COMPARISON OF CMI AND ILI

Inline inspection tools (ILI) or »smart pigs« monitor pipelines for anomalies which dimensions can be as small as a few millimeters. The applicability of pigs is mainly dependent on the geometry of the pipeline and therefore 50% of the global pipeline network are unpiggable.

CMI is an advanced screening technology which monitors the safety of every metallic pipeline, without interrupting the product flow or needing direct access into the pipeline. It works independent of the pipeline’s geometry and information provided by CMI cannot be replicated by traditional integrity tools or inline inspection services.

  ILI CMI
Applicable on pipelines    
     With bend radius <3D no yes
     With different internal diameters no yes
     Without guide bars in T-branches no yes
     Without pig launcher no yes
     Which are not cleaned before inspection no yes
Interruption or change of product flow neccessary not neccessary
Pipelines that are of out of service no yes
  ILI CMI
Types of detected features    
     Internal features yes yes
     External features yes yes
     General corrosion yes yes
     Cracks special tools needed perpendicular cracks only
     Pitting corrosion yes no
     Lamination special tools needed direction dependent
     Deformation yes yes
Anomaly dimension classification absolute relative
Anomaly type classification yes no
Girth weld identification yes yes
Metal part identification yes yes
Pipeline localization relative absolute
Bend characterization yes yes
Right of Way (RoW) control no yes
Depth of cover (DoC) mapping no yes
  ILI CMI
Limitations    
     Response threshold level for features > 1 mm 20% of WT
     Maximum DoC does not matter up to 2 m
     Outer Diameter (OD) of pipelines > 6“ > 3“
     Electrical connection to the pipeline not necessary necessary
     RoW preparation not necessary free of heavy vegetation

CASE STUDY

Mapping – Case study

CMI is used for the 3D-mapping and digitalization of pipelines in a high consequence area

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It’s for a reason that we are amongst Germany’s Top 100 innovators. Because our mission is to overcome these inspection challenges and, together with our clients, continuously improve the safety and reliability of all pipelines.