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Advanced NDT Services

Our services operate a full range of state-of-the-art computerized inspection tools that utilize ultrasound technology, delivering unparalleled accuracy and resolution. All data files are stored on digital media, allowing for data review by clients or third parties.

ADVANCED NDT SERVICES (ANDT)

We can provide test solutions to whatever diameter you would require:

Our Capabilities:

  • Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT) – PipeWizard4
  • Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) – Olympus OmniScan MX with appropriate weld scanners
  • Time of Flight Diffraction (ToFD)
  • Tube Inspection – ECT/IRIS/MFL/RFT – Olympus MS5800
  • Full Saturated ECT on Exchangers, Air Coolers, etc.
  • Magnetic Flux Leakage on Tank Floors (MFL) – Silverwing MFL2000
  • Video scope – Olympus IPLEX
  • Surface Eddy Current Examination
  • Automated Corrosion Mapping

Automated Ultrasonic Testing

The use of automated ultrasonic testing (AUT), Zonal Discrimination technique, for inspecting pipeline girth welds during construction has significantly increased worldwide since the technology first became available in the 1980s. This growth is attributed to substantial advancements in ultrasonic technology and the safety and environmental benefits of avoiding ionizing radiation used in radiography.

To maximize the economic benefits of this new technology, it is essential to leverage ultrasonic testing's capability to accurately determine the size of any detected defects. Small defects can be left unrepaired if they are deemed safe through a fitness-for-purpose analysis. For this approach to be reliable, the accuracy of defect size estimation must be established, and the interaction between sizing errors and defect acceptance limits must be considered.

Features

  • Uses a multi‐channel digital ultrasonic system with robotic motorized scanner to perform on‐stream inspection on varying equipment items.
  • GIS utilizes the PIPEWIZARD AUT SYSTEM which has deployed globally, and it utilized the Phased Array technology since 2000

Advantages

  • No radiation licenses and no headaches moving isotopes.
  • No radiation hazard, so no evacuating the area and disrupting production.
  • No moving components to far locations to perform RT for new construction.
  • AUT is effectively real‐time no waiting for weekends and evenings to discover defects and last‐minute repairs.
  • Process control by AUT reduces repeated weld defects, especially for automated welding.
  • AUT permits the use of Engineering Critical Assessment, which typically allows larger defects. (Overall, combined process control and ECA should produce lower rejection rates.)
  • Storage cost for AUT data is minimal, certainly compared with RT film.
  • AUT permits faster construction and inspection due to no disruption of production and operations

Benefits

Radiographic Testing (RT) provides a 2-dimensional image of the weld, allowing interpretation only for length sizing. This method requires assuming all flaws are through-wall. In contrast, Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT) offers the advantage of vertical sizing, enabling the determination of the through-wall height of flaws. This capability reduces the number of unnecessary repairs.

With Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT), the thickness or diameter of a pipeline does not affect the scanning time. The scanning duration remains consistent regardless of these factors.

Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing and Time of Flight Diffraction Testing

Features

  • TomoView software and with scanners for pipes‐diameter 2” and upwards
  • Code-Compliant Inspection to ASME Section-V, ASME Section-VIII, B31.3, API 1104 AND OTHERS
  • PAUT & ToFD setups are performed by loading a file, not by adjusting each individual transducer position
  • Phased Array beams are optimized (angle, focus, UT path, beam width by setting appropriate parameters in the software, leading to better sizing accuracy)

Advantages

  • No radiation hazard, no chemicals, no licensing.
  • No down time in productivity of the works, meaning all other works on site such as welding can go ahead whilst scanning.
  • Very short inspection cycle time for higher production rate
  • Better detection and sizing accuracy, leading to lower rejection rate.
  • Real‐time analysis from smart output display
  • Date and inspection reports on electronic support
  • Better control of welding process, also giving lower rejection rate.

Benefits

Time-of-Flight Diffraction (TOFD) enables several cost savings and significantly improves EPC competitiveness compared to Radiographic Testing (RT):

  • The inspection cost, when compared with radiography, will be reduced by a factor of three due to the lower cost of equipment (no use of high voltage X-ray sources or expensive radioactive sources).
  • No manufacturing disturbances (interruptions due to safety requirements).
  • No night-working, and easy, inexpensive data storage.

Productivity Gains

At the same quality level, the inspection speed with Time-of-Flight Diffraction (TOFD) will be increased by a factor of three compared to conventional ultrasonic testing (UT). The productivity gain is even higher when TOFD is compared to radiography (RT), with more than a 40% increase expected. RT is generally performed at night to avoid interrupting welding during the day. Additionally, the delay in obtaining inspection results will be drastically reduced compared to radiographic testing, as there is no need for film processing or drying before evaluation.

Considering inspection costs, using TOFD can save about 10% of the total manufacturing cost of high-security pressure equipment, clearly demonstrating that the TOFD method significantly improves EPC competitiveness.

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