MODULE 3.

PIPE SCANNING

3.1. PRINCIPLES
Pipe scanning technique in fact is a derivation of gamma scanning technique for pipes. Its
principle is shown in Fig. 3.1. It can be used to detect:

solids build-up
refractory quality and losses
slugging effects
vapor and liquid presence in the line.

FIG. 3.1. Gamma pipe scanner

There are a number of radioisotope sources, which can be used; two of them are mostly used
Cs with a gamma-ray energy of 662 keV (half-life 30 years), and 60Co with gamma-ray energies of
1172 keV and 1332 keV (half-life 5.27 years). The source activity is calculated accepting a dose rate
of approximately 1.0 - 1.5 mR/h.
137

Before executing any pipe scanning, the following information must be requested:

the inside diameter and wall thickness of the pipe,

the medium in the pipeline (gas, liquid or slurry)

A jack guide is used in order that source and detector can be synchronized and always maintain
the same distance between. The source must be collimated with a collimator of 6 - 8 mm and 10 mm
deep in order to obtain a narrow radiation beam. The detector can be collimated with a collimator of
approximately 90% of the detector detection area.
A reference scan is obtained on a representative area of the pipeline that is clean and deposit
free.
Figure 3.2 gives the most important parameters to design a pipe scan system, while Fig. 3.3
presents some typical applications.

FIG. 3.2. Design of a pipe scan system

FIG. 3.3. Applications of pipe scan technique for monitoring various pipes
2

3.2. PIPE SCAN APPLICATIONS

Some applications of pipe scanning are described below.
3.2.1. Pipe scan for monitoring blockage, corrosion and other defects in pipelines
Figure 3.4 shows some typical examples of applications of pipe gamma scanning technique for
monitoring various defects inside the pipelines.

FIG. 3.4. Some applications of pipe scanning

3.3. GAMMA-RAY SCAN INVESTIGATION ON A FCC TRANSFER LINE

The main function of a Fluidized Catalyst Cracking (FCC) reactor is to convert vacuum gas oils
into gasoline and gas. The fine ceramic powder catalyst facilitates cracking reaction process when
comes in contact with hydrocarbons.
The deposit build-up of carbon catalyst on the inside walls of the transfer line is a common
problem in the FCC reactor. Gamma scanning of transfer line pipe is requested to be performed time
after time. A 10 mCi 137Cs radioactive source was used to inspect an 880 mm diameter line. This
source is suitable for detecting small changes in density, which can be correlated with deposits in the
pipeline.
The density () and the mass absorption coefficient () of the carbon/catalyst deposit for 137Cs
was experimentally determined in laboratory by simulating the deposit material into the pipe. The
radiation transmitted through the pipe is a function of the initial radiation intensity without absorber
(empty pipe), Io. Either of the variables x or can be measured if one of them is kept constant. If the
thickness is known or can be measured, density can be determined by the relation:
= ln(I/Io)/(-x)
If the density is constant or is known, the deposit thickness can be determined from a similar
equation:
x = ln(I/Io)/(-)
Gamma scan profiles were obtained every month. The experimental design and gamma
scanning positions are presented in the Fig. 50, while the typical results are shown graphically (Fig.
3.5).

FIG. 3.5. Experimental design for gamma scanninings in FCCU

From gamma profiles changes deductions can be made with regard to deposit thickness rate
over a period of time. Anomalies caused by material pieces collapsed inside the columns were
detected in some cases.

FIG. 3.5. Typical results for FCC Pipe deposit measurement

3.4. BEHAVIOUR OF A GAS/OIL TRANSPORT THROUGH PIPELINES

The oil coming from production wells from an oil field feeds a collector tank, called Primary
Collecting Station (PCS). In such a tank, the crude oil is primarily separated by gravity into slurry,
water, oil and gas. From the PCS the oil is fed into to a Separation Plant, where the oil is further
separated into gas and liquid. The oil/gas transport pipeline was inspected using gamma pipe scanner.
The pipe internal diameter was 61 cm.
During transit of oil-gas mixture through pipeline irregular liquid blocks with gas in between
are created. These blocks carry mechanical energy, which causes strong pipe vibrations. Mechanical
damage could result and dangerous gas might escape. It is important for plant operators to identify
liquid blocks, their frequency as well as their lengths in time and space.
A pipe inspection was carried out placing the detector-source arm about 10 meters before the
entrance to the separator vessel. A 10 mCi Co-60 source was used in a lead collimator. The source
detector arm was kept in vertical position. The calibration for liquid-oil and gas was performed in
horizontal position. Experimentally was found that the count rate of 2200 c/s represented gas phase
and 100 c/s liquid phase.
Figure 3.6 presents the principle of the Gamma scanning inspection of gas/oil transport through
a pipeline.

FIG. 3.6. Gamma scanning inspection of gas/oil transport through a pipeline

Figures 3.6 and 3.7 show the experimental work for the monitoring of behavior of oil/gas
mixture flow in a transporting pipeline.
The count rates recorded during one day (nearly 50000 data) were converted in liquid level
inside the pipe, based on gamma transmission equation. The height and time interval of each liquid
block, the interval of gas space between consecutive liquid blocks, the distribution of blocks in time
and the general behavior of the fluid during 24 hours were obtained.

FIG. 3.6. Installing source and detector on the pipeline

FIG. 3.7 Transport characteristics of gas/oil mixture into pipeline during a day
This chart shows non-steady and non-uniform flow of oil-gas phases through the pipe during the
time. Gas blocks created during transportation can cause strong vibration leading to mechanical
damage of the entire pipe. Knowing this abnormal flow regime a normal flow rate can be established
to avoid pipe damage.
3.5. PIPE INSPECTION FOR DEFECTS: BLOCKAGES, INTRUSION AND CORROSION.
Gamma scan technique for pipe inspection for possible defects, like blockages, intrusion and
corrosion is largely used in industry. Figure 3.8 shows the experimental work on a pipe segment for
measuring the wall thickness along the pipe, from which deduction on internal corrosion is obtained.
Results showed a non-uniform pipe with different wall thickness in the middle and at the end.

FIG. 3.8. Demonstration of gamma scanning technique for pipe inspection for possible defects, like
blockages, intrusion and corrosion.

3.6. DEPOSIT BUILD UP IN FURNACE HEADER

The pipe scan technique offers a powerful non-invasive inspection tool to examine the
operation/contents of pipeline across a wide range of process industries.
A customer was experiencing problems with temperature instruments along a furnace exit
header. These instruments were inspected and found to be working satisfactory. As the plant had been
on-line for a considerable period of time since a shutdown, carbon lay down was suspected.
Quantifying the extent of fouling inside the pipe was the challenge set for the pipe scan technique.
Measurements were taken at various intervals along the header in both the vertical and horizontal
direction (Fig. 3.9).

FIG. 3.9. Pipe scans along the header in vertical and horizontal directions
Figure 3.10 represents the results from the examination. These measurements allowed the
deposit profile inside the line to be determined. Quantifying the amount of fouling enabled the
customer to determine the best course of action rapidly and cost effectively.

FIG. 3.10. Results of pipe scans: deposit thickness inside the header