The Operational Experience and Advantages of Using Speed Control Technology for Internal Inspection

Prior to 1997 the internal inspection program at TCPL was significantly smaller and therefore, did not result in significant capacity restrictions. Flexibility in scheduling inspections on the multi-line system was the primary method used to minimize capacity restrictions. With the decision to expand the 1997 program to include 3000 km of internal inspection, it became necessary to utilize technology to minimize throughput losses. Speed Control technology was capable of doing this; however, this technology was still in the early stages of development and performance testing. The purpose of this paper is to share the knowledge and benefits TCPL and two MFL inspection vendors have realized through the use of this technology.