Major improvements in weld inspection are obtained using Phased Array technology with capability for beam steering, electronic scanning, focusing, and sweeping the ultrasonic beams. Electronic scanning is much faster than raster scanning, and can optimize angles and focusing to maximize defect detection. Pressure vessel (PV) inspections typically use “top, side, end” or “top, side, TOFD” views, though other imaging is possible. Special inspections can be performed, e.g., for specific defects, or increased coverage. Defects can be sized by pulse-echo as per code, by time-of-flight Diffraction or by back diffraction. New PV inspection codes, particularly ASME Code Case 2235, permit the use of advanced ultrasonic inspection techniques. Pipeline girth weld inspections use a unique inspection approach called “zone discrimination,” and have their own series of codes. While similar equipment is used in pipeline as in PV inspections, the pipeline philosophy is to tailor the inspection to the weld profile and predicted lack of fusion defects. Pipeline displays are specifically designed for near real-time data analysis. Both ASME CC 2235 and the pipeline codes permit the use of Fitness-For-Purpose, which reduces construction costs. Overall, phased array systems meet or exceed all PV and pipeline codes.
Automated ultrasonics (AUT) is more reliable, faster, has better detection of critical Lack of Fusion defects in pipeline construction welds, and poses no safety hazard compared with radiography. Phased arrays also present major improvements over conventional multiprobe ultrasonics, both for onshore and for offshore use. Probe pans are lighter and smaller, permitting less cutback; scans are quicker; phased arrays are considerably more flexible for changes in pipe dimensions or weld profiles, and for different scan patterns; phased arrays can perform "specials", such as inspecting seamless pipe of variable wall, clad pipes, thick and thin sections, and use automated set-ups. This paper describes the PipeWIZARD ultrasonic phased array system for girth weld inspections, track record and acceptances, and some of the special applications. These include:• Compensating for variations in seamless pipe wall thickness.• Wedge temperature compensation.• Premium inspections for risers, tendons and other components.• Small diameter pipes.• Multiple displays.• Clad pipe.• Portable phased arrays for tie-ins and repairs.• Improved sizing approaches.
The ultrasonic properties of two devulcanized rubber (DR) blends with a styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymer compound (ACE) are investigated using a transmission method. The DR materials are obtained from commercial rubber crumbs (RC) by a proprietary devulcanization technique. Measurements on the acoustic attenuation and travel velocity are conducted on the samples with different sample thicknesses in the pulsed mode. Attenuation coefficients of the materials are obtained by changing the frequency of the ultrasound in the tuned tone-burst mode. The two DR/ACE blends show marked differences in the attenuation and attenuation coefficient, although the ultrasonic velocities are similar. These differences arise from the variation of the remaining degree of crosslinking in the DR materials. The acoustic velocities in the three materials are similar. The morphologies of the DR/ACE blend samples, observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with different staining agents, explain their similarities and differences. There are two crops of rubber particles: larger ones belong to the original rubber crumbs that survived devulcanization; the smaller ones are fragments of partially DR. These crosslinked particles contribute to the overall degree of crosslinking in the blends. The devulcanized fractions of the DR materials are dispersed in the ACE matrix. Scattering at the interface accounts for the differences in the acoustic attenuation of the samples.
Automated ultrasonics (AUT) is more reliable, faster, has better detection of critical Lack of Fusion defects in pipeline construction welds, and poses no safety hazard compared with radiography. Phased arrays also present major improvements over conventional multiprobe ultrasonics, both for onshore and for offshore use. Probe pans are lighter and smaller, permitting less cutback; scans are quicker; phased arrays are considerably more flexible for changes in pipe dimensions or weld profiles, and for different scan patterns; phased arrays can perform "specials", such as inspecting seamless pipe of variable wall, clad pipes, thick and thin sections, and use automated set-ups. This paper describes the PipeWIZARD ultrasonic phased array system for girth weld inspections, track record and acceptances, and some of the special applications. These include:• Compensating for variations in seamless pipe wall thickness.• Wedge temperature compensation.• Premium inspections for risers, tendons and other components.• Small diameter pipes.• Multiple displays.• Clad pipe.• Portable phased arrays for tie-ins and repairs.• Improved sizing approaches.
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