Field Trial of the NoPig Inspection System

Author(s):  
Usman K. Choudhary ◽  
Rachel Lee ◽  
Robert Worthingham

The NoPig system is an above ground metal-loss detection tool utilizing magnetics. Sensors at ground level detect disturbances in the magnetic field around the pipeline generated by impressed alternating current (AC) signals. This tool is intended for use on segments of pipeline which are considered unpiggable. Previous field trials indicated the tool was capable of detecting metal-loss in small diameter seamless pipe. Trials on electric resistance weld (ERW) or double submerged arc weld (DSAW) pipe were inconclusive. Modifications have been made to the NoPig hardware and analysis software to correct for the non-uniform magnetic fields produced by seamed pipe and girth welds. The study reported in this paper is a field trial of the modified inspection system. Recently inline inspected pipelines of nominal pipe size (NPS) 12 and 16 were selected for survey. Pipeline segments where significant metal-loss was detected from Inline Inspection (ILI) were selected for the blind test. Eight hundred meter sections of pipeline were surveyed at each of these locations to ensure a range of pipe conditions were included. After all surveys were complete, significant features were excavated and actual measurements were obtained. This paper describes the field inspection program as well as the analysis process used to verify the detection capabilities of the modified NoPig system. The results will include discussion of the positional accuracy, detection capability and threshold of the system. This analysis will help determine if the NoPig system is suitable alternative for assessing the integrity of unpiggable pipeline segments.

Author(s):  
Johannes Palmer ◽  
Aaron Schartner ◽  
Andrey Danilov ◽  
Vincent Tse

Abstract Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) is a robust technology with high data coverage. Decades of continuous sizing improvement allowed for industry-accepted sizing reliability. The continuous optimization of sizing processes ensures accurate results in categorizing metal loss features. However, the identified selection of critical anomalies is not always optimal; sometimes anomalies are dug up too early or unnecessarily, this can be caused by the feature type in the field (true metal loss shape) being incorrectly identified which affects sizing and tolerance. In addition, there is the possibility for incorrectly identifying feature types causing false under-calls. Today, complex empirical formulas together with multifaceted lookup tables fed by pull tests, synthetic data, dig verifications, machine learning, artificial intelligence and last but not least human expertise translate MFL signals into metal loss assessments with high levels of success. Nevertheless, two important principal elements are limiting the possible MFL sizing optimization. One is the empirical character of the signal interpretation. The other is the implicitly induced data and result simplification. The reason to go this principal route for many years is simple: it is methodologically impossible to calculate the metal source geometry directly from the signals. In addition, the pure number of possible relevant geometries is so large that simplification is necessary and inevitable. Moreover, the second methodological reason is the ambiguity of the signal, which defines the target of metal loss sizing as the most probable solution. However, even under the best conditions, the most probable one is not necessarily the correct one. This paper describes a novel, fundamentally different approach as a basic alternative to the common MFL-analysis approach described above. A calculation process is presented, which overcomes the empirical nature of traditional approaches by using a result optimization method that relies on intense computing and avoids any simplification. Additionally, the strategy to overcome MFL ambiguity will be shown. Together with the operator, detailed blind-test examples demonstrate the enormous level of detail, repeatability and accuracy of this groundbreaking technological method with the potential to reduce tool tolerance, increase sizing accuracy, increase growth rate accuracy, and help optimize the dig program to target critical features with greater confidence.


Author(s):  
Minna Isomursu ◽  
Mari Ervasti

This chapter reports user experience findings from two field trials, where Mobile Internet access was supported through Near Field Communication (NFC)-based tag infrastructure, The first field trial was done in public urban environment with the infrastructure of 2650 tags and 248 users, and the other field trial dealt with mobile learning with the infrastructure of 11 tags and 220 users. The authors results show that touch-based interaction can provide enhancement to the Mobile Internet user experience. Touch-based access builds a semantic bridge between the physical context of use and the Mobile Internet experience, the user experience converges seamlessly into one where both the physical and digital worlds play a role. The authors report and analyze the subjective experiences of the end users collected during the field trials. As a result, they summarize recommendations for interface and content design.


2019 ◽  
Vol 132 (12) ◽  
pp. 3277-3293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Lie Selle ◽  
Ingelin Steinsland ◽  
John M. Hickey ◽  
Gregor Gorjanc

Abstract Key message Established spatial models improve the analysis of agricultural field trials with or without genomic data and can be fitted with the open-source R package INLA. Abstract The objective of this paper was to fit different established spatial models for analysing agricultural field trials using the open-source R package INLA. Spatial variation is common in field trials, and accounting for it increases the accuracy of estimated genetic effects. However, this is still hindered by the lack of available software implementations. We compare some established spatial models and show possibilities for flexible modelling with respect to field trial design and joint modelling over multiple years and locations. We use a Bayesian framework and for statistical inference the integrated nested Laplace approximations (INLA) implemented in the R package INLA. The spatial models we use are the well-known independent row and column effects, separable first-order autoregressive ($$\mathrm{AR1} \otimes \mathrm{AR1}$$ AR 1 ⊗ AR 1 ) models and a Gaussian random field (Matérn) model that is approximated via the stochastic partial differential equation approach. The Matérn model can accommodate flexible field trial designs and yields interpretable parameters. We test the models in a simulation study imitating a wheat breeding programme with different levels of spatial variation, with and without genome-wide markers and with combining data over two locations, modelling spatial and genetic effects jointly. The results show comparable predictive performance for both the $$\mathrm{AR1} \otimes \mathrm{AR1}$$ AR 1 ⊗ AR 1 and the Matérn models. We also present an example of fitting the models to a real wheat breeding data and simulated tree breeding data with the Nelder wheel design to show the flexibility of the Matérn model and the R package INLA.


