Attachment 7 - Research Topics 693JK325RA0001.docx

AGREEMENT #693JK31910001POTA

Pipeline Safety Research Announcement Topics Research Announcement #11

a) Anomaly/Threat Detection

1. Technology Development – Inspection Technologies for Facility and Station Piping, Tanks, and Equipment The objective of this research project is to develop innovative, cost-effective, and improved integrity inspection technologies for piping, tanks, and equipment at facilities and stations. PHMSA data indicates that these areas experience incidents and accidents at a rate that is higher than other parts of pipeline systems, particularly for certain causal factors. Certain types of inspection technologies also may not be capable of being used to identify and assess potential integrity threats—like corrosion, cracks and seam defects, mechanical damage (e.g., dents, gouges), and material degradation—on piping, tanks, and equipment at facilities and stations.

This project will focus on developing new inspection technologies that can be effectively deployed at these locations. The equipment covered may include one or more of facility piping, storage tanks, compression or pump equipment, or other equipment common to pipeline facilities.

The project scope must include the following tasks:

· Perform a comprehensive literature review of existing integrity inspection technologies for piping, tanks, and equipment at facilities and stations. The literature review should cover current and past research and provide a critical review of current challenges and opportunities. The review will help avoid duplication and provide the potential to complement technologies and solutions that already exist.

· Identify emerging technologies and innovative solutions for inspecting the integrity of piping, tanks, and equipment at facilities and stations.

· Identify conditions and factors, as well as baseline integrity inspection technologies, to be considered in the design of experiments for field test and validation.

· Document validation testing results, assessing effectiveness, accuracy, and practical deployment feasibility.

· Include participation and input from stakeholder groups, such as operators, service providers, industry experts, and standards development organizations.

· Coordinate with a pipeline operator or service provider to conduct field testing of the technology.

· Specify segment of the pipeline system to which technology could pertain (e.g., facility, station piping, or pipeline equipment).

· Identify representative implementation costs.

· Provide a detailed breakdown of project costs and expected deliverables at each stage of development.

· Involve a total project duration not to exceed 36 months.

Proposals that address the advancement or validation of existing technologies should also:

· Focus on tools and technologies that have the best potential for being used “as is” or modified or enhanced to perform reliably in all applications.

· Describe operational tasks for which an operator would use the technology, and the typical environments for such use.

· Test for application, as appropriate, and provide any pertinent data.

2. Technology Development – Non-Metallic Pipe Inspection Technology The objective of this research project is to develop innovative and cost-effective in-line inspection (ILI) technologies for non-metallic (plastic and composite) pipe to accurately detect and quantify defects. The project will explore new technologies, modifications of existing technologies, or alternative approaches to enhance the detection of internal anomalies in non-metallic pipeline systems.

PHMSA data indicates that plastic pipelines have exhibited a higher incident rate as compared to pipe, weld, or joint failures on steel pipelines. PHMSA is also seeing increased interest in the use of composite pipe materials. A robust inspection solution is needed to identify defects quickly and accurately in buried non-metallic pipelines. This topic area primarily focuses on plastic pipelines but proposals for composite pipelines will also be considered.

The project scope must include the following tasks:

· Conduct a comprehensive literature review of existing inspection technologies for non-metallic pipelines. This review should cover current and past research on non-metallic pipe material or joint inspection technologies and provide a critical review of current challenges and opportunities. The literature review will help avoid duplication and provide the potential to complement existing technologies and solutions.

· Identify emerging technologies and innovative solutions applicable to the detection of material and joint defects.

· Identify conditions and factors, as well as baseline anomaly detection technologies, to be considered in the design of experiments for field test and validation.

· Document validation testing results, assessing effectiveness, accuracy, and practical deployment feasibility.

· Include participation and input from stakeholder groups, such as operators, service providers, industry experts, and standards development organizations.

· Specify the material types to which technology could pertain (e.g., pipe body, welds, joints).

· Identify representative implementation costs.

· Provide a detailed breakdown of project costs and expected deliverables at each stage of development.

· Involve a total project duration not to exceed 36 months.

Proposals that address the advancement or validation of existing technologies should also:

· Focus on tools and technologies that have best potential for being used “as is” or modified or enhanced to perform reliably in all applications.

· Describe operational tasks for which an operator would use the technology, and the typical environments for such use.

· Test for application, as appropriate, and provide any pertinent data.

3. Technology Development – Technology for Unpiggable or Difficult to Inspect Pipelines The objective of this research project is to develop innovative, cost-effective, and improved integrity inspection technologies for unpiggable or difficult to inspect pipelines and to expand existing technologies to be compatible with more pipeline types and sizes.

