Effect of Temperature on the Performance of Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) Inspection in Hydrocarbon Transportation Pipelines
Please login to view abstract download link
Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) is a widely used non-destructive testing (NDT) technique for in-line inspection (ILI) of pipelines, valued for detecting and characterising corrosion-induced metal loss. However, temperature can significantly affect measurement sensitivity and accuracy [1]. This study investigates temperature effects on MFL signals through controlled tests on steel plates and pipe sections. Specimens were subjected to temperature ranges representative of operating conditions in Colombian pipelines. Results show distinct temperature-induced variations in magnetic flux amplitude between plates and pipes, underscoring the influence of geometry and boundary conditions. The underlying mechanisms are analysed, and implications for reliable signal interpretation in high-temperature inspections are discussed. The findings clarify the thermal limitations of MFL and provide recommendations to enhance its performance under elevated temperatures. [1] Y.J. Wang, X.C. Liu, B. Wu, et al. Dipole modelling of stress-dependent magnetic flux leakage. NDT E Int, 95 (2018), pp. 1-8.