New GRI facility focuses on inspection technology R and D

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Pipeline and Gas Journal; (United States)

OSTI ID:6844083

A sophisticated pipeline testing facility currently under construction will provide researchers and gas pipeline companies with the ability to develop and improve inspection technologies without risking the integrity of an operating pipeline. The $10-million project is being funded by the Gas Research Institute, Chicago. The facility took 5 years to plan and design. The GRI Pipeline Simulation Facility contains four parts: nondestructive evaluation laboratory; pull rig; test bed vehicles; flow loop. The laboratory is housed at Battelle's Columbus, Ohio offices, with the other facilities located at Battelle's West Jefferson site. Research programs at the PSF will focus on improving methods of finding and sizing defects in pipe for the continued development of on-line inspection equipment. The nearly mile-long test loop at the facility will simulate an operating pipeline. It will be used for pipeline inspection, operations, maintenance and rehabilitation research projects. The test loop will include realistic features such as bends, road crossings and underground sections. The research is expected to focus on developing new ways to control pipeline corrosion, improve databases for better record keeping, lead to a better understanding of the loads and possible failure mechanisms of pipeline, and result in improved emissions controls for compressor installations.

• OSTI ID: 6844083
• Journal Information: Pipeline and Gas Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Pipeline and Gas Journal; (United States) Vol. 221:7; ISSN PLGJAT; ISSN 0032-0188
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
032000* -- Natural Gas-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
42 ENGINEERING
420205 -- Engineering-- Transport & Storage Facilities-- (1980-)
BATTELLE COLUMBUS LABORATORY
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
INSPECTION
LEAK TESTING
MATERIALS TESTING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NATURAL GAS
PIPELINES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
TESTING
TRANSPORT
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS