Abstract: A system and method perform automated detection, classification, and remediation of defects in a structure using ultrasound testing. The system includes an autoencoder is trained and configured to generate a de-noised UT scan image from a noisy UT scan image of a structure, a support vector machine configured to detect a defect in the structure, a convolutional neural network configured to classify the defect, and a remediation subsystem configured to remediate the defect. The method implements the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods of production for consistently sized and shaped optically anisotropic mesophase pitch from vacuum residue, one method including supplying processed vacuum residue to an extruder; heating the processed vacuum residue throughout a horizontal profile of the extruder from an inlet to an outlet of the extruder; venting hydrocarbon off-gases from the extruder along the horizontal profile of the extruder from the inlet to the outlet of the extruder; and physically shaping the consistently sized and shaped mesophase pitch at the outlet of the extruder for production of carbon fibers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for production for consistently sized and shaped petroleum coke from vacuum residue, one method including supplying processed vacuum residue to an extruder; heating the processed vacuum residue throughout a horizontal profile of the extruder from an inlet to an outlet of the extruder; venting hydrocarbon off-gases from the extruder along the horizontal profile of the extruder from the inlet to the outlet of the extruder; and cutting consistently sized and shaped petroleum coke at the outlet of the extruder.

Abstract: A system and method apply an input noisy ultrasonic test (UT) scan image to an input layer of a convolutional neural network, generate a feature map using a convolutional layer, pool the feature map using a pooling layer, apply the pooled feature map to a fully connected layer, generate a de-noised UT scan image, and output the de-noised UT scan image from an output layer.

Abstract: An Internet of things (IoT) based system for deploying volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI) in order to mitigate soil-side corrosion of an aboveground storage tank is provided. The system includes: a VCI tank for storing the VCI; corrosion detection sensors on a soil side of the storage tank for detecting the soil-side corrosion, generating corresponding detection signals, and transmitting the detection signals over the Internet; a control circuit including control logic for receiving the detection signals, generating a flow control signal, and transmitting the flow control signal over the Internet; and a flow control valve (FCV) for receiving the flow control signal and controlling a flow of the VCI from the VCI tank to the soil side of the storage tank in response to the flow control signal in order to mitigate the soil-side corrosion of the storage tank.

Abstract: A protective fabric jacket for placement on an object to be protected from excessive heat includes a first layer; a second layer; and an intermediate spacer fabric layer that is disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The first and second layers are attached to the intermediate spacer fabric layer to form a layered structure. The intermediate spacer fabric layer comprises a flexible honeycomb or octagonal shaped spacer fabric that has a plurality of cells defined therein. The protective fabric jacket also includes a settable material that disposed within the cells and includes a cementitious mixture and one or more organic polymers and is settable to a hardened material.

Abstract: Systems and methods of production for consistently sized and shaped optically anisotropic mesophase pitch from vacuum residue, one method including supplying processed vacuum residue to an extruder; heating the processed vacuum residue throughout a horizontal profile of the extruder from an inlet to an outlet of the extruder; venting hydrocarbon off-gases from the extruder along the horizontal profile of the extruder from the inlet to the outlet of the extruder; and physically shaping the consistently sized and shaped mesophase pitch at the outlet of the extruder for production of carbon fibers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for production for consistently sized and shaped petroleum coke from vacuum residue, one method including supplying processed vacuum residue to an extruder; heating the processed vacuum residue throughout a horizontal profile of the extruder from an inlet to an outlet of the extruder; venting hydrocarbon off-gases from the extruder along the horizontal profile of the extruder from the inlet to the outlet of the extruder; and cutting consistently sized and shaped petroleum coke at the outlet of the extruder.

