RELIABLE RADIOGRAPHIC INSPECTION OF FLEXIBLE RISERS FOR THE OIL INDUSTRY

Journal Article · Mon Feb 22 04:00:00 EST 2010 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3362270· OSTI ID:21371019

Almeida, Romulo M; Rebello, Joao Marcos A ^[1]; Vaz, Murilo A ^[2]

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1. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering COPPE/UFRJ-Federal University of Rio de Janeiro P.O. Box 68505 CEP 21941-972, Rio de Janeiro RJ (Brazil)
2. Department of Ocean Engineering-COPPE/UFRJ (Brazil)

Flexible risers are composite tubular structures manufactured by the concentric assemblage of cylindrical polymeric and helically wound metallic layers employed to convey pressurized fluids such as oil, gas and water in the ocean environment. The metallic layers account for the flexible risers' structural strength and are dimensioned according to the static and dynamic loads. They are usually installed in a free hanging catenary configuration and are subjected to the direct action of waves and marine currents and wave induced motions from the oil production platform. The fatigue rupture of wire armours in the end fitting or within the riser segment protected by the bend stiffener is an object of major concern. Integrity models have been developed, however inspection techniques are mandatory to ensure that failure is detected. Gammagraphy has been used as a common inspection technique in all regions of the flexible riser, mainly with the single wall-single view method. On the other side, there is not any qualified radiographic procedure to this kind of structure. Radiographic simulation was adopted and its validation with actual gammagraphies and establishment of radiographic parameters to complex radiation geometries were done. Results show the viability of the radiographic inspection analyzing the armour wires' rupture and the displacement between wires.

• OSTI ID: 21371019
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 1211; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CONFIGURATION
CRACKS
CYLINDRICAL CONFIGURATION
DYNAMIC LOADS
FAILURES
FATIGUE
GAMMA RADIOGRAPHY
IMAGE PROCESSING
INDUSTRIAL RADIOGRAPHY
INDUSTRY
LAYERS
MATERIALS
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
OIL SHALE INDUSTRY
PROCESSING
RUPTURES
SIMULATION
TESTING
WIRES