Forced Resonance Imaging for Buried Pipeline Detection
Bakhtar Research and Engineering, LLC
Recipient
Costa Mesa, CA
Recipient Location
37th
Senate District
73rd
Assembly District
$1,255,711
Amount Spent
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
The project team first tested the developed system at PG&E's training facility in Winters, CA. The system successfully detected and located buried plastic and metal pipes with 3D location information. The system was further demonstrated at multiple site locations in PG&E service territory. The field demonstration report is being prepared.
The Issue
Incorrect information regarding underground pipeline location, or failure to detect their presence at all, has caused billions of dollars in damages to California's gas infrastructure. Hence, accurate information regarding pipes is essential, particularly for purposes of excavation. However, existing locating technologies have had various limitations, and their locating accuracy is dependent on many factors, such as pipe materials and availability of tracer wires. The difficulties associated with accurately locating buried pipes demonstrate the need for a more advanced non-invasive tool with the ability to detect both plastic and metallic pipes and determine their locations with improved accuracy.
Project Innovation
The project developed and provided an advanced technological tool capable of more accurately detecting and locating buried pipes, as well as distinguishing between metallic and non-metallic pipes. These technological advancements and breakthroughs are important for safe and reliable delivery and operation of underground pipelines, especially considering the increased use of such pipelines due to population growth.
Project Goals
Project Benefits
This project will reduce or eliminate potential excavation-caused damage to pipelines, enhance operational safety in pipeline fields, and promote reliable and safe operations for delivering gas to ratepayers via buried pipelines.
Reliability
The technology has potential to improve the reliability of pipeline systems by providing more accurate and complete location information for pipeline asset management and inspection.
Safety
The technology locates underground pipelines with better accuracy and provides depth information. This improves the safety of pipeline systems by avoiding damages due to lack of pipeline location.
Key Project Members
Khosrow Bakhtar
Subrecipients
Rohde & Schwarz
Match Partners
Bakhtar Research and Engineering, LLC
