Recent incidents and consequent regulatory processes have increased awareness and concern regarding the threat of SCC (stress corrosion cracking). Throughout the world research organizations and operators are building processes to both validate the presence of SCC and, where present, assess the pipeline for the SCC threat. SCC is not a concern in the majority of the pipelines, however for the pipelines that do have SCC it is one of the major threats leading more often to ruptures than leaks. Therefore validating the presence of SCC is an important step in threat management. Where SCC threat has not been discovered operators need to check for susceptibility and where susceptible validate the threat of SCC. The validation of SCC threat does not require all the measurement capabilities required to assess the pipeline once cracking is discovered. This paper describes the benefits and limitations of ILI (inline inspection), DA (direct assessment), and hydrostatic testing in terms of detection, false indication, classification, measurement accuracy of defect sizes, and life-cycle assessment. The technologies are critically reviewed and compared using quantitative probabilistic methodologies. Case studies are simulated to demonstrate how the different technologies perform to provide immediate and future integrity. The performance characteristics are discussed and combined to form a comprehensive crack management plan that can provide safety, regulatory compliance and related economies to the crack management process.
Comparison of technologies for SCC threat validation and assessment
Ein Vergleich von Technologien zur Bewertung und Einschätzung der Gefahr einer Spannungsrisskorrosion
2007
12 Seiten, 30 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch