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See our upcoming Article in

Magazine March, 2010

NEW DISTRIBUTION INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (DIMP)

REQUIREMENTS FOR GAS DISTRIBUTION PIPELINES

On December 4, 2009, the Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration amended the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act to require operators of gas distribution pipelines to develop and implement Integrity Management (IM) programs. The stated purpose of these programs is to enhance safety by identifying and reducing pipeline integrity risks. The final rule took effect February 2, 2010. Gas distribution operators must develop and implement an Integrity Management program that includes a written Integrity Management plan as specified in 49 CFR Part 192 Paragraph 192.1007 no later than August 2, 2011. The purpose of the IM program for distribution pipelines is to enhance safety by identifying and reducing pipeline integrity risk. The rule uses a simple risk-based approach to pipeline integrity; however, obtaining all the pertinent data for development of the program may prove to be very difficult for many operators. With the development of commercially available model plans, creation of a written Distribution Integrity Management plan should not be complicated, while remaining economically feasible. Southern Cathodic Protection is ready to assist in obtaining the data for populating these model plans. Call us today. Together, we can make a difference in pipeline safety.

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the problem

The Problem: Corrosion of Steel in Concrete

More than $5 billion is spent each year to repair and rebuild concrete structures damaged by corrosion of reinforcing steel. This damage is seen every day on bridges, buildings, parking ramps and other steel-reinforced concrete structures.

The Cause: Contamination

When first poured and cured, concrete provides a friendly environment for steel. But it can turn hostile over time as several substances penetrate the concrete. Carbonation occurs when carbon dioxide enters the concrete, reacting with the lime and lowering the pH. In addition, chloride ions from deicing salts or salt-laden air can combine with water and oxygen to create a corrosive environment. An electrochemical corrosion cell is established and the process of delamination begins. As the rebar corrodes, rust forms and takes up more volume than the steel it replaces. This puts expansive forces on the concrete, which ultimately lead to cracking, spalling, and delamination of the concrete.

Signs of Corrosion

Visible signs of corrosion may first appear as cracks. Then, rust stains may appear at the surface near the corroding rebar. As corrosion advances, the concrete may spall or delaminate, often exposing the corroded rebar. Left untreated, the process continues until the concrete becomes structurally unsound.