Author(s):  
W. Hanif ◽  
S. Kenny

Pipelines may experience damage (e.g. dent, gouge) during handling, installation and normal operations due to external interference. Pipelines in offshore environment may be prone to mechanical damage from events such as ice gouging, frost heave, and seismic fault movement. Damage mechanisms can be associated with deformation or metallurgical/metal loss that may include pipe dent, pipe ovality, ice gouging, pipe buckling, corrosion etc. The type and severity of pipe damage may influence operational, repair and intervention strategies. For conventional pipelines, the assessment of mechanical damage plays an important role in the development of integrity management programs that may be of greater significance for pipeline systems located in remote harsh environments due to remote location and logistical constraints. This study examines the effects of plain dents on pipe mechanical response using continuum finite element methods. ABAQUS/Standard (6.10-1) environment was used to simulate damage events and pipe response. Modelling procedures were developed and calibrated against physical and numerical data sets available in public domain. Once confidence in numerical procedures was achieved, an analysis matrix was established to account for a range of influential parameters including Diameter to wall thickness ratio (D/t), indenter diameter to pipe diameter ratio (ID/OD), hoop stress due to internal pressure to yield strength ratio (σh/σy), and kinematic boundary conditions. The results from this study provide a basis to support a broader initiative for developing an engineering tool for the assessment of damage interaction with pipeline girth welds and development of an engineering performance criterion.


Author(s):  
Masaki Yamano ◽  
Hiroyuki Okubo ◽  
Takumi Horikiri ◽  
Makoto Nagase

The requirements of Ultrasonic Testing, such as DNV, ISO specification etc., for longitudinal submerged arc weld (SAW) seam of UOE pipe become severe to the offshore steel line-pipe with high grade and heavy wall thickness. In order to satisfy the requirements, testing method with multi-probe arrangement have been widely applied in the pipe manufacture. Recently, the phased array technique has been applied for inspection of girth welds of pipeline and longitudinal ERW (electric resistance welded) seam instead of multi-probe method. But the inspection system with conventional phased array probe has many difficulty to apply for inspection longitudinal SAW seam of UOE pipe, because of defect detection capabilities, array elements arrangement, and so on. The authors have developed an applicable ultrasonic phased array probe to satisfy the severe requirements for longitudinal SAW seam of UOE pipe. This paper presents the results of our original designed array probe, which has been composed of 32-transducer elements mounted on cylindrical-shaped plastics, and also compares the inspection results to those obtained on the conventional multi-probe and our developed array probe in the UOE pipe mill.


1988 ◽  
Vol 152 (S1) ◽  
pp. 33-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack D. Burke

IntroductionThis paper will review the major objectives and study design of the Field Trials of the draft chapter on Mental Behavioural and Developmental Disorders in the tenth revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), now in preparation. The text used in this Field Trial is the Clinical Descriptions and Diagnostic Guidelines, which is more elaborate than the Short Glossary for this chapter that will be published in the main volume of ICD-10. The text for the former will be published together with the Diagnostic Criteria for Research and other parts of the WHO family of instruments relevant to mental health.


2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marja Harjumaa ◽  
Igone Idigoras ◽  
Minna Isomursu ◽  
Ainara Garzo

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the adoption of a multimodal medication management system (MMS) targeted on older people and home care professionals. The paper aims to describe the expectations of the system and the user experience findings from an empirical qualitative field trial. The field trial results are used to discuss how MMSs should be designed in order to improve adherence to medications. Design/methodology/approach – The paper suggests that building a multimodal medicine management system targeted on both older users and home care professionals brings many benefits over electronic medicine dispenser systems or general reminder systems. The research process uses an iterative prototyping approach including phases of requirements analysis and concept design, prototype building and evaluation in a field trial. Findings – The study demonstrates how a system that merely satisfied users during the prototype building phase does not necessarily succeed as well as expected in the field trials. It would be important to consider reasons for medication non-adherence and non-technology factors influencing willingness to adopt new assistive devices in order to promote diffusion of new MMSs at home. The paper also discusses how the different persuasive functionalities of the system addressed patient-centred factors influencing non-adherence and how they could be addressed. Research limitations/implications – This study has some limitations. The actual adherence to medications was not measured. However, in the future, it will be important to study how the MMSs influence medication adherence. Also, the user experiences of the home care professionals were not studied in the field trials. Home care professionals who were involved in the user studies and trials merely estimated the value for their patients and not for themselves. Originality/value – This paper analyses design issues relevant when designing systems to help older people manage their medications.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1667
Author(s):  
Jian Wang ◽  
Xianfeng Hu ◽  
Chenglong Yang ◽  
Xiaomao Wu ◽  
Rongyu Li ◽  
...  

