In August 2023, BASF conducted a detailed inspection of pipeline areas identified by Fluves Corrosion Detection System. The goal was to verify how accurately the system could detect corrosion risks and pinpoint problem spots. This case study shows how Fluves' technology delivered precise and reliable insights, helping BASF identify high-risk areas with impressive accuracy and improve the overall safety of their infrastructure.
- Challenge: BASF Antwerp wanted to detect Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) on a newly constructed 3000-meter Aniline pipeline.
- Solution: Fluves Corrosion system continuously monitors moisture in pipelines and vessels using fiber optic sensing, covering every meter without removing insulation or cladding.
- Results: Fluves Corrosion identified multiple potential corrosion spots. Some areas showed low corrosion risk, while others presented a significant risk.
Challenge
BASF Antwerp wants to detect Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) on a recently build Aniline pipeline with a length of 3000m.
Solution
The Fluves Corrosion system continuously monitors moisture in pipelines and vessels, which can lead to corrosion. It utilizes fiber optic sensing along every meter of the infrastructure without the need to remove insulation or protective cladding. This measurement system has been installed at various petrochemical sites in Antwerp, where it successfully detected corrosion that standard inspection techniques had missed.
Results
Fluves Corrosion identified several potential corrosion spots along the pipeline. In some locations, the system indicated a low risk of corrosion, while in other areas, there was a significant risk of pipeline corrosion. Notably, in the high-risk spots, there were no visible holes, dents, or other abnormalities on the outer cladding.
Validation
In August 2023 a BASF team uncovered and inspected the locations that were identified by Fluves’ Corrosion system in detail. At all identified points the risk at corrosion level matched perfectly with the Fluves predictions. Also, the spatial coverage (one meter accuracy) as forecasted by Fluves’ system matched 100% with the reality, so the locations were pinpointed very accurately.
“Fluves Corrosion is able to find the exact locations of potential corrosion risk with great precision. Their system has the added advantage that it can be applied on the outer layer of the jacketing, without having to dismantle anything.”
Robin Guldentops - Asset Manager ESP/IL at BASF
More information
Visit Fluves Corrosion, download our white paper about corrosion monitoring with fiber optics or let’s have a chat via sales@fluves.com.
