Crawling Robot Patrols Alaska’s Formerly ‘Unpiggable’ Pipelines

a new innovative robot named RODIS (Remotely Operated Diagnostic Inspection System) is saving the state of Alaska tens of millions of dollars and significant time on inspection effort

The trans-Alaska pipeline was previously cleaned by a simple mechanical pig that physically cleared build-up. That was followed by a “smart pig” that used magnets to inspect and transmit data about possible corrosion and defects. Now, a new robot named RODIS (Remotely Operated Diagnostic Inspection System) is the next generation of “crawler pig” that will save tens of millions of dollars and a significant amount of time on the inspection efforts. This robot is also able to inspect pipelines smaller than 48-inches in diameter that were once considered “unpiggable.” Most importantly, the new robot will provide continued preventative maintenance of the critical 800-mile pipeline.

Logan Tucker and Trevor Buron, from Coffman’s Anchorage office, worked with Alaska Pipeline to assemble the design package and assist with planning for the implementation for the new robot pig. The new gizmo inspects small secondary lines and pump stations that were once impossible to examine without the high risk of damage or accidents. RODIS uses lasers and electromagnetic sensors to detect wall thickness and metal loss, and has cameras and LED lights attached to provide visual images. RODIS easily maneuvers vertically and horizontally through pipes that would otherwise need to be moved above ground to be inspected saving millions of dollars in time and construction cost.

Read the full story by Alaska Dispatch News.