POWER May 2015 - 37

OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
2. Preparing to test. In this photo, guided wave sensors are installed
on a pipe mockup to test and develop guidance for use in the
field. Courtesy: Electric Power Research Institute
Adaptive Brush
Seal Solutions for
Air Preheaters
3. Evaluating pipe condition using guided wave technology.
Collars can be permanently installed, allowing testing to be completed
quickly and easily. Courtesy: Electric Power Research Institute
High performance. Long life.

Sealeze's patented brush-based
sealing system delivers reliability and
extended functional service life.
Replace seals less often
       
standard seals.
       
under deformation; reducing drag, wear and sudden
failures.
failure. The high-risk, high-consequence piping is where they have
focused most of their inspections. "
EPRI has been helping the industry by doing some valuable research.
In addition to providing programmatic guidance, reference
materials, and a risk-ranking tool, EPRI is investigating buried pipe
inspection technologies, some of which were developed by the oil
and gas industry.
Modification is usually required to adapt inspection technologies
for use in what some have called the " spaghetti bowl " of piping found
at power plants. Unlike the miles of straight lines frequently found in
the oil and gas industry, which usually include launch and retrieval
stations for " pigs " (devices inserted into pipelines to do a variety of
tasks, including cleaning and inspecting the pipe), power plants often
have valves and elbows that make tasks more difficult, but the results
have been positive.
With Exelon's help, EPRI developed guidance for the use of one
such tool, which utilizes guided wave technology. Guided wave technology
uses ultrasonic guided waves to detect flaws, such as corrosion,
in buried pipes. Exelon was one of the first utilities to use the
technology on its underground piping.
The way it works is that a probe is mounted on the outside surface of a
May 2015 | POWER
More effective than other seal
    
        
sizes and surface irregularities for a continuous seal.
      
creating a high integrity seal. Under pressure these
   
For more than 25 years, Sealeze has helped design and manufacturing
engineers design solutions.
800.787.7325
e-mail: power@sealeze.com
www.sealeze.com
ISO 9001 Certified
CIRCLE 13 ON READER SERVICE CARD
www.powermag.com
37

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POWER May 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of POWER May 2015