A multi-mode sensing system for corrosion detection using piezoelectric wafer active sensors

Abstract

As an emerging technology for in-situ damage detection and nondestructive evaluation, structural health monitoring with active sensors (active SHM) plays as a promising candidate for the pipeline inspection and diagnosis. Piezoelectric wafer active sensor (PWAS), as an active sensing device, can be permanently attached to the structure to interrogate it at will and can operate in propagating wave mode or electromechanical impedance mode. Its small size and low cost (about ~$10 each) make itself a potential and unique technology for in-situ SHM application. The objective of the research in this paper is to develop a permanently installed in-situ "multi-mode" sensing system for the corrosion monitoring and prediction of critical pipeline systems. Such a system is used during in-service period, recording and monitoring the changes of the pipelines over time, such as corrosion, wall thickness, etc. Having the real-time data available, maintenance strategies based on these data can then be developed to ensure a safe and less expensive operation of the pipeline systems.After a detailed review of PWAS SHM methods, including ultrasonic, impedance, and thickness measurement, we introduce the concept of PWAS-based multi-mode sensing approach for corrosion detection in pipelines. Particularly, we investigate the potential for using PWAