A simple vibration test can help oil and gas companies prevent pipeline spills in a way that is faster and cheaper than conventional methods, according to researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
The study, conducted at UBC’s Okanagan campus, found pipeline imperfections could be identified by “tapping” the side of a pipe and then measuring the resulting vibrations, known as modal analysis, against the vibrations predicted by computer models.
“After developing the mathematical platform and entering it into a computer, we can predict what the level of vibration should be if the pipeline that is being tapped is free of imperfections,” said Hadi Mohammadi, an assistant professor of engineering. “When I conducted the tap test on actual pipeline material and looked at the resulting patterns of vibrations, weak points could quickly be identified.
“This method of attaching small machines to pipelines that are above ground and having them tap and measure vibrations offer a faster and cheaper way to find cracks or patches of internal rust than the conventional method of using imaging techniques.”
Mohammadi, whose research area focuses on bio-engineering, began employing his “tap test” theory on pipeline material after testing its validity on human bones.
The “tap test” was equally useful in identifying areas of deficient bone density, which could be used to help identify conditions such as osteoporosis, he said.
Mohammadi’s study was recently published in the Journal of Pipeline Engineering.
