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WHAT IS THE ULTRASONIC IN-LINE INSPECTION (ILI) PIGGING?

In-line inspection (ILI) of pipelines has established itself as the most efficient tool for evaluating the condition of a pipeline and an indispensable part of pipeline integrity management. Historically, there have been two major technologies used in in-line inspection for corrosion, the magnetic flux leakage (MFL) and ultrasonics (UT), each having their distinct properties and fields of application. 



Ultrasonic (UT) ILI has always provided unique quality of information about the pipelines, rendering highest accuracy and tightest measurement tolerances. In the 1990s ultrasonic tools for detection of cracks have become available.

Ultrasonic measurement principle: ultrasonic transducer slides along the internal surface of the pipe wall measuring distance to the wall and the wall thickness (top), yielding the stand-off and the wall thickness (bottom two B-scans)

Ultrasonic (UT) based In Line Inspection tools for all types of liquid filled pipelines.

This includes Ultrasonic MultiChannel ILI’s (UT-MC) for high speed long length pipeline corrosion (metal loss) inspection.

Ultrasonic Rotary ILI’s (UT-R) for super high resolution in short to medium length pipelines (<30km) for corrosion (metal loss) inspection. Recommended for old and/or severely corroded pipelines to provide a higher level of detail and accuracy in corroded areas.


Ultrasonic Crack Detection and Sizing ILI’s (CS) for detecting and measurements of axial (ERW) and circumferential cracks larger than 1.0 mm. The Ultrasonic ILI’s require a liquid in the pipeline in order to operate (diesel, crude, water, Naphtha, etc.) and offer direct and accurate measurements in mm/thousand of an inch, as opposed to volumetric measurements in % of other types of ILI’s, thereby offering greater detail and accuracy.

All Ultrasonic ILI’s are tested and proven in full scale test loops and infinity loops to ensure performance as a minimum comply with the POF-2016 standard ( POF specifications for In-line Inspection of Pipelines).

UT Intelligent Pigs can be used to inspect any diameter of pipelines, with any thickness and of virtually any type of material, such as:

  • Carbon Steel
  • Austenitic Steel
  • High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
  • HDPE or PE Lined
  • GRE/GRP pipelines
  • Subsea or Above Ground
  • Bare, Coated or Insulated
  • Cladded or lined pipelines

Read more: Ultrasonic In-Line Inspection ofPipelines, New Generation of Tools (Pdf)

  Source: https://www.dacon-inspection.com/

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