Pipeline video inspection is a form of telepresence used to visually inspect the

interiors of pipelines. A common application is to determine the condition of small

diameter sewer lines and household connection pipes.

Older sewer lines of small diameter, typically 6-inch (150 mm), are made by the
union of a number of short 3 feet (0.91 m) sections. The pipe segments may be
made of cast iron, with 12 feet (3.7 m) to 20 feet (6.1 m) sections, but are more
often made of vitrified clay pipe (VCP), a ceramic material, in 3 feet (0.91 m), 4 feet
(1.2 m) & 6 feet (1.8 m) sections. Each iron or clay segment will have an
enlargement (a "bell") on one end to receive the end of the adjacent segment.
Roots from trees and vegetation may work into the joins between segments and can
be forceful enough to break open a larger opening in terra cotta or corroded cast
iron. Eventually a root ball will form that will impede the flow and this may cleaned
out by a cutter mechanism and subsequently inhibited by use of a chemical foam a rooticide.

With modern video equipment the interior of the pipe may be inspected - this is a
form of non-destructive testing. A small diameter collector pipe will typically have a
cleanout access at the far end and will be several hundred feet long, terminating at
a manhole. Additional collector pipes may discharge at this manhole and a pipe
(perhaps of larger diameter) will carry the effluent to the next manhole, and so forth
to a pump station or treatment plant.

Truck with fish, winch and cable, video pig, and downhole cable turn
Service truck[edit]
The service truck contains a power supply in the form of a small generator, a small
air-conditioned compartment containing video monitoring and recording equipment,
and related computer and display for feature recording.

Cable and winch[edit]

At the back end of the truck is a powered reel with video cable reinforced with
kevlar or steel wire braid. Some trucks also contain a powered winch that booms out
from the truck allowing for lowering and retrieval of the inspection equipment from
the pipeline.

Inspection camera[edit]
Sometimes referred to as a PIG (pipeline inspection gauge), the camera and lights
are mounted in a swiveling head attached to a cylindrical body. The camera head
can pan and tilt remotely. Integrated into the camera head are lighting devices,
typically LEDs, for illuminating the pipeline. The camera is connected to display
equipment via a long cable wound upon a winch. Some companies, such as Rausch
Electronics USA, incorporate a series of lasers in the camera to accurately measure
the pipe diameter and other data.
Using a camera tractor[edit]

Tractor with motor and cradle for the inspection head

A run to be inspected will either start from an access pipe leading at an angle down
to the sewer and then run downstream to a manhole, or will run between manholes.
The service truck is parked above the access point of the pipe. The camera tractor,
with a flexible cable attached to the rear, is then lowered into the pipeline. The
tractor is moved forward so that it is barely inside of the pipeline. A "down-hole
roller" is set up between the camera tractor and the cable reel in the service truck,
preventing cable damage from rubbing the top of the pipeline. The operator then
retires to the inside of the truck and begins the inspection, remotely operating the
camera tractor from the truck. When the inspection is complete or the camera cable
is fully extended, the camera tractor is put in reverse gear and the cable is wound
up simultaneously. When the camera tractor is near the original access point, the
downhole roller is pulled up and the camera tractor is moved into the access point
and pulled up to the service truck. A tractor may be used to inspect a complete
blockage or collapse that would prevent using a fish and rope as described below.

Pulling the camera backwards[edit]

Semi-rigid fish may be pushed through the pipe to fetch a rope

For small diameter pipes there may not be enough room for the tractor mechanism.
Instead, a somewhat rigid "fish" is pushed through the pipe and attached to a rope
at the access point near the truck. The fish is then pulled to place the rope along
the pipe. The rope is then used to pull the inspection pig and cable through the
pipe. Detaching the rope, the cable is then used to pull the pig backwards as the
pipe is inspected on the monitor (this is the method shown in the illustrations
below).

