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Mysterious Pipeline Inspection: How Does MFL Technology Reveal Hidden Corrosion Secrets?
With the increasing global demand for infrastructure safety, the importance of pipeline inspection technology has received increasing attention. Among them, magnetic flux leakage (MFL) detection technology, as a non-destructive detection method, is redefining our understanding of pipeline corrosion and defects. Before exploring the applications of this technology, let’s take a deeper look at the principles of MFL technology and its role in pipeline inspection.
Introduction of pipeline detection
There are many methods for pipeline integrity assessment, the most representative of which is the internal inspection tool (ILI). The MFL internal inspection tool is one of the longest-used technologies in pipeline inspection. This tool not only detects corrosion damage, but also assesses the integrity of the pipe wall. As technology evolves, high-resolution MFL-ILI devices have become the new standard, identifying anomalies in pipelines with greater reliability and accuracy, thereby reducing costly confirmatory excavations.
The high-resolution MFL technique not only accurately assesses the severity of corrosion features, but also defines pits, wrinkles, bowing deformations and cracks.
These advanced inspection technologies not only enable pipeline operators to identify necessary repairs, but also significantly improve the accuracy of their pipeline integrity management programs.
Background of MFL pipeline inspection tools
In the field of pipeline inspection, an inspection tool often referred to as a "pig" is actually a device that can enter a pipeline for cleaning or inspection. PIG is the abbreviation of "pipe inspection instrument". The earliest "pig" cleaning tool made a sound similar to pig squealing when running, so the name became popular. This term has now become a common term in the industry.
Smart inspection pigs contain electronic components that can collect data in real time while in the pipeline and detect anomalies as small as 1 square millimeter.
MFL Technology Principles
The MFL tool creates a magnetic circuit as it runs through the pipe and uses brushes to transfer magnetic flux from the tool to the pipe wall. As the tool operates, these sophisticated devices precisely measure changes in the magnetic field to identify potential damage to the pipeline.
The change in magnetic flux is like the flow of water around rocks. In order to solve the problem of metal loss, the MFL tool needs to sense the change in the magnetic field.
Data Analysis and Estimation of Corrosion Growth Rate
The main purpose of the MFL tool is to detect corrosion signatures in pipelines. Through previous testing and familiarity with defect data, the tool can be trained to accurately interpret the MFL signal to better predict the size of the corrosion features. This process not only increases the accuracy of inspections, but also optimizes the frequency of inspections, thereby improving the overall integrity management program.
Although MFL tools are primarily used to detect corrosion, they can also identify features they were not originally designed to recognize, such as dents and wrinkles.
Challenges of crack detection
In some cases, the MFL tool has found large non-axial cracks. While traditional MFL tools are designed to focus on detecting corrosion, experienced data analysts can identify specific defects through specific signals.
Conclusion
The rise and development of MFL technology has made us understand the complexity and challenges of pipeline inspection. As technology advances, will more advanced and accurate detection tools emerge in the future to meet the ever-changing infrastructure security needs?
