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Pipe Metal Assessment. Metal Loss tool data represents the symptom of the real problem, which is a breakdown in the effectiveness of the Protective Coating and Cathodic Protection system in preventing metal loss. However, metal loss represents the vulnerability of the pipeline to a leak. ECDA Software allows all Direct Assessment Excavation data to be stored and analysed to determine the Fitness for Use of a pipeline subject to metal loss. Defects are assessed and identified for repair. Further during the Analysis extensive use is made of comparison of Metal Loss locations with data from other surveys.
Coating Repair Programs. It is generally neither cost - effective nor necessary to excavate and repair all coating faults and metal loss defects, and ECDA can be used to help identify those which must be repaired to maintain the integrity of the pipeline and to provide effective Cathodic Protection for those left not repaired. Rehabilitation proposals can be presented as Tables which identify each problem recommended for repair and allocate it to a 'Rehabilitation Packages of Work' covering a manageable number of excavations and suitable for direct issue to the Repair Contractor.
Cathodic Protection Assessment. Through the use of ECDA Software the requirements to improve the Cathodic Protection system are easily quantified in order to provide more efficient cost-effective corrosion control. Scenarios involving limited coating repair to major changes to Cathodic Protection techniques e.g. use of a long line anode or pulsed DC etc, can be evaluated to determine if they provide potential cost benefits.
Cost Assessment. A unique feature of ECDA Software is that within the program it is possible to calculate the projected cost of any Maintenance or Rehabilitation Work identified. This capability is unique as it is the only program to combine Technical Selection with Costs. This has made ECDA Software very useful in preparing Budgets, costing repairs on the basis of priority and to tailor the amount of repair work to the money available. Comparisons of the cost of alternative rehabilitation activities or replacement pipe are easily made. Cost packages can be cloned for critical assessment and alteration and then compared to manipulate Manpower, Machines and Materials needed to do the work.
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