SwRI: Sensors and Corrosion Monitoring--Mobile Sensors for Gas Pipelines, Corrosion Testing and Research

Water in gas pipelines sometimes happens as a result of a several factors including:

  • Operating conditions

  • Temperature variations

  • Gas composition

  • Gas flow rate

  • Variations in the vertical position of the pipeline

image of mobile sensor tests conducted using the SwRI metering research facility   image of metering research facility schematic

Mobile sensor tests conducted using the SwRI metering research facility

  

image of sensor extraction after traveling through the metering research facility pipeline

  

Sensor extraction after traveling through the metering research facility pipeline

  

Metering research facility schematic

 

The accumulation of water in a gas transmission pipeline can promote corrosion and lead to failure of the pipeline. Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) engineers perform modeling to determine locations where water accumulation is most likely to occur. The detection of condensed water using a mobile sensor can provide additional information that can be used to assure safe operation.

  • Mobile sensors can be introduced into the gas stream and identify locations of actual water accumulation and internal corrosion

  • Determining locations of water accumulation and relative corrosion rates could reduce the total number of required excavations for internal corrosion assessment

  • Sensors are robust to tolerate gas pipeline operating pressures and movement in the pipeline

  • Mobile sensors can be programmed for long-term stationary monitoring or single-pass mobile inspection

For more information about mobile sensors for gas pipelines programs and capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Garth Tormoen at gtormoen@swri.org or (210) 522-2645, or Elizabeth Trillo, Ph.D., at etrillo@swri.org or (210) 522-4210.

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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) is an independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 12 technical divisions using multidisciplinary approaches to problem solving. The Institute occupies more than 1,200 acres and provides nearly two million square feet of laboratories, test facilities, workshops, and offices for more than 3,300 employees who perform contract work for industry and government clients.