Multi-function sensors for overhead line inspection

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Overhead lines are key assets for power utilities such as Hydro-Québec, who is the industrial partner in this project. The replacement of line conductors of a specific line easily costs tens of millions of dollars, so it must be done only if really necessary. In that regard, the hardest part is to obtain accurate information about conductors' internal condition, especially regarding the presence of corrosion.The objective of this project is to develop a compact and lightweight multi-function probe to monitor the internal degradation conditions of aluminum cable steel reinforced (ACSR) conductors used for most of the overhead lines worldwide. From this information, one can estimate the residual lifetime of the line. The project therefore aims at filling the knowledge gaps required to succeed in the development of this probe. Demonstration of the effectiveness of the new probe will be realized in a laboratory environment (Laboratory of Experimentation, Research Institute of Hydro-Québec - IREQ). The results of the project will be transferred to the industrial partner as the projects runs.The project is based on strong background work realized by IREQ between 2011 and 2018 on the IREQ proprietary LineCore technology, used to measure the corrosion of the protective zinc coating, and on magnetic probes, used to measure the degradation of the steel core. The project also relies on numerous projects realized by Polytechnique Montreal in areas such as electromagnetic modeling and characterization of steel and metal properties with electromagnetic approaches. The project will involve the training of 2 Ph.D. students and 1 postdoctoral fellow, who will all become Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) for the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) industry, which is a very important sector of activity in Canada. The project will also generate substantial scientific knowledge.