Pipeline Condition Assessment Archives

Challenge

An engineering consultant, engaged by a water utility to investigate an asbestos cement (AC) water main break, required accurate and timely data on the pipe’s remaining wall thickness.

This information was crucial for determining the root cause of the failure and providing recommendations for future prevention. Traditional methods of assessing pipe wall thickness can be time-consuming and destructive, potentially compromising the integrity of the failed pipe section.

Solution

Faced with this challenge, the consultant turned to Aqua Analytics and their innovative PipeScanner technology (licensed from Acquaint).

PipeScanner offers a non-destructive solution for assessing the remaining wall thickness of pipes, providing accurate and quantifiable data without causing further damage to the already compromised pipe section.

Unlike traditional methods that can be time-consuming and may require cutting or damaging the pipe, PipeScanner utilises ultrasonic pulses to measure wall thickness. This advanced technology allows for quick and precise measurements, minimising disruption to the consultant’s investigation and preserving the pipe’s integrity for further analysis.

By employing PipeScanner, Aqua Analytics could provide the engineering consultant with the critical data needed to understand the pipe’s condition and determine the underlying causes of the failure. This information would be crucial in developing recommendations for preventing future incidents and ensuring the long-term reliability of the trunk water main.

Methodology

Site Mobilisation: The team quickly mobilised to the site where the failed pipe section had been exhumed and set up in a contractors yard for easy access.
PipeScanner Deployment: The PipeScanner device was carefully positioned on the pipe section, ensuring proper contact and alignment for accurate measurements. The PipeScanner device provides visual guides in the form of green and red LED lights, allowing the Field Technician to understand the data quality throughout the inspection.
Data Acquisition: Four individual scans were conducted at different locations along the pipe wall, capturing detailed thickness measurements but longitudinally and circumferentially.
Data Analysis and Reporting: The collected data was analysed, and a comprehensive report was generated, providing the engineering consultant with precise measurements of the remaining wall thickness at each scan location. The report formats are both in PDF and CSV allowing the consultant to view clear and easily interpretable visualisations of the wall thickness, but also receive raw data for incorporation into other systems.

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ rapid response and utilisation of PipeScanner technology provided the engineering consultant with critical data for their water main failure investigation.

The accurate and timely assessment of the pipe’s remaining wall thickness enabled the consultant to determine the cause of the failure and offer informed recommendations for preventing future incidents. This case study highlights the value of innovative technologies like PipeScanner in supporting efficient and effective pipeline failure forensics irrespective of the pipeline material.

Challenge

The owner of a wastewater treatment plant faced a critical challenge with their aging effluent outfall pipeline.

Two previous failures in 2013 had resulted in effluent spills into a nearby bay, raising environmental concerns and highlighting the need for proactive pipeline management.

The pipeline, constructed in the early 1980s and comprised of a mix of DICL, AC, and HDPE pipes, was potentially susceptible to further leaks and failures.

Solution

To assess the pipeline’s condition and identify potential leak points, Aqua Analytics was engaged to conduct an inline inspection using the free-swimming AquaSphere technology.

This innovative tool is specifically designed for leak and gas pocket detection in pressurised pipelines. It provides valuable insights into the pipeline’s integrity without requiring disruptive excavations.

The inspection methodology included:

Comprehensive Pre-Mobilisation Planning: Aqua Analytics conducted extensive pre-mobilisation planning, including a detailed review of pipeline schematics, historical data, and site-specific conditions. This ensured efficient execution and minimised potential disruptions during the inspection.
Pipeline Preparation: The pipeline was prepared for the inspection, ensuring proper access and flow conditions for the AquaSphere device.
AquaSphere Deployment: The free-swimming AquaSphere was inserted into the pipeline and propelled by the flow of effluent.
Data Acquisition: As the AquaSphere traveled through the pipeline, it continuously collected acoustic data, detecting and locating leaks and gas pockets.
Data Analysis and Reporting: The collected data was analyzed to pinpoint the exact location and size of any leaks or anomalies. A comprehensive report was provided to the client, detailing the findings and recommendations for remediation.

Measureable Outcomes

Comprehensive Leak Detection: The AquaSphere did not locate any leaks, but the methodology and data collective gives confidence to the asset owner that the pipeline is leak-free.
Preventive Maintenance: The AquaSphere located several gas pockets cross the pipeline length, which invervention will assist with mitigating the risk of future failures and environmental damage.
Improved Asset Management: The data collected through the AquaSphere inspection provided valuable insights into the pipeline's condition, supporting informed asset management decisions and extending its operational lifespan.
Enhanced Environmental Stewardship: By proactively identifying and addressing leaks, the client demonstrated a commitment to environmental stewardship, minimising the risk of future spills and protecting the surrounding ecosystem.

