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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

THE APPLICATION OF RADIOISOTOPES FOR ON-SITE INSPECTION OF THE STATE OF FRENCH GASMAINS

Journal Article · · Microtecnic
OSTI ID:4829448
The welds are inspected by using pinpoint sources of Co/sup 60/, Cs/sup 137/,Ir/sup 192/, or Tm/sup 170/ depending upon the thickness of the pipeline walls. Cracks and other defects can be detected by using the lowest energy source suitable for the specific thickness and overexposing the high sensitive films. Fast inspections of large sections of pipelines (up to 1500 m) can be made by moving the radiation source in a carriage inside the pipeline on a traction cable attached to a piston operated by compressed air. The inside of the pipeline becomes covered with dust or other deposits or corroded by condensation of chemically active material, and since it must withstand great pressure, it has to be cleaned regularly with the scraper piston and checked for corrosion. The progress of the scraper can be followed, and the corrosion can be detected by equipping the scraper with a radiation source (preferably Co/sup 60/ or Ir/sup 192/) and measuring the gamma -ray attenuation by moving a Geiger counter outside the pipeline and parallel to the scraper. The main system, which includes branches and meter stations equipped with gas valves, can also be checked for the presence of foreign bodies or leaks. Mathematical calculations and instructions for obtaining optimum results with radioisotopes are appended. (OID)
Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-16-024060
OSTI ID:
4829448
Journal Information:
Microtecnic, Journal Name: Microtecnic Vol. Vol: 16
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English