In 2015, NYSEARCH completed two phases of testing on some unique corrosion sensors currently used by aircraft to monitor corrosion on material surfaces. While primarily applied to coated steel, these sensors can measure corrosion rates in real time on the external surfaces of pipe using a unique linear sensor array.
With its contractor, Analatom, NYSEARCH not only completed testing in the laboratory but performed over a year of testing at the NYSEARCH/NGA test bed in use at a NYSEG facility in Johnson City, NY. Those tests provided positive confirmation that the micro-linear polarization resistance sensors can be practically applied to real-time monitoring of corrosion on the gas pipelines. More work is being planned to further validate their use and to advance this innovation to commercialization. The photos on this page were taken when the sensors were installed at NYSEARCH/NGA test bed.
For over thirty years, NYSEARCH has worked as a consortium of natural gas Local Distribution Companies (LDCs) who have a common interest and need for research and technology development and demonstration. Today, as part of the Northeast Gas Association (NGA), NYSEARCH manages over (30) projects in various stages of development for LDCs, transmission companies, federal agencies and their manufacturing and commercial partners. NYSEARCH is located in Parsippany, NJ and NGA is headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts.