to track coating changes from pre-service through removal and replacement. We believe the ¿intelligence¿ necessary to perform the measurements, archive them, and to guide inspection design can be bundled into a hand held device interfaced with a minimal ultrasonic package and/or with a commercially available UT inspection system.