Non-intrusive corrosion-erosion monitoring for subsea applications
Geir Instanes A , Sindre Kristiansen A and Olav Brakstad AClampOn AS
The APPEA Journal 51(1) 543-548 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ10038
Published: 2011
Abstract
Detection and monitoring of corrosion and erosion are essential prognostic means in preserving material integrity and reducing the life-cycle cost of industrial infrastructure, ships, aircrafts, ground vehicles, pipelines, oil installations, etc. Even topside, the operating conditions can be extremely difficult, facing problems like pipe surface roughness, fluid loading, temperature variations, and a host of other factors that make development of a robust wall thickness assessment tool a challenging task. Deploying a monitoring system subsea makes the application even more demanding when factors such as high pressure and limited access must be taken into account. The ClampOn Corrosion-Erosion Monitor has already been successfully installed at several locations topside and is now in its final stages of the subsea development. Non-invasiveness, high repeatability and high coverage are among its advantages, making it an excellent candidate for subsea use. The technology is based on the dispersion of ultrasonic guided wave modes. By using electromagnetism these waves can be transmitted through the pipe wall without the sensor being in direct contact with the metallic surface. It is installed on the outer pipe wall to produce real-time wall thickness information, not as a spot measurement, but as a unique average path wall thickness.
Geir Instanes is the vice president of ClampOn AS. He finished his education as an instrumentation engineer in 1988 and has been working with the development of ultrasonic sensors in the oil and gas industry for almost 20 years. Mr Instanes is one of the entrepreneurs and owners of ClampOn. The company was established in 1994 and has grown to be the world’s largest supplier of ultrasonic intelligent sensors. Mr Instanes also holds the position of R&D Manager in ClampOn and strives to continue the development of ClampOn’s instruments to always be in the forefront with new and improved technologies. Geir.Instanes@clampon.com |
Sindre Halse Kristiansen works as a developer in ClampOn AS. He holds a Master’s degree in measurement science and a Bachelor’s degree in automation. Since he joined the company as a graduate in 2008, he has worked mainly with ultrasonic, with an emphasis on Lamb waves. He has been heavily involved with the development of ClampOn’s Corrosion-Erosion Monitor (CEM), both topside and subsea. Sindre.Kristiansen@clampon.com |
Olav Brakstad is an engineer in electronics and instrumentation, focusing on radar and sonar technology. Mr Brakstad started his professional career by establishing his own consultancy company before joining Systemcom as a systems engineer for long and short wave radio systems. He returned to the marine electronics industry in 1996, working for Westronic, before joining ClampOn in 1999. During his 12 years in ClampOn, Mr Brakstad has gained firsthand experience and extensive knowledge on acoustic sand monitoring systems. He is now ClampOn’s Sales Manager for the Eastern Hemisphere. |
