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Advanced NDT Services

Our services operates a full range of state‐of‐the‐art computerized inspection tools utilizing ultrasound technology and delivering unparalleled accuracy and resolution. As all data files are stored on digital media and data review by client or 3rd party can be performed.

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
  • Ultrasonic Guided Wave Testing
  • Acoustic Emission Testing

AUTOMATED ULTRASONIC TESTING

The use of automated ultrasonic testing (AUT) to test pipeline girth welds during pipeline construction has increased substantially around the world since equipment first became available in the 1980’s. This has been driven in part by a substantial improvement in the ultrasonictechnology and in part by the safety and environmental benefits of avoiding the use of ionizing radiation for radiography.

To get the best economic benefit from the new technology the capability of ultrasonic to define the size of any defects that are found needed to be exploited. Small defects can then be left unrepaired where they were shown to be safe through a fitness‐for‐purpose analysis. In order for this to be done reliably theaccuracy of estimating the size of any defects found needed to be established, and the interaction of the errors in the sizing with the defect acceptance limits considered.

FEATURES

  • Uses a multi‐channel digital ultrasonic system with robotic motorized scanner to perform on‐stream inspection on varying equipment items.
  • GIS utilized the PIPEWIZARD AUT SYSTEM of which equipment has over 42‐systems 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 contr and ECA should produce lower reject 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

RT gives you a 2 dimensional image of the weld.Interpretation can only be done for length sizing. You must assume all flaws are through‐wall.With AUT,you have the advantage of vertical sizing as well.This allows you to get a through‐wall height of flaws thereby reducing the number of unnecessary repairs.

With AUT,it doesn’t matter how thick or how big the diameter is on a pipeline.The scanning time is about the same.

PHASED ARRAY ULTRASONIC TESTING AND TIME OF FLIGHT

FEATURES

  • TomoView software and with scanners for pipes‐diameter 2” upward
  • CODE‐COMPLIANT INSPECTION,ASME V,VIII B31.2,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

TOFD makes possible several cost savings and would significantly improve the EPC competitiveness. As compared to RT

The inspection cost (of higher quality than radiography) will be cut by a factor of 3 due to lower cost of equipment (no use of high voltage X‐ray sources or expensive radioactive sources)

No manufacturing disturbances (interruption due to safety requirements)

No night‐working, cheap and easy data storage,etc.

PRODUCTIVITY GAINS

At same quality level, the inspection speed with TOFD will be increased by a factor 3 as compared to conventional ultrasonic testing (UT). The productivity gain is even higher when TOFD is compared to radiography (RT) ‐ more than 40% is expected ‐ RT being generally performed during the night (otherwise the welding would be kept in stand‐by during radiographic inspection). In addition the delay to get the inspection results will be drastically cut as compared to radiographic testing (no film processing, no film drying before inspection).

Considering inspection costs, amounts of about 10% of the whole manufacturing cost of high security pressure equipment can be saved,clearly showing that the use of the TOFD method would significantly improve the EPC competitiveness

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