Metallic Joint Locator (MJL)

Commercial Product

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Damage Prevention and Mitigation -- Pipe Locating

The Ultra-Trac MJL provides an easy way to locate cast-iron joints, chill rings in welded steel pipe, metallic tapping tees, metallic flanges, and metal repair clamps. In field tests, the MJL was also able to detect bell and spigot joints for an eight-inch-diameter water main buried at a depth of six feet.

Natural gas utilities needed a technique to accurately locate features on metallic piping. The concept focused on locating bell and spigot joints on cast iron piping. The change in cross section at such features produces a change in how the piping interacts with a magnetic field. The concept was proven in the laboratory and was also broadened to include such features as welds.

Increased Safety - The technology increases the safety of excavation damage by locating cast iron pipes, and the reliability of pinpointing the joints locations

Reduced Operations Cost - The tool reduces the costs associated with excavations for leak repairs at the cast iron joints.

- Metallic Joint Locator Development, Operations Technology Development, OTD Project Report 1.7.d., Sept. 2010.
- SENSIT Technologies, www.gasleaksensors.com