GE Hitachi Ultrasonic Robot Completes Inspection of Buried Pipe at Texas Nuclear Power Plant
Posted: 2014-12-13
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) announced today that its ultrasonic robot,
SurveyorTM, successfully inspected a section of underground pipe at the South
Texas Project Electric Generating Station.
The inspection at the site of two Westinghouse-built pressurized water reactors
near Bay City, Texas, marks the first deployment of the state-of-the-art robot at
a nuclear power plant.
The SurveyorTM articulated robot used a single access point to inspect
approximately 30’ of an aluminum-bronze alloy service water pipe with a 6"
diameter. The robot inspected a 10’ vertical section, negotiated a 90-degree
elbow and then inspected a 20’ horizontal section.
The internal diameter inspection was completed in less than eight hours and
required no modification to the piping system. By contrast, inspections
performed with other solutions outside of the pipe itself require time consuming
excavation that could cost up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. While
outside-based inspections are limited to the exposed length of pipe, SurveyorTM
is capable of inspecting an entire length of pipe.
"Underground pipes are a key component of nuclear power plants but are
difficult to inspect and sometimes inaccessible," said Richard Rossi, GEH Vice
President, Asset Management Services. "This technology enables an entire length
of underground pipe to be inspected without the risk and expense of
excavation."
Nuclear power plants have extensive piping systems. Inspections are conducted
to ensure the structural integrity of underground piping. Nuclear plant operators
in the U.S. have adopted an initiative to proactively manage the reliability of
underground piping with a goal of protecting structural integrity and preventing
leaks. GEH’s technology addresses the industry’s need to inspect vulnerable
piping and also meet regulatory requirements associated with plant life
extension.
SurveyorTM is self-propelled with an umbilical which provides power and a live
data feed to a control station. The robotic tool can inspect filled, partially-filled
or drained pipes from 6" – 48" in diameter. As inspection data is collected a
preliminary interpretation is performed in real time.
GEH developed SurveyorTM in collaboration with GE Industrial Systems which has
successfully used the tool to conduct numerous buried pipe inspections within
the oil and gas industry. In addition to ultrasonic robotic inspection technology,
GEH offers electromagnetic robotic technology capable of inspecting pipes with
non-ferritic liners such as concrete lined pipes.
About GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Based in Wilmington, N.C., GEH is a world-leading provider of advanced reactors
and nuclear services. Established in June 2007, GEH is a part of a global nuclear
alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve the global nuclear industry. The
nuclear alliance executes a single, strategic vision to create a broader portfolio of
solutions, expanding its capabilities for new reactor and service opportunities.
The alliance offers customers around the world the technological leadership
required to effectively enhance reactor performance, power output and safety.
Image: A GEH technician prepares the ultrasonic inspection robot for deployment
into an underground pipe at South Texas Project.
SurveyorTM, successfully inspected a section of underground pipe at the South
Texas Project Electric Generating Station.
The inspection at the site of two Westinghouse-built pressurized water reactors
near Bay City, Texas, marks the first deployment of the state-of-the-art robot at
a nuclear power plant.
The SurveyorTM articulated robot used a single access point to inspect
approximately 30’ of an aluminum-bronze alloy service water pipe with a 6"
diameter. The robot inspected a 10’ vertical section, negotiated a 90-degree
elbow and then inspected a 20’ horizontal section.
The internal diameter inspection was completed in less than eight hours and
required no modification to the piping system. By contrast, inspections
performed with other solutions outside of the pipe itself require time consuming
excavation that could cost up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. While
outside-based inspections are limited to the exposed length of pipe, SurveyorTM
is capable of inspecting an entire length of pipe.
"Underground pipes are a key component of nuclear power plants but are
difficult to inspect and sometimes inaccessible," said Richard Rossi, GEH Vice
President, Asset Management Services. "This technology enables an entire length
of underground pipe to be inspected without the risk and expense of
excavation."
Nuclear power plants have extensive piping systems. Inspections are conducted
to ensure the structural integrity of underground piping. Nuclear plant operators
in the U.S. have adopted an initiative to proactively manage the reliability of
underground piping with a goal of protecting structural integrity and preventing
leaks. GEH’s technology addresses the industry’s need to inspect vulnerable
piping and also meet regulatory requirements associated with plant life
extension.
SurveyorTM is self-propelled with an umbilical which provides power and a live
data feed to a control station. The robotic tool can inspect filled, partially-filled
or drained pipes from 6" – 48" in diameter. As inspection data is collected a
preliminary interpretation is performed in real time.
GEH developed SurveyorTM in collaboration with GE Industrial Systems which has
successfully used the tool to conduct numerous buried pipe inspections within
the oil and gas industry. In addition to ultrasonic robotic inspection technology,
GEH offers electromagnetic robotic technology capable of inspecting pipes with
non-ferritic liners such as concrete lined pipes.
About GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Based in Wilmington, N.C., GEH is a world-leading provider of advanced reactors
and nuclear services. Established in June 2007, GEH is a part of a global nuclear
alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve the global nuclear industry. The
nuclear alliance executes a single, strategic vision to create a broader portfolio of
solutions, expanding its capabilities for new reactor and service opportunities.
The alliance offers customers around the world the technological leadership
required to effectively enhance reactor performance, power output and safety.
Image: A GEH technician prepares the ultrasonic inspection robot for deployment
into an underground pipe at South Texas Project.