Plant diseases reduce crop yield and quality, hampering the development of agriculture. Fungicides, which restrict chemical synthesis in fungi, are the strongest controls for plant diseases. However, the harmful effects on the environment due to continued and uncontrolled utilization of fungicides have become a major challenge in recent years. Plant-sourced fungicides are a class of plant antibacterial substances or compounds that induce plant defenses. They can kill or inhibit the growth of target pathogens efficiently with no or low toxicity, they degrade readily, and do not prompt development of resistance, which has led to their widespread use. In this study, the growth inhibition effect of 24 plant-sourced ethanol extracts on rice sprigs was studied. Ethanol extract of gallnuts and cloves inhibited the growth of bacteria by up to 100%. Indoor toxicity measurement results showed that the gallnut and glove constituents inhibition reached 39.23 μg/mL and 18.82 μg/mL, respectively. Extract treated rice sprigs were dry and wrinkled. Gallnut caused intracellular swelling and breakage of mitochondria, disintegration of nuclei, aggregation of protoplasts, and complete degradation of organelles in hyphae and aggregation of cellular contents. Protection of Rhizoctonia solani viability reached 46.8% for gallnut and 37.88% for clove in water emulsions of 1000 μg/mL gallnut and clove in the presence of 0.1% Tween 80. The protection by gallnut was significantly stronger than that of clove. The data could inform the choice of plant-sourced fungicides for the comprehensive treatment of rice sprig disease. The studied extract effectively protected rice sprigs and could be a suitable alternative to commercially available chemical fungicides. Further optimized field trials are needed to effectively sterilize rice paddies.


2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 (1) ◽  
pp. 597-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Lunel ◽  
Louise Davies

ABSTRACT As a general “rule of thumb,” a dispersant response is not the most appropriate response to a spill of Intermediate Fuel Oil (IFO)-380 bunker fuel oil However, as with all rules of thumb, there are some exceptions. There has been increasing evidence that a limited number of oil spill dispersants can be used on certain types of oil spill where previously dispersants would not have been considered. A new dispersant tested in field trials carried out by AEA Technology in 1997 (Lunel and Lewis, 1999), indicated that there might be an opportunity to treat viscous emulsions and bunker fuel oils by dispersant spraying. Following these field trials, AEA Technology undertook a number of laboratory-based studies, including tests in France during the first week of the Erika spill, which indicate that IFO-180 and IFO-380 bunker fuel oils may be dispersible under favorable conditions when fresh and when lightly emulsified. At present, the authors conclude that the rule of thumb—a dispersant response is not likely to be the most appropriate response to most spills of IFO-380—holds. However, the authors believe that there may be some conditions when a dispersant response can be considered as part of a response to a spill of IFO-380 to reduce the volume of oil beaching. It has been recognized by most experts dealing with this issue that a field trial is needed to establish the validity of this assertion. In the absence of a field trial, the authors believe that a dispersant response to IFO-380 can be considered providing that:The reduction of volume beaching will result in a significant net environmental or economic benefit.The sea temperature is 10°–15°C or greater.The dispersant to be used is COREXIT®9500, Dasic Slickgone LTSW, Inipol 90, or Superdispersant 25.The characteristics of the IFO-380 are known and have been assessed by an oil spill expert at the time of the spill.In situ monitoring is in place to assess whether the response is effective.


2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (11) ◽  
pp. 649-655
Author(s):  
W Sharatchandra Singh ◽  
C K Mukhopadhyay

This paper proposes multi-NDE techniques for enhanced and reliable detection of localised defects or flaws in small-diameter (19.05 mm outer diameter (OD) and 2.77 mm wall thickness (WT)) low-carbon steel tubes. Multi-NDE techniques comprising magnetic flux leakage (MFL), remote field eddy current (RFEC) and the ultrasonic internal rotary inspection system (IRIS) are used to investigate the detectability and spatial resolution for the detection of localised flaws of different types and sizes, which simulate flaws generally formed in carbon steel tubes. The studies reveal that the MFL and IRIS techniques detect 0.55 mm-deep holes and notches while the RFEC technique detects 1.11 mm-deep holes and 0.55 mm-deep notches. The IRIS technique is capable of resolving axial and circumferential holes (1 mm diameter and 1.39 mm depth) of 2 mm hole-to-hole separation, while the MFL technique can resolve axial holes of 2 mm hole-to-hole separation but not circumferential holes. The RFEC technique can detect axial holes as a single hole but is unable to detect circumferential holes, resulting in no spatial resolution for the axial and circumferential holes. Compared to the MFL and RFEC signals, IRIS readily discerns the spatial extent of the flaws with the possibility of sizing from the images. The study also reveals that the resolution capability of the IRIS technique is influenced by the speed of the turbine rotation inside the tube.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document