Why monitor for corrosion?

Complex service and auxiliary service lines are susceptible to external corrosion due to aged and degrading coatings, areas of insufficient cathodic protection and inadequate backfill.  Vault wall penetrations and water intrusion are particularly problematic.  These pipeline systems also known to incur the threat of internal wall loss due to the presence of deleterious materials in the product stream, bacteria and flow assisted corrosion.

The nuclear power industry has taken a proactive approach in managing the integrity of underground piping under the Nuclear Energy Institute Guideline for the Management of Underground Piping and Tank Integrity (NEI 09-14).  Recurring direct examinations resulting from risk prioritization may include costly and risky excavations within congested areas of co-located assets within nuclear facilities.