Fault location method for unexposed gas trunk line insulation at stray current constant effect area

Abstract

For the purpose of gas trunk lines safe operation, two types of pipe wall metal anticorrosion protection are generally used - the passive (insulation coating) protection and the active (electrochemical) protection. In the process of a pipeline long-term operation, its insulation is subject to wear and damage. Electrochemical protection means of a certain potential value prevent metal dissolution in the soil. When insulation wear and tear attains a level of insufficiency of the protection potential value, the insulating coating needs repair which is a labor-consuming procedure. To reduce the risk of such situation, it is necessary to make inspection rounds to monitor the condition of pipe insulation. A method for pipeline insulation coating unexposed fault location based on Pearson method is considered, wherein a working cathodic protection station signal of 100 Hz frequency is used, which makes installation of a generator unnecessary, and also a specific generator signal of 1 kHz frequency is used at high noise immunity and sensitivity of the instrument complex. This method enables detection and sizing of unexposed pipeline defects within the zones of earth current permanent action. High noise immunity of selective indicators allows for operation in proximity to 110 kV, 220 kV, and 500 kV power transmission lines in action.