Asset Management of High Pressure Installations: Project GRAID - an innovation project to develop a robotics system for internal inspection of buried pipework
Proceedings Publication Date
Presenter
Gary Senior
Presenter
Author
Richard Waine, Ian Butt, Wez Little, Gary Senior
Part of the proceedings of
Abstract
A robust Asset Management strategy is essential for installations that transport hazardous products, and the search for innovative solutions permits the Operator to develop the best tools and techniques to address this need. National Grid and its partner organisations are engaged in an exciting project that is addressing the challenge of how to inspect the complex, below-ground pipework existing at High Pressure Installations. The robotic platform will negotiate its way through complex pipework geometries and varying gas flows whilst withstanding extreme pressures of up to 100 Barg. The robotic platform is intended to provide real-time data on the condition of high pressure underground assets not previously in-line inspected, allowing the Operator to more effectively manage the asset life. National Grid is working with three organisations onto develop methods to accurately assess the condition of its pipework assets that cannot currently be inspected via traditional Pipeline Inspection Gauges (PIGs). The complexity of pipework at High Pressure Installations, combined with the extreme conditions within the Gas Network, presents a significant challenge for any robotic solution. Project GRAID (Gas Robotic Agile Inspection Device) commenced in January 2015 and will be completed in October 2018. Stage 1 of the project has been completed, and this presentation describes the progress to date, project objectives, technical strategy and the key activities to design, build and demonstrate its functionality.

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