The G1 installer has now been updated with all three supported languages. Additionally, a problem was corrected concerning a glitch when initializing the G1's voltmeter. You can download the file here:

              http://www.mcmiller.com/other/G1Install163.zip

In other news, we are currently developing a more modern, automated approach to upgrades for ProActive and the G1 software. Look for this new capability in future versions of our software.

Come visit us at NACE Corrosion 2010 conference in March. It's in San Antonio this year and you will find us at booth 2113 near the center of the exhibition area. See you there!

An article written by M. C. Miller's director of research, Robert M. Park, on the subject of structure-to-electrolyte readings, has been published in this month's issue of NACE's Materials Performance journal (September 2009 issue, pages 32-36) or read it here. The article provides the corrosion engineer with a guide to understanding the nature of structure-to-electrolyte readings and how such readings are critically dependent on the electrode potentials of the various reference electrode types commonly used in the corrosion industry. The article also provides a universal formula that allows readings taken using alternative reference electrode types to be adjusted to the copper/copper sulfate electrode potential.

To: G1 Data-Logger Users

The latest update to our software package for the G1 data-logger is available (version 1.6.3). This update is for English-language prior versions only. The Portuguese and Spanish versions are still under development.

We highly recommend that you keep current with software updates in order that your G1 data-logger will perform to its maximum potential.

Note 1:  If you are also a ProActive user, the software update process should be carried out via the PC that has ProActive installed on it, since part of the update involves updating the G1 Driver software (which resides on your PC).  If there are multiple users of the ProActive program in your company and each user downloads survey data from their G1 to ProActive on their own PC, it is important that each user use his or her own PC to perform the G1 software update process.

Note 2: If you are a G1-ESD user, you will need to update the G1-ESD software on your PC to maintain compatibility with the data-logger software. The link to the update installer for the G1-ESD program is as follows: http://www.mcmiller.com/other/G1_ESDv1.0.7Update.zip  It is recommended that you download the file to a folder on your hard-drive (select the "Save" option) and extract the contents of the zipped (compressed folder). Next, open the extracted file labeled, "G1_ESDv1.0.7Update" and run the installer program labeled, "G1_ESD Update Install.EXE".  This will update your existing G1-ESD software to version 1.0.7, which is compatible with G1 data-logger software version 1.6.3

Note 3:  If you are a contact person for your company and you have multiple G1 data-logger users in your company, please advise each user of this software update, in order that each user stays current.

Note 4:  If you are a distributor, please forward this notice to your G1 data-logger clients.

The link to the G1 software update installer program is as follows: http://www.mcmiller.com/other/G1Install163.zip  It is recommended that you download the file to a folder on your hard-drive (select the "Save" option) and extract the contents of the zipped (compressed folder). Next, open the extracted file labeled, "G1Install163" and run the installer program labeled, "G1 Installer.EXE".  Respond with "Next", "Yes" or "OK" to each of the questions posed by the wizard and perform a soft reset at the end of the process. This will update your existing G1 software to version 1.6.3

The above link will remain accessible on our website (www.mcmiller.com), via the “Support” page (G1 Data-Logger item), until the next software update is released.

Should you have any difficulties installing the software, please do not hesitate to contact us at M. C. Miller.

There are a number of enhancements associated with this current software release, which are detailed in the “G1 Release Notes” file. You are encouraged to review the release notes to familiarize yourself with these changes.  For example, when logging GPS time-stamped CIS and time chart data, there is now an option to have the software select appropriate times for both On and Off readings per cycle in the On/Off Pairs (GPS Sync) voltmeter reading mode, as opposed to the user having to select On and Off Delay times. This option is selected by entering zero (ms) for the On Delay time. [It is recommended that the default Off Delay time (150ms) be used with this option]. This could be a useful option, for example, if it is suspected that the nature of the waveform may change during the course of a CIS, which could render pre-selected On and Off Delay times inappropriate.  Also, additional GPS data are now saved in the pipeline survey program (G1-PLS), including the quality-indicating PDOP, HDOP & VDOP parameters and these values can be viewed via the Driver in ProActive and via the G1-ESD program. A minimum target PDOP value can be set on the G1 and the user is displayed a status indication (quality of GPS data is inside or outside of the desired range). Finally, in the test site survey program (G1-SS), it is now possible to display full site & pipeline names and full site descriptions & pipeline names on the G1 by tapping on the site name or description, on the Site Info' screen, or by pressing the F7 or F8 keys, respectively.

