Abstract
Corrosion monitoring is one of the most efficacious mechanisms that allow controlling the integrity of pipelines and its application is required by international standards in several situations. The ordinary technologies used in corrosion probes, like mass coupons, have some limitations regarding costs and QHSE issues; it leads to the “topside” section of the pipeline, usually in its beginning and end. It restrains strongly the process of integrity assurance in subsea pipeline. The Research Center of Petrobras (CENPES), jointly with the department of Mechatronic Engineering of the University of São Paulo (USP) developed and ultrasound system of high sensibility to overcome these limitations. It is called “PROVUS” and it is able to estimate corrosion rate very accurately. This system presents many advantages when compared to the traditional coupons, such as: they are non-intrusive, easy to handle/install, safer and more flexible. This paper detail the present stage of development of ultrasonic corrosion probe, detailing: the validation process in the Institute of Technological Research – IPT – in São Paulo, by means of over 6000 hours of “blind tests”, i.e., tests in which the applied corrosion rate was only informed after is detection by the ultrasonic system; the applications for topside and subsea pipelines; the mechanical design and the adjusts in course to turn suitable for ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) operation.
Reference
PATUSCO, CARLOS A.P.; CAMERINI, CLAUDIO S.; ADAMOWSKI, JÚLIO A.; BUIOCHI, FLÁVIO; TSUZUKI, MARCOS S. ALMEIDA, Neusvaldo Lira de. PROVUS: development of ultrasonic corrosion probe. In: RIO PIPELINE CONFERENCE & EXPOSITION, 2013, Rio de Janeiro. Proceedings… 8 p.
Corrosion monitoring is one of the most efficacious mechanisms that allow controlling the integrity of pipelines and its application is required by international standards in several situations. The ordinary technologies used in corrosion probes, like mass coupons, have some limitations regarding costs and QHSE issues; it leads to the “topside” section of the pipeline, usually in its beginning and end. It restrains strongly the process of integrity assurance in subsea pipeline. The Research Center of Petrobras (CENPES), jointly with the department of Mechatronic Engineering of the University of São Paulo (USP) developed and ultrasound system of high sensibility to overcome these limitations. It is called “PROVUS” and it is able to estimate corrosion rate very accurately. This system presents many advantages when compared to the traditional coupons, such as: they are non-intrusive, easy to handle/install, safer and more flexible. This paper detail the present stage of development of ultrasonic corrosion probe, detailing: the validation process in the Institute of Technological Research – IPT – in São Paulo, by means of over 6000 hours of “blind tests”, i.e., tests in which the applied corrosion rate was only informed after is detection by the ultrasonic system; the applications for topside and subsea pipelines; the mechanical design and the adjusts in course to turn suitable for ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) operation.
Reference
PATUSCO, CARLOS A.P.; CAMERINI, CLAUDIO S.; ADAMOWSKI, JÚLIO A.; BUIOCHI, FLÁVIO; TSUZUKI, MARCOS S. ALMEIDA, Neusvaldo Lira de. PROVUS: development of ultrasonic corrosion probe. In: RIO PIPELINE CONFERENCE & EXPOSITION, 2013, Rio de Janeiro. Proceedings… 8 p.
