By Kelly deVos, communications specialist, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
They run beneath our feet, unseen but essential. Millions of miles of pipeline carry the natural gas, crude oil and refined fuels that keep modern life running. Yet as this buried infrastructure ages, cracks, leaks and ruptures are becoming alarmingly common.
From 2002 to 2021, pipeline incidents in the US caused 276 deaths, more than 1,100 injuries and $10 billion in damage. With roughly 650 serious incidents each year, the need for safer, smarter pipeline inspection technology has never been clearer.
Despite the risks, many pipelines go years without a thorough inspection. Some can’t be inspected at all. Known as unpiggable pipelines, these sections twist through narrow turns, outdated valves and complex connections that standard inspection tools simply can’t navigate. The result is a costly blind spot for one of the nation’s most critical systems. [Read more…] about ASU researchers develop advanced robotics and AI system to inspect pipelines and prevent blockages