A number of “bugs” have also been fixed and you are referred to the “G1 Release Notes” file for details.

Should you require to only update the G1 Driver software in ProActive (for example, if you are a ProActive user only and you receive survey files from the field), the website link for the “Driver-only” installer is as follows: http://www.mcmiller.com/other/G1Driver2440.zip It is recommended that you download the file to a folder on your hard-drive (select the "Save" option) and extract the contents of the zipped (compressed folder). Next, open the extracted file labeled, "G1 Driver 2.4.4.0" and run the installer program labeled, "G1 Driver Installer.EXE".  This will update your Driver in ProActive to version 2.4.4.0.

Best Regards,

M. C. Miller Co., Inc.

www.mcmiller.com

The M. C. Miller Company has collaborated with Terry Hurt, a 30-year veteran of the Southern California Gas Company on the design of a unique portable test station, termed the CP Hunter, that allows structure-to-soil data to be monitored over extended periods of time, either using a data-logging device or a remote monitoring system.  A unique aspect of the design, which is described in the May 2009 issue of NACE's Materials Performance journal, pages 20-21 (http://www.mcmiller.com/pdfs/NACE%20CP%20Hunter%20MAy%202009.pdf), involves the use of a water delivery system which makes the unit particularly well-suited for the unattended monitoring of structure-to-soil voltages in dry soil conditions in which conventional portable reference electrodes may not function optimally.  Pipeline polarization decay, or growth, behavior and local interference monitoring would be potential application areas for the CP Hunter portable test station (http://www.mcmiller.com/cp%20hunter.aspx).

The M. C. Miller Company has made a significant breakthrough in the design of reference electrodes for in-soil permanent burial applications (permanent reference electrodes).  The new concept, which involves the integration of an internal electrode into the buried reference electrode design, is reported in an article published in the March 2009 issue of NACE's Materials Performance journal, pages 36-39 (http://www.mcmiller.com/pdfs/MP%20Article%202.pdf).  The incorporation of an internal electrode means that the status of a buried reference electrode can be checked by a technician operating locally above-ground or can be examined remotely as part of a remote monitoring system in order to confirm the accuracy of a structure-to-soil reading taken with respect to the buried reference electrode.  MCM currently offers the IonXDE (dual electrode) reference electrode as part of the company's IonX Series of permanent reference electrodes (http://www.mcmiller.com/IonX%20Permanent%20Electrodes%20(new).aspx).  The IonXDE is a copper/copper sulfate reference electrode with an integrated Ag/AgCl (3.5M KCl) internal electrode (http://www.mcmiller.com/pdfs/IonXDE.pdf).  The calibration of the buried copper sulfate reference electrode can be checked in-situ prior to every structure-to-soil reading.

We have just finished coding support for the new Elcometer 456 Coating Thickness Gauge (a bluetooth device) into our ProCP Dig Inspector product. For those of you not familiar with the product, ProCP Dig Inspector is Windows Mobile based data logger software for pipeline direct inspection. I believe that it is also the only such product of its type commercially available. The program brings a lot of functionality to bear on this data-intensive task. It organizes all potential readings, coating thickness and wall thickness measurements, defect information, biological and coating samples, photographs, remediation activities, and on and on. It even supports audio note taking with its support of a bluetooth headset especially selected for outdoor use. It all interfaces with our pipeline integrity application ProActive which has a number of additional features that help with this task -- incuding transcription to text of all those audio notes taken in the field via support of Nuance's Dragon Natually Speaking Professional.

