A DEVICE called the "Instrument Pig"
will soon be used to monitor the health
of gas pipelines. Being developed by
the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and
the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
(BARC), the indigenously manufac-
tured device is expected to be ready
in a little over 2 years. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was
signed between the 2 organisations on
April 17.
The Pig is a cylindrical device which
uses the magnetic flux leakage technology, sensors and an electronic memory to
traverse inside the pipeline along with
the fuel. It is supported by polyrethane
cups, and its electronic memory stores
details of the wall's thickness and the
extent of corrosion.
The data is then computer-pro-
cessed to determine the exact areas
needing maintenance or repair. The Pig
can negotiate 80- 100 krn a day. It is, for
the moment, being imported and hogs a
whopping Rs I lakh per km, most of it in
foreign exchange.
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