Abstract: Robotic tools, methods, and systems for repairing pipes in-situ are described. A robotic tool includes a body with an annular, cylindrical configuration with a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the body having an inner surface defining an axis; a printing arm attached to the inner surface of the robotic body using a track, the printing arm circumferentially movable along the inner surface of the body; a printing head attached to the printing arm, the printing head movable radially along the printing arm and axially relative to the printing arm; and a plurality of legs positioned at axial intervals around the robotic body, each leg pivotably attached to the robotic body at either the first end or the second end of the body and pivotable between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided for installing in a prepared area along a ground surface a protective structural support proximate a buried pipeline in an automated manner. The vehicle includes a chassis with a plurality of wheels and a payload release mechanism coupled to the chassis and including a roller for holding the protective structural support. The payload release mechanism is configured to dispense and lay down the protective structural support in the prepared area. The vehicle includes a liquid dispensing mechanism that is coupled to the chassis and is located downstream of the payload release mechanism. The liquid dispensing mechanism includes a liquid source and a dispenser that is in fluid communication with the liquid source and is configured to dispense liquid across a spray area.

Abstract: A protective fabric jacket for placement on an object to be protected from excessive heat includes a first layer; a second layer; and an intermediate spacer fabric layer that is disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The first and second layers are attached to the intermediate spacer fabric layer to form a layered structure. The intermediate spacer fabric layer comprises a flexible honeycomb or octagonal shaped spacer fabric that has a plurality of cells defined therein. The protective fabric jacket also includes a settable material that disposed within the cells and includes a cementitious mixture and one or more organic polymers and is settable to a hardened material.

Abstract: A process for post curing a composite product made from a filament winding process comprises the steps of: surrounding the composite product, that is disposed about a rotatable mandrel, with an outer jacket; and simultaneously rotating and heating the mandrel resulting in post curing of the composite product according to a process that can be referred to as being a combo-semi-centrifugal post curing process.

Abstract: A system and method apply an input noisy ultrasonic test (UT) scan image to an input layer of a convolutional neural network, generate a feature map using a convolutional layer, pool the feature map using a pooling layer, apply the pooled feature map to a fully connected layer, generate a de-noised UT scan image, and output the de-noised UT scan image from an output layer.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI) for protecting against external corrosion to the bottom, soil-side, surface of a storage tank is disclosed. The VCI delivery system can include a transport material buried underneath the tank and a carrier structure for containing the transport material. VCI can be supplied to the transport material from an external VCI storage tank and the supply regulated by a control valve. The transport material is configured to adaptively and controllably release VCI into the soil in response an external stimulus. The transport material can passively adjust the VCI release rate as a function of a stimulus including pH or soil potential. Additionally, a control system can monitor soil conditions and generate the stimulus that triggers the release of the VCI. Also disclosed are systems and methods for deploying the VCI delivery system under the tank using horizontal drilling techniques.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided for installing in a prepared area along a ground surface a protective structural support proximate a buried pipeline in an automated manner. The vehicle includes a chassis with a plurality of wheels and a payload release mechanism coupled to the chassis and including a roller for holding the protective structural support. The payload release mechanism is configured to dispense and lay down the protective structural support in the prepared area. The vehicle includes a liquid dispensing mechanism that is coupled to the chassis and is located downstream of the payload release mechanism. The liquid dispensing mechanism includes a liquid source and a dispenser that is in fluid communication with the liquid source and is configured to dispense liquid across a spray area.

Abstract: A protective fabric jacket for placement on an object to be protected from excessive heat includes a first layer; a second layer; and an intermediate spacer fabric layer that is disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The first and second layers are attached to the intermediate spacer fabric layer to form a layered structure. The intermediate spacer fabric layer comprises a flexible honeycomb or octagonal shaped spacer fabric that has a plurality of cells defined therein. The protective fabric jacket also includes a settable material that disposed within the cells and includes a cementitious mixture and one or more organic polymers and is settable to a hardened material.

Abstract: A process for post curing a composite product made from a filament winding process comprises the steps of: surrounding the composite product, that is disposed about a rotatable mandrel, with an outer jacket; and simultaneously rotating and heating the mandrel resulting in post curing of the composite product according to a process that can be referred to as being a combo-semi-centrifugal post curing process.

Abstract: A technological solution for analyzing a sequence of noisy or incoherent ultrasound scan images of an asset that includes a composite material having internal defects or voids and diagnosing a health condition of a section of the asset.