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