Explorer 30/36

Under Development

Invodane Engineering More »

Northeast Gas Association/NYSEARCH

Threats and Integrity Management -- Anomaly Detection and Characterization

The Explorer 30/36 tool is one of a series of pipeline robots designed by Invodane Engineering, including Explorer 6/8, Explorer 10/14 and Explorer 20/26. The system is battery-powered to inspect 30 – 36 inch pipe diameters. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) tested the 20-ft long robot in its gas transmission pipelines as part of the utility’s effort to increase pipeline safety throughout their service area.

Unlike traditional “smart pigs” used for in-line inspection and propelled by natural gas within the pipeline, the untethered Explorer robotic tools are battery-powered and controlled wirelessly. This allows Explorer robots to navigate through live pipelines that are considered “unpiggable” because of low-pressure conditions or other restrictions including sharp bends and plug valves.

Increased Safety - In-line inspection is one of the primary methods to ensure pipelines are free of defects or to identify those in need of corrective action. This technology provides a means of performing the inspection under live conditions in unpiggable large diameter pipes.

NYSEARCH, Copyright 2016. http://www.nysearch.org/news-info-item1.php