Intrinsically Locatable Technology for Plastic Piping Systems

Under Development

Operations Technology Development (OTD) More »

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

This project developed and tested a technology to intrinsically locate polyethylene (PE) materials with an integral electronic marking system. Electronic markers are detectable passive devices that do not use batteries. They include electrical or mechanical resonators. Resonators can be energized by an above-ground transceiver which causes them to generate their own magnetic field. OTD partnered with Gas Technology Institute (GTI), 3M Company, and a large pipe manufacturer for this project. 3M will develop the electronic markers and work with the pipe manufacturer to attach the marker to the PE pipe. GTI will provide third-party testing and analysis of the developed system.

The project will complete the development, define and test the electronic marker capability, validate the attachment design, and perform laboratory and field testing

Increased Safety - The precise location of a buried electronic marker is indicated by the portable locator's display and sound output. Marking buried plastic pipe with an electronic marker gives a unique detection signature for each utility by frequency selection, gives near continuous location detection of the pipe path, and allows the estimation of the depth to pipe.

https://primis.phmsa.dot.gov/matrix/PrjHome.rdm?prj=654