Comparative Analysis of In-line Inspection Equipments and Technologies

Considering the global aging of pipelines and demand for new ones in more and more hostile environments, in-line inspection (ILI) based on the Non-Destructive Testing(NDT) was essential for pipeline operating company to protect their asset efficiently. This paper reviewed kinds of state of the art of ILI techniques and equipments, including geometry pig (GP), magnetic flux leakage pig (MFL PIG), ultrasonic pig (UT PIG), electromagnetic acoustic pig (EMAT PIG), eddy current pig (EC PIG), integrated function pig and specific function pig. Through the review of kinds of techniques, different approaches were compared, challenges and problems were highlighted and future research and direction was suggested. (paper)