Conclusion

By utilising AquaSphere technology, Aqua Analytics provided the client with a comprehensive understanding of the condition of their wastewater outfall pipeline.

The proactive leak detection and assessment enabled the client to address potential issues before they escalated, preventing further environmental damage and ensuring the long-term integrity of their critical infrastructure.

This case study demonstrates the value of advanced technologies like AquaSphere in managing ageing pipeline infrastructure.

Water utilities and other organisations can minimise risks, reduce costs, and safeguard the environment by investing in proactive inspections with proven techniques.

Challenge

The water utility faced a persistent problem with a troublesome water main that suffered frequent failures. This main, constructed from a combination of Cast Iron Cement-Lined (CICL) and Ductile Iron Cement-Lined (DICL) pipes, some of which had installation dates back over 100 years, was prone to leaks and breaks, causing service disruptions, costly repairs, and potential safety hazards. Traditional inspection methods were disruptive and time-consuming, making it difficult to pinpoint the root causes of the failures.

Solution

The utility engaged Aqua Analytics to conduct a non-invasive pipeline condition assessment using KenWave Dynamic Response Imaging™ (DRI) technology. DRI is an innovative acoustic method that provides detailed insights into pipeline integrity without requiring excavation or disruption to service. Aqua Analytics’ comprehensive approach includes:

Site Visit and Inspection Plan: A thorough site visit assessed the pipeline's layout, accessibility, and specific challenges. This information was used to develop a customised inspection plan, ensuring efficient and accurate data collection.
Non-Invasive Data Collection: Aqua Analytics' technicians deployed portable DRI equipment, utilising acoustic signals to assess the pipeline's condition. This non-invasive method allowed for data collection without disrupting service or requiring excavation.
Data Analysis and Reporting: The collected data was analysed using KenWave's proprietary algorithms, providing a detailed assessment of the pipeline's structural integrity, including wall thickness, stiffness, and potential defects. Aqua Analytics then provided the utility with a comprehensive report with GIS files for easy integration into their existing systems.
Exhumation and Validation: To confirm the accuracy of the DRI assessment, the utility excavated a section of the pipeline for visual inspection and validation. The results strongly validated the DRI findings, confirming the presence of the identified defects and the need for proactive maintenance.

Results

Accurate Condition Assessment: DRI technology accurately identified the underlying causes of the pipeline's frequent failures, including areas of reduced wall thickness, corrosion, and structural weaknesses.
Targeted Repairs and Replacements: Based on the DRI data, the utility could prioritise repairs and replacements, first addressing the most critical issues and preventing future failures.
Improved Asset Management: The detailed pipeline condition assessment provided valuable insights for the utility's asset management program, enabling it to develop a proactive maintenance strategy for the long-term health of its infrastructure.
Reduced Service Disruptions: By addressing the root causes of the pipeline failures, the utility minimised service disruptions and ensured a more reliable water supply for its customers.

Client Benefits

Non-Invasive and Efficient: DRI technology provided a fast, non-invasive, and efficient way to assess the pipeline's condition without disrupting service or requiring costly excavations.
Accurate and Actionable Insights: The detailed DRI assessment enabled the utility to make informed decisions regarding repairs and replacements, prioritising the most critical areas.
Improved Asset Management: The data collected through DRI helped the utility develop a proactive maintenance strategy, extending the lifespan of its infrastructure and minimising future failures.
Cost Savings: By preventing future leaks and breaks, the project contributed significant cost savings regarding repairs, water loss, and operational disruptions.

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ successful implementation of KenWave DRI technology for this challenging pipeline assessment demonstrates the power of innovative solutions in addressing the complex issues of aging infrastructure. By providing accurate, actionable insights and a noninvasive approach, Aqua Analytics empowered the water utility to proactively manage its assets, reduce failures, and ensure a more reliable water supply.

Challenge

The transport hub, responsible for the movement of 28 million tonnes of cargo annually, identified a critical vulnerability within its water infrastructure. A single trunk water main served a key operational area, posing a significant risk to ongoing operations and the broader economy. To mitigate this risk, the client sought a comprehensive assessment of the water main’s condition to inform strategic asset management decisions.

