Discontinuity inspection in pipelines: A comparison review

Abstract

Today's main energy sources; natural gas, petrol and petroleum products are transported via pipelines that are safe at long distances. Most of these pipelines are buried and their integrity is highly important. Deformations like corrosions, dents and cracks destruct the integrity of pipeline and they can cause highly dangerous damaging results. Loss of lives, economical losses and environmental pollution can be given as an example of the problems that may occur. Prevention of such adversities before they occur is possible by inspection of pipelines at specific intervals. In recent years, the devices named “Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG)” and designed according to Non-destructive Evaluation (NDE) techniques are used for inspection without destructing pipelines. In this study, the importance of pipeline inspection is firstly emphasized and the studies about the inspection of pipelines at literature are examined. In addition, the usage purposes of PIGs, the basics of Non-destructive Evaluation technologies and the samples of applications at pipelines are examined. According to data obtained from the study, suggestions are made about pipeline inspection.