Analysis of video footage[edit]

The Laser Pipe Profiler is a stand-alone, snap-on tool for use with a CCTV survey
system/camera to collect survey data and create pipeline reports, including fault
measurements and internal pipeline features.
Attaches to existing CCTV crawler camera, using machine vision software to analyze
CCTV images.
The Laser Pipe Profiler measures pipe size, laterals, water levels and other features.
Performs automatic analysis of pipe ovality and capacity at a rate of 30 times per
second.
The Laser Pipe Profiler enables the contractor, municipality, or engineer to
determine internal pipeline conditions before, during, or after rehabilitation.
For use within 5 to 48 pipe diameters.
Laser pipe profiling is today's alternative solution compared to traditional smart
tools Laser profiling is an advanced technique for determining the accurate surface
profile of a pipe or other structure. The method projects a laser generated source
onto the interior of a pipe or structure wall to determine accurate measurement of
the structure. Laser profiling uses include:

Determination of the structural shape, cross sectional area and defects

Estimation of debris quantity
Calculation of pipe capacity before and/or after cleaning
Rehabilitation/Replacement design information to improve selection of method
Post rehabilitation verification of lining and subsequent capacity
HOW DOES THE LASER PIPE PROFILING WORK?

A ring of laser light is projected onto the internal pipe wall surface
Laser image is in the field of view of the camera while the camera moves through
the pipe
Analysis is performed on the ring of light using the Laser Profiler software to build a
digital pipe profile
For use with live or pre-recorded video (DVD, HDD, SD)
Ovality The Ovality function calculates the q (as per ASTM F 1216, the
internationally recognized standard for CIPP rehabilitation).
Capacity The Capacity (X-sectional Area) function calculates the cross-sectional
area for each profile and normalizes the results against the expected internal pipe
area.
Delta The Delta calculation finds the maximum and minimum pipe radius for each
profile

The laser inspection software analyzes 1 million measurements made every 4

minutes
Pipe size, laterals, slopes, ovality and capacity
Water levels, sediment depth and debris quantity
Structural shape, cross-sectional area and defects
Corrosion and overall life expectancy
Material loss
HOW CAN LASER PIPE PROFILING BE BENEFICIAL?

Find and correct faults before they are visible

Can be used before, during and after pipeline installations
Minimize costs compared to in-line (IL) inspections
Calculate pipe capacity changes due to (lack of) cleaning and maintenance
Determine whether rehabilitation or full replacement is in order
Ensure proper alignment for maximum efficiency
Maverick has pioneered Laser Pipe Profiling in Western Canada, and we are
continually developing new inspection and measurement methods in response to
our clients requests. We anticipate continual expansion and adaptation of this
technology for different industrial applications, and invite our clients to continue to
challenge us with new inspection scenarios.

LASER PIPE PROFILING APPLICATIONS

Laser pipe profiling can be used on all material surfaces to project a ring of light.
The applications using the laser pipe profiler can vary from underground drainage
systems, pipelines, process pipe and even vertical piping such as a flare stack.

PVC/HDPE

PVC/HDPE piping inspections are excellent for detecting the slightest deformations
and changes in pipe profiles. Underground utilities such as electrical conduits,
transfer lines and methane gas lines often develop some kind of deformation or
ovality over the years. Ground shifting and settling, traffic, and other changes can
cause pipe restrictions. This reduces flow and increases maintenance. The laser pipe
profiling can quickly pinpoint problem areas without the need to guess where to
excavate and repair.

RE-LINING & COATINGS

Re-lining & Coatings in pipe may degrade in aging underground systems and the
laser profiler can determine how much material is missing. It can also calculate a
cross-section of material loss versus the expected true diameter of the pipe. This
provides our clients with accurate measurements including details of deficiencies
such as location, clock positioning and any noted bulging or defects.
CARBON & STAINLESS STEEL

Carbon & Stainless Steel pipelines and process piping are another great opportunity
to exploit the laser pipe profiler for long distance runs. The profiler can calculate
and analyse over great lengths

and gather data on restriction from build-up versus the expected true diameter of
the piping. This information is especially useful for professional cleaning companies
who need to know the exact build-up remaining before and after cleaning.
Erosion and corrosion can also be detected using the profiler in pipelines. This
provides details such as the clock positions of the surface wear, distance of wear
from the pipe opening, and how much material loss has changed the pipes internal
diameter comparatively throughout the length of the inspection

CEMENT & CONCRETE

Concrete Pipe is common in underground drainage system such as storm,

sanitation, oily water and chemical sewers. The laser pipe profiler can help
determine life expectancy on this type of material since concrete may deteriorate
differently with time and use compared to PVC and carbon steel piping. Build-up and
sediment depths can be measured using the profiler to calculate the pipe capacity
before and after cleaning. True diameter and material loss are easily detected using
the laser profiler giving our clients the exact locations that may require
rehabilitation or replacement. The structural shape, cross sectional area and defects
are visible when using the profiler giving on-site, fast and reliable data for repairs or
cleaning