USING THE PCM FOR THE SIGNAL ATTENUATION COATING

SURVEY, HOLIDAY DETECTION, LEAK POINTS AND

TRACING/LOCATING THE PIPELINE
TECHNOLOGY EMPLOYED.
PIPELINE CURRENT MAPPER (PCM)
METHODOLOGY OF THE SYSTEM, DATA GATHERING AND
JUDGING CRITERIA
PIPELINE CURRENT MAPPER METHODOLOGY
The PCM system comprises of a transmitter, a receiver, an A frame and a
software amongst other accessories. The transmitter output leads are
connected to the target pipeline to be surveyed and a suitable earthing,
sacrificial anode or ground connection. Before this connection is done the
transformer rectifier on the target pipeline is switched off.
The transmitter then injects a signature impressed current unto the target
pipeline to be surveyed; this current travels a distance of 30 to 35km on the
pipeline. This current produces an electromagnetic field (signal) around the
target pipeline. This signal contains the same current magnitude and
direction as the impressed current.
From the principle of current/signal attenuation the impressed current
naturally attenuates along the pipeline. The integrity of the coating and
pipeline determine the rate of current loss along the entire length of the target
pipeline. At pipeline sections with poor coating condition the current losses
becomes more significant and at areas were a coating fault and corrosive
action is present there is a sharp drop in current being sent from the
transmitter.

A hand held receiver attached to a magnetometer is used to measure current

loss at designated distances along the pipeline route and the measurements
are stored in the receiver. The gathered data in the receiver are later uploaded
to a PC, the PCM software is then used to analyze the data and present a
graphical representation of the pipeline integrity.

During the survey, areas where coating faults occur are precisely and
accurately pinpointed using the A- Frame attached to the hand held receiver.
As a result of the effectiveness of the PCM system, pipeline coating integrity
surveys can be carried out faster than other methods with better accuracy and
fault detection precision. The PCM can be used over road crossings, paved
areas and river crossings. Unlike other traditional methods the PCM receiver
does not need to touch the pipeline to take readings as the magnetometer
picks up the signal from the pipeline above ground and it also measures the
depth of the pipeline if desired.
The PCM also shows the integrity of the earthing system provided on the
target pipeline. When the PCM is connected to the pipeline, if the earthing is
not in good condition a voltage indicator led on the PCM transmitter comes
up showing the status of the earthing system which thus prevents current
output to the target pipeline.