Unpiggable pipelines—a pipeline that cannot be inspected using ILI tools—remain an issue and typically use pressure tests in lieu of inspections. Some pipeline inspection technologies also remain incompatible with certain pipeline types (e.g., ultrasonic technology is challenging on gas pipelines, and smaller diameter pipelines—four-inch diameter and smaller—lack access to current ILI solutions available to larger diameter pipelines). Incidents caused by corrosion and pipe, weld, or joint failures have increased in two‑inch diameter gas distribution pipelines. Many of these incidents could have been prevented with ILI assessments were the technology compatible. The project will develop a new technology, modify an existing technology, or develop an alternative approach to enhance the integrity inspection of unpiggable or difficult to inspect pipelines.

The project scope must include the following tasks:

· Perform a comprehensive literature review of existing technology for unpiggable pipelines. This review should cover current and past research on unpiggable, difficult to inspect, or distribution pipelines, and provide a critical review of current challenges and opportunities. The literature review will help avoid duplication and provide the potential to complement technologies and solutions that already exist.

· Identify emerging technologies and innovative solutions applicable to inspecting the integrity of unpiggable, difficult to inspect, or distribution pipelines.

· Identify conditions and factors, as well as baseline integrity inspection technologies, to be considered in the design of experiments for field test and validation.

· Document validation testing results, assessing effectiveness, accuracy, and practical deployment feasibility.

· Include participation and input from stakeholder groups, such as operators, service providers, industry experts, and standards development organizations.

· Coordinate with a pipeline operator or service provider to conduct field testing of the new technology.

· Specify the pipeline system or challenge to which technology could pertain (e.g., unpiggable, difficult to inspect, or distribution pipelines).

· Identify representative implementation costs.

· Provide a detailed breakdown of project costs and expected deliverables at each stage of development.

· Involve a total project duration not to exceed 36 months.

Proposals that address the advancement or validation of existing technologies should:

· Focus on tools and technologies that have the best potential for being used “as is” or modified or enhanced to perform reliably in all applications.

· Describe operational tasks for which an operator would use the technology, and the typical environments for such use.

· Test for application, as appropriate, and provide any pertinent data.

b) Liquid Leak Detection

4. Technology Development – Innovative Technologies for Locating Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Leaks The objective of this research project is to develop innovative or enhanced leak locating technologies for hazardous liquid pipelines and facilities with limited excavation access for buried pipelines. This can be conducted via the use of new technologies, modification of existing technologies, or alternative methods.

A cost-effective new or modified technology must be capable of quickly and accurately pinpointing a leak location. Technologies may be compatible with buried pipe, aboveground piping, or other pipeline facilities, such as pumping and storage equipment.

The project scope must include the following tasks:

· Perform a literature review of relevant research from private or public research efforts, including service providers and operators. This review should cover current and past research on leak detection and locating technologies and provide a critical review of current challenges and opportunities. The literature review will help avoid duplication and provide the potential to complement technologies and solutions that already exist.

· Identify opportunities to implement new technologies and innovative solutions to develop leak detection locating technologies.

· Identify conditions and factors, as well as baseline leak locating technologies, to be considered in the design of experiments for field test and validation. Include a series of field validation demonstrations to test new leak locating technologies and to identify the improvements to the existing technologies.

· Include a pipeline operator or service provider to pilot the leak locating technology.

· Document validation testing results and determine the effectiveness and accuracy of the technologies.

· Include participation and input from stakeholder groups, such as operators, service providers, industry experts, and standards development organizations.

· Identify representative implementation costs.

· Specify method of application or use requirements (e.g., line exposure required, non-soil disturbing, aerial, satellite, ultrasonic).

· Provide a detailed breakdown of project costs and expected deliverables at each stage of development.

· Involve a total project duration not to exceed 36 months.

Proposals that address the advancement or validations of existing technologies should:

· Focus on tools and technologies that have best potential for being used “as is” or modified or enhanced to perform reliably in all applications.

· Describe operational tasks for which an operator would use the technology, and the typical environments for such use.

· Test for application, as appropriate, and provide any pertinent data.

c) Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

5. Knowledge Development – Acceptable Methods for Modeling Shrouding or Obstructions for LNG Pressurized Liquid Leaks Piping shrouds partially enclosing liquefied natural gas (LNG) process piping could be installed to redirect and contain accidental releases and reduce flammable vapor dispersion hazards. The objective of this research project is to explore shrouding structures and evaluate acceptable methods for modeling pressurized leaks from LNG piping segments partially enclosed by shrouding or other obstructions in close proximity to the release source. The study will assess the behavior of the jetting liquid immediately after contacting the shrouds and quantify the vapor generation. The study will identify best practices for design and implementation and provide recommendations for regulatory compliance and facility safety enhancements.

