APPLICATION

Magnetic flux leakage is a magnetic method of nondestructive testing that is used to detect corrosion and pitting in steel structures, most commonly pipelines and storage tanks. The basic principle is that a powerful magnet is used to magnetize the steel. At areas where there is corrosion or missing metal, the magnetic field "leaks" from the steel. In an MFL (or Magnetic Flux Leakage) tool, a magnetic detector is placed between the poles of the magnet to detect the leakage field. Analysts interpret the chart recording of the leakage field to identify damaged areas and to estimate the depth of metal loss, MFL can be used in the range of 6 to 12 mm all ferromagnetic tank bottoms . Furthermore, limited coated surfaces can easily be tested.

The Floormap system produces a detailed geometrical view of the inspected area. This view immediately provides the operator with an understanding of the tank bottom – basically the operator can determine the nature and geometry of the indication meaning the following questions can be answered; is the indication due to a weldment or corrosion? Is the indication wide or deep?.

The Floormap introduces a new high contrast plate view based on the intensity of the MFL signal response. The MFLi defect map uses multiple colour palettes to highlight areas of corrosion, reduce the effect of spurious indications and can be used to classify defect type.

This powerful detection and classification tool can reveal the presence of small diameter pitting, SRB attack, erosion patterns and other features that require further verification.

BENEFITS

• • Evaluates Tank Bottom Condition on Bottom Plates of Ferrous Material.
  • Quick and Cost Effective and Requires no Couplant thus is a “Dry Application”
  • Steerable Fast Motor Driven Scanner to minimize the time examination.
  • Features “discontinuity floor map” Functionality.
  • Ruggedized Touch Screen Technology for Ease of Use Within the Storage Tank Environment.
  • Available with the Full Sized MFL Scanner and/or with the Smaller Motorized MFL Mini-Scanner and MFL Manual Scanner.
  • Reliable and repeatable results.

LIMITATION

• Not a quantitative technique for identifying remaining wall thickness.
• Requires ultrasonic follow up where indications of wall loss are found.
• Poor surface conditions (scale, debris, roughness, and certain coatings) may limit the integrity of the inspection.
• Internal tank components close to the floor limit the access to particular areas.

APPLICATION

Guided Wave testing (GWT) is one of latest methods in the field of non-destructive evaluation. The method employs mechanical stress waves that propagate along an elongated structure while guided by its boundaries. This allows the waves to travel a long distance with little loss in energy, guided wave technology is now commonly used as a complementary screening tool to improve corrosion detection in various pipeline, the technology may be applied to thin- and thick-walled pipe, with diameters ranging from 4” to 60”, rapidly and economically. Use reliable engineering data to assess exactly where your pipeline needs follow-up nondestructive or visual inspection.

With guided wave, low-frequency waves are sent along pipe; these waves propagate over long distances, covering 100% of the pipe wall thickness from a single inspection position. Guided wave testing is used to identify areas of concern, which are then locally scanned with conventional UT or phased array to size the indication, ensuring that the rest of the line is free of corrosion.

BENEFITS

• Rapid screening for in-service degradation (Long range inspection) - potential to achieve hundreds of meters of inspection range.
• Detection of internal or external metal loss
• Reduction in costs of gaining access - insulated line with minimal insulation removal, corrosion under supports without need for lifting, inspection at elevated locations with minimal need for scaffolding, and inspection of road crossings and buried pipes.
• Data is fully recorded.
• Fully automated data collection protocols.
• Good sensibility in the inspeccion (minimal threshold is wall loss of 3% cross-section area ).
• Inspect approximately 150 to 200 tubes in an 8 hour day based in 180Ft of Long.

LIMITATION

• Interpretation of data is highly operator dependent.
• Difficult to find small pitting defects (area of loss below 3% of the cross-section area).
• Not very effective at inspecting areas close to accessories.
• To high temperature >75 Gr. C is necessary other accesories.
• TLimited to isolated pit detection and pit size (=> 1/8”diameter).
• Needs good procedure.
• To buried pipe other procedure is neccesary.

APPLICATION

Dry-coupled remote access ultrasonic crawler system brings major efficiency and data improvements to the inspection of structures such as storage tanks, vessels and offshore installations. Scorpion CRAWLER is equipped with the best ultrasonic electronics and software the industry has to offer. With its advanced filtering, the system can inspect materials ranging from 5 to 100 mm (0.2 to 4 in) faster and more accurately. The software allows for unique UT gate processing, such as floating and tracking gates, ensuring correct wall thickness measurements under most circumstances.

The battery-power crawler is designed to go where no man can go. Crawler handling is minimized with simple controls and long umbilical, when combined with a speed of up to 180 mm/sec (7 in/sec), allow the completions of inspections faster and more efficiently.

APPLICATION

The application of acoustic emission to non-destructive testing of materials typically takes place between 100 kHz and 1 MHz. Unlike conventional ultrasonic testing, AE tools are designed for monitoring acoustic emissions produced by the material during failure or stress, and not on the material's effect on externally generated waves. Part failure can be documented during unattended monitoring. The monitoring of the level of AE activity during multiple load cycles forms the basis for many AE safety inspection methods, that allow the parts undergoing inspection to remain in service.

AE-testing is a method for screening active corrosion and active leakage in storage containments. The test method exploits acoustic emissions of corrosion process or leaking medium. It is a non-intrusive method without the need of opening and cleaning the storage containment prior to inspection. The result of an AE-test poses a recommendation for a maximum operation period until a subsequent inspection is necessary.