Enhancement of risk based integrity management of energy pipelines

本项目旨在改进基于风险的承压钢输送管道结构完整性维护。该研究的具体目标是：1)基于从多次在线检测中获得的缺陷信息，建立概率模型来表征承压钢输送管道上金属损失腐蚀缺陷的增长；2)为管道由于主要完整性威胁而提供基于历史的失效概率估计；3)同时考虑可靠性、风险和维护成本，研究管道的最佳维护策略。该研究将在TransCanada和NSERC的支持下进行为期三年的研究，并将涉及两名MESc学生和四名博士生的培训。MESc学生将分析美国和加拿大的历史管道故障事件数据。博士生将建立管道腐蚀缺陷深度和长度增长的概率模型，在增长模型中纳入管道缺陷的空间相关性以及周围土壤和管材的特性。考虑到管道维护的可靠性、风险和成本，博士生还将对管道维护进行多目标优化。该研究成果将使TransCanada和加拿大管道行业能够更有效地管理输送管网的完整性，并为加拿大社会的长期繁荣做出贡献。该项目还为研究生提供了一个独特的培训机会，他们将通过开展具有高度实际意义的最先进的研究来培养优秀的技术技能，并通过与经验丰富的管道完整性工程师的定期互动获得宝贵的实践经验和知识。这种培训将使他们成为加拿大管道网络的下一代管理者。

The proposed project is aimed at improving the risk-based maintenance of the structural integrity of pressurized steel transmission pipelines. The specific objectives of the research are to 1) develop probabilistic models to characterize the growth of metal-loss corrosion defects on pressurized steel transmission pipelines based on defect information obtained from multiple inline inspections, 2) provide historical-based failure probability estimations for pipelines due to major integrity threats, and 3) investigate optimal maintenance strategies for pipelines by simultaneously considering reliability, risk and maintenance costs. The research will be carried out over a period of three years under the support of TransCanada and NSERC, and will involve the training of two MESc students and four PhD students. The MESc students will analyze the historical pipeline failure incident data in the United States and Canada. The PhD students will develop probabilistic models for the growth of the depth and length of corrosion defects on pipelines by incorporating in the growth model the spatial correlations of the defects on pipelines as well as properties of the surrounding soils and pipe steels. The PhD students will also carry out multi-objective optimizations of the pipeline maintenances by taking into account the reliability, risk and cost of maintenance. The research outcome will allow TransCanada and the Canadian pipeline industry to more effectively manage the integrity of transmission pipeline networks, and contribute to the long-term prosperity of the Canadian society. The proposed project further offers a unique training opportunity for the graduate students involved in that they will develop excellent technical skills by carrying out state-of-the-art research of high practical relevance, and gain valuable practical experience and knowledge by interacting with experienced pipeline integrity engineers on a regular basis. This training will enable them to become the next-generation stewards of the Canadian pipeline networks.