Gas main supply pipes are installed underground and domestic gas pipes are mostly concealed in walls or floor slabs. It is difficult to carry out visual inspection to check the corrosion level or deterioration condition of the gas pipes.

At present, the gas supply company will insert a massive device, which requires the use of a crane for transportation, at the pigging station to check the internal conditions of underground main pipes with diameter of about 600mm. Such checks are conducted every 10 years. However, pipework with diameter of smaller size or concealed pipework in premises cannot be inspected with similar method.

We are looking for a technological breakthrough that would enable pipework condition check – for gas pipes of different diameters – by a portable or handheld device.

The objective of the project is to design a portable device for checking the integrity and corrosion condition of gas pipes installed underground or embedded in concrete. The device should be lightweight for ease of portability and operation. Applicable to pipes of 10mm internal diameter, the device should be able to check the pipe conditions and locate its corrosion sections.

Development of a portable device for checking concealed gas pipes