Here is a list of the periphrial devices currently supported by ProCP Dig Inspector:

1. Elcometer 456 Coating Thickness gauge
2. MCM Bluetooth Voltmeter
3. MCM 400D Resistivity Meter
4. Bluetooth enabled GPS devices
5. Ricoh Caplio 500 SE-B (rugged, bluetooth hires camera)
6. BlueParrot bluetooth headset

The Elcometer 456 is an interesting device. It has a replaceable probe that screws into the bottom of the unit. This allows you to use the device with the usual 200 mil probe for pipeline work. But for those exceptional circumstances where the coating is thicker than usual, you can switch to the 500 mil probe in seconds. M. C. Miller is now a reseller of the Elcometer product line. Look for Elcometer products on our web site soon.

Next week I am off to the wilds of NW Arkansas to get some real field testing done on the Elcometer 456 and ProCP Dig Inspector. If you are interested in automating your pipeline direct inspection activities, please let me know - ron AT mcmiller DOT com. I would be happy to send you product information and introduce you to current users of the product.

We are busy working on the next version of ProActive and have some exciting enhancements in store for you. Here is a sampling of what you can expect:

Greatly Expanded Remote Monitoring Support

In previous versions our support of remote monitoring devices was limited to a small file import routine for the ScadaNET service. Our future version will support Bullhorn, Abriox, TEMC, and WatchDogCP. If you have a vendor you would like to be included in this list, please let us know. For client-server versions, the briefcase server will automatically download readings from the services according to a schedule that you specify. For the single user version you will also be able to specify a schedule after which ProActive, whenever its run, will offer to download the readings whenever your schedule indicates it should be done. Each time a readings are posted from a remote monitoring site an entry is made in a history file that you will be able to review. Any problems will be highlighted in these reports.

Tree-related Enhancements

Some of you have asked that it be easier to find issues that need to be addressed. Since the focus is generally on the tree, we have decided to make some enhancements in this area. If a closed folder contains a test site with a DOT Compliance issue, a low reading, or a maintenance item - a small glyph will appear to the left of that folder as an indication that an issue is present inside the folder. So, just by opening a few folders you can home in on an out of compliance device. Additionally for the tree, we are adding the ability to save tree filters created by the filter wizard to the database. Much like the similar capability in the ad hoc reporting engine, you can make these filters public or private. A drop-down list at the top of the tree will display your list of public and private (to you) filters for easy selection. Two-click tree filters.

We are pleased to announce the immediate availability of version 2.4.1 of our pipeline integrity database ProActive. In addition to the usual fixes and performance improvements which we perform on a continuing basis, this update has some signicant new functionality that should expand the scope of ProActive into new territories. These features include...

Portuguese and Spanish translations available

The entire ProActive client, the documentation, and the help file have all been translated into these new languages. If your regional language is Spanish or Portuguese, the translation will be loaded automatically whenever ProActive starts. If your regional language is something else, the English language will show. Translations were performed by native speakers with expertise in both English and pipeline integrity operations. Certain database items are not currently translated - such as items in the Risk Models. But these can be edited by the user.

New Data Logger Support

There are new drivers available for the following data loggers:

Bass-Trigon Allegro (requires installation of our site survey program on the unit)

ProCP Dig Inspector (for pipeline direct inspection data)

ProCP RD-4000 (depth of cover and current mapper surveys)

ProCP Navigator (unique test site survey program for Windows Mobile with optional road navigation)

Dig Site object for Direct Inspection data

Developed primarily as the ProActive side of the new ProCP Dig Inspector product, the new Dig Site object contains complete support for all the typical data collected at a pipeline excavation including pipeline potentials, coating thickness and wall thickness measurements, biological samples, photographs, commentary, soil composition, ph, remediation, etc. Integrated within this functionality is the ability to call on the capabilities of Nuance Dragon Naturally Speaking software to transcribe audio commentary recorded in the field into text. Both the original audio and the text are stored within the ProActive database. While best used with ProCP Dig Inspector, the dig site object can be used on manual data entry basis with ProActive alone.

Changes to Reading Templates are now Audited

Of interest primarily to our client-server and eProActive customers, whenever a change is made to a reading template an entry will now appear in an audit trail. This will enable you to see the complete history of all changes ever made to the template of a reading prompt. All entries and time/date stamped and contain the username of the database user making the change.

Revamped Compliance and Reading Flags tabs in the Summary Folders

The DOT Compliance and Flagged Reading support has been significantly revamped and improved. You can now see your compliance situation for any time period in the past covered by the database.