Shrouding can serve as a protective measure to mitigate vapor dispersion following a loss of containment resulting in a release of hazardous fluid at LNG facilities and reduce potential hazards to the public. A standardized approach to shrouding design and modeling will help improve consistency in implementation across LNG facilities. This research will support identification of effective strategies for shrouding placement, material selection, and performance evaluation in various operating environments.

The project scope must include the following tasks:

· Conduct a literature review of existing studies, experimental data, and industry practices related to shrouding and obstruction methods for leak mitigation.

· Identify different types of shrouding technologies and evaluate their effectiveness in controlling vapor dispersion under varying leak scenarios and environmental conditions.

· Perform computational fluid dynamic case scenarios with experimental data validation on how shrouding affects vapor production, liquid dropout, and vapor cloud dispersion to accurately inform model predictions.

· Provide recommendations on best practices for the design, installation, and maintenance of shrouding systems, as well as modeling methods/assumptions to enhance facility safety and regulatory compliance.

· Analyze regulatory requirements and industry standards relevant to shrouding implementation for LNG facilities, including, but not limited to, 49 CFR Part 193 and NFPA 59A.

· Engage stakeholders, including LNG operators, safety experts, regulators, and engineering professionals, to ensure industry-wide applicability of findings.

· Provide a detailed breakdown of project costs and expected deliverables at each stage of development.

· Involve a total project duration not to exceed 24 months.

6. Knowledge Development – Evaluation of Overpressure Technologies for LNG Facilities The objective of this research project is to study the effectiveness of active mitigation methods and technologies for minimizing the risk of over-pressurizing process vessels and piping due to the exposure to fire at LNG facilities.

Exposure of pressure vessels and piping to fire may lead to ruptures and a cascading event at LNG facilities, such as a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion. The research will study the effectiveness of different active mitigation methods in reducing the radiant heat effect on adjacent piping, equipment, and storage tanks. In addition, the research will study the quantity of firewater supply required to cool down containers, equipment, and piping from jet fire and pool fire events. The research will account for water evaporation and integrity of the firewater distribution system. Factors applicable to the specific site that have a bearing on the safety of plant personnel and the surrounding public shall be considered.

The project scope must include the following tasks:

· Conduct a literature review of existing studies, experimental data, and industry best practice of active mitigation methods used to minimize fire exposure on pressure vessels and process piping.

· Develop computational fluid dynamics and other modeling approaches to quantify the effectiveness of active mitigation methods, if applicable, incorporating industry-standard tools or equivalent modeling methodologies.

· Analyze regulatory requirements and industry standards relevant to equipment and piping overpressure protection and the active mitigation methods, including, but not limited to, 49 CFR Part 193, NFPA 59A, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII, ASME B31.3:

· Align findings with established regulatory and industry standards, including 49 CFR Part 193, NFPA 59A, ASME Section VIII, and ASME B31.3, to ensure compatibility with current safety requirements.

· Coordinate with standards development organizations for potential incorporation of findings into industry standards and practices.

· Provide recommendations for the application of active mitigation methods that could be used to reduce the risk for cascading events.

· Engage stakeholders, including LNG operators, safety experts, regulators, and engineering professionals, to ensure industry-wide applicability of findings.

· Provide a detailed breakdown of project costs and expected deliverables at each stage of development.

· Involve a total project duration not to exceed 24 months.

d) Threat Prevention

7. Knowledge Development – Testing, Modeling, and Verifying Strain Capacity in Pipelines The objective of this research project is to improve confidence and accuracy of strain capacity prediction for pipelines.

Currently, pipeline design is centered mostly on stress-based design criteria, which is a method focusing on the allowable stress limit of pipe materials. In the past several decades, the pipeline industry has increasingly adopted strain-based design and assessment (SBDA) methods for managing pipeline integrity challenges stemming from geohazards. Strain‑based design is a method based on the allowable strain limit (strain capacity) that is suitable for ductile materials subjected to displacement-controlled loads, such as by geohazards, aimed at ensuring structural integrity. Strain-based assessment involves assessing the integrity of existing pipelines under current and potential threats.

PHMSA is seeking research to test and verify strain capacity for pipelines with the goal to improve the confidence and accuracy of the predictive models using SBDA methods.

The project scope must include the following tasks:

· Perform a literature review, including past and current research studies related to strain-based design and assessment for pipelines, to identify the gaps that limit the implementation of SBDA methods to predict and prevent the effects of geohazards on pipelines.

· Identify the critical factors that are important to improve confidence and accuracy of strain capacity prediction for pipelines.

· Develop a testing plan to generate the necessary data that will be utilized in strain-based pipeline failure models to improve confidence and accuracy of strain capacity prediction for pipelines.