Solution

The transport hub engaged Aqua Analytics to conduct a non-invasive condition assessment of a critical asbestos cement (AC) water main. The evaluation utilised KenWave Dynamic Response Imaging (DRI) technology, a cutting-edge vibroacoustic method that provides detailed insights into pipeline integrity without requiring excavation or disruption to operations.

Aqua Analytics’ approach included:

Nighttime Operations: The assessment was conducted during nighttime hours, adhering to strict safety protocols to avoid disrupting the transport hub's critical operations and minimising environmental noise.
DRI Technology: DRI technology was employed to gather precise data on the water main's wall thickness, structural integrity, and potential points of concern.
Expert Analysis: Aqua Analytics engaged a specialist third-party condition assessment engineer to analyse the DRI data and conduct a remaining useful life (RUL) analysis using advanced algorithms.
Strategic Planning: The RUL analysis, combined with the detailed condition assessment, provided the client with crucial information to inform long-term asset management strategies, ensuring the ongoing reliability of the water main.

Results

Comprehensive Condition Assessment: The DRI technology revealed variations in wall thickness along the pipeline, pinpointing areas of reduced structural integrity.
Remaining Useful Life Prediction: The analysis projected the water main's remaining useful life until 2066, assuming continued operation at the current pressure levels and accounting for potential surges.
Strategic Decision-Making: Armed with accurate data and expert analysis, the transport hub made informed decisions regarding maintenance, repair, or potential replacement of the water main, mitigating risks and ensuring long-term operational reliability.

Client Benefits

Risk Mitigation: The project significantly reduced the risk of unexpected water main failures, safeguarding the transport hub's operations and minimising potential economic disruptions.
Proactive Asset Management: The detailed condition assessment and RUL prediction enabled the client to develop a proactive maintenance and replacement strategy for the critical water main.
Minimised Disruption: Aqua Analytics conducted the assessment at night to ensure minimal disruption to the transport hub's daily operations.
Cost-Effective Solution: DRI technology offers a non-invasive and cost-effective alternative to traditional assessment methods, saving the client time and resources.

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ expertise in pipeline condition assessment and the advanced DRI technology played a crucial role in safeguarding the critical water infrastructure of a major Queensland transport hub. By providing accurate data and expert analysis, Aqua Analytics empowered the client to make informed decisions, mitigating risk and ensuring the continued smooth operation of their vital transportation network.

The Challenge

This Regional Water Utility faced the need for a fast, non-invasive method to assess the condition of a 300mm asbestos cement (AC) water main. The primary objectives were to:

Our Solution

The client engaged Aqua Analytics to conduct a pipeline condition assessment using KenWave’s DRI technology. This innovative acoustic solution offered a non-disruptive approach to evaluate the pipeline’s structural integrity without requiring costly and time-consuming excavations. The process involved:

Data Collection: A team of Aqua Analytics technicians utilised portable DRI equipment to record acoustic signals along the pipeline at predetermined access points.
Data Analysis: The collected data was securely transmitted to KenWave for analysis using proprietary algorithms that assessed pipe stiffness, identified leaks, and pinpointed areas of potential weakness.
Reporting: Aqua Analytics provided the client with a comprehensive report detailing the pipeline's condition, including a stiffness profile, leak locations, and recommendations for further action.

Results

One-Day Assessment: The entire assessment process, including data collection, analysis, and reporting, was completed within a single day, minimising disruption to the water supply system.
Validated Accuracy: The client excavated a section of pipe for independent laboratory testing. The results strongly correlate with Aqua Analytics' DRI assessment and measured wall thickness, validating the technology's accuracy.
Client Satisfaction: The client was highly satisfied with the efficiency, accuracy, and non-invasive nature of the DRI assessment, confirming its alignment with their needs.

Client Quote: “In our minds, the DRI results and the validation testing align.”

Key Benefits

Rapid Assessment: DRI technology enables quick pipeline condition assessments without requiring extensive excavations or service disruptions.
Accurate Results: DRI provides reliable data on pipe stiffness, leaks, and potential weak points, facilitating informed decision-making regarding repairs and replacements.
Cost-Effective: DRI's noninvasive nature reduces the costs associated with traditional assessment methods, making it a budget-friendly solution for water utilities.

Conclusion

The successful implementation of DRI technology showcases the power of innovative solutions in addressing the challenges of aging infrastructure. The rapid, accurate, and non-disruptive assessment gave the client valuable insights into their pipeline’s condition, empowering them to proactively manage their assets and ensure reliable water service for their community.