Advancing pipeline integrity: An experimental investigation into acoustic emission monitoring of erosion-corrosion mechanisms

• AE monitors erosion-corrosion in pipelines with varied contaminants & flow. • Increased particle concentration & velocity boosts AE hits and energy. • AE signal intensity shows inverse correlation with increasing flow velocity. • Sand particles induce higher erosion rates than slurry at similar levels. Pipelines represent a fundamental conduit for the transportation of fluids, and their significance is often likened to the circulatory system of modern society. Thus, having the ability to forecast the likelihood of failure and damage location caused by the erosive-corrosive mechanism is paramount. This study investigates the implementation of the Acoustic Emission (AE) method in monitoring various laminar and turbulent seawater flow regimes with different sand and slurry contamination levels on a relatively small-scale pipeline model. The erosion-corrosion behavior on a carbon-steel pipeline was monitored via chemical analyses and AE techniques. In recent years, AE has emerged as a modern tool for detecting active defects, given its ability to save time and expenses. The study delves into the intricate interplay between AE and the erosive-corrosive mechanism in pipelines. Consequently, this research has experimentally discussed using continuous AE technique to enhance offshore pipeline design, inspection, and maintenance, by enabling the early detection of erosive-corrosive wear in pipeline systems.