· Develop a new risk model or improve an existing model that can be used to identify strain-based risks from geohazards and to take prompt actions to repair and mitigate the risks to pipelines.

· Include participation and input from stakeholder groups, such as pipeline operators, subject matter experts from industry and academia, service providers, and standards development organizations.

· Provide a detailed breakdown of project costs and expected deliverables at each stage of development.

· Involve a total project duration not to exceed 36 months.

8. Knowledge Development – Risk Evaluation of Outside Force Damage on Pipeline Equipment and Facilities The objective of this research project is to evaluate the risks and potential consequences of an outside force on aboveground pipelines and associated facilities.

Outside Force Damage is a cause category that includes eight sub causes, such as vandalism, erosion of support structures, and impact from a boat or motor vehicle. Since 2010, 462 reportable gas distribution incidents (30.4 percent) and 25 fatalities (35.5 percent) have been attributed to Outside Force Damage. Of those incidents, motor vehicle strikes account for 208 (45 percent)—more than twice the number of the next most frequent sub cause, industrial or manmade nearby fires. Vehicle strikes caused 51 percent of fatalities from Outside Force Damage incidents and 18 percent of fatalities across all eight cause categories and 41 sub causes. This topic aims to provide the industry with information about best practices to reduce both the frequency of incidents and the associated injuries or loss of life from an identified outside force. Outside forces include, but are not limited to, non-excavation-related outside forces, such as nearby industrial, man-made, or other fire or explosion; vehicles or other equipment; mechanical damage; and, intentional force, including vandalism and terrorism. The study must investigate risk factors that can affect the frequency of the outside force damage and consequences. In addition, it must identify designs, methods, equipment, or other countermeasures that can be used to reduce the risk of such incidents and provide guidance on how to use them.

The project scope must include the following tasks:

· Perform a literature review of relevant research on the effects of outside force incidents on pipelines.

· Evaluate risk factors that affect the frequency and consequences of outside force incidents, including, but not limited to, the size of the pipelines; products being transported; proximity to roads and highways; speed limits on adjacent roads; topography of the sites; barriers meant to protect the pipeline facility from outside forces; and emergency equipment, such as shut-off valves.

· Evaluate potential designs that can be used for newly installed pipelines to reduce the risks associated with outside force damage, including recommended setback distances and appropriate barriers.

· Evaluate modifications, technology, methods, or other countermeasures that can be used to reduce outside force risk to existing pipelines.

· Include input from appropriate stakeholder groups, such as pipeline operators, industry experts, and standards development organizations.

· Coordinate with standards development organizations for potential incorporation into a standard or industry best practice.

· Provide a detailed breakdown of project costs and expected deliverables at each stage of development.

· Involve a total project duration not to exceed 24 months.

9. Technology Development – Technology, Equipment, or Procedures to Prevent Human Error The objective of this research project is to develop technology that can reduce the frequency of pipeline accidents or incidents caused by human error.

PHMSA data shows that incorrect operation is a frequent cause of pipeline accidents and incidents, and that these events carry an increased risk of injury or death. Often, these events are caused by the complexity of the processes, equipment, or environment that do not fully account for human factors. This topic seeks to develop or improve equipment, technology, or procedures that can assist personnel in safely doing their jobs. Focus should be on processes that are performed in environments that are difficult for human personnel to safely manage. Projects must identify one or more specific pipeline operations or maintenance tasks commonly performed on pipelines regulated under 49 CFR Part 192 or Part 195 to which the project is applicable.

The project scope must include the following tasks:

· Conduct a literature review of relevant studies and research, experimental data, and industry best practice related to human error prevention on pipelines.

· Identify a specific equipment, technology, or process that—when operated or completed incorrectly—has been demonstrated to result in pipeline accidents or incidents.

· Create a plan for developing and testing the product with human-centric testing methodologies (e.g., usability testing).

· Include input from relevant stakeholders, such as pipeline operators, maintenance contractors, industry experts, and standards development organizations.

· Define personnel who are the “users” of the target product with a representative list of roles that are likely to interact with or utilize the product as part of their duties.

· Include a plan for field testing the product in a representative or real-world environment with relevant personnel.

· Specify relevance of the product to pipelines regulated under 49 CFR Part 192 or Part 195.

· Provide a detailed breakdown of project costs and expected deliverables at each stage of development.

· Involve a total project duration not to exceed 24 months.

Proposals that address advancements/validations to existing technologies also should:

· Focus on tools and technologies that have best potential for being used “as is,” modified, enhanced, or added onto, to perform reliably for all.

· Describe operational tasks for which an operator would use the technology, and the typical environments in which it will be utilized.

· Test for application, as appropriate, and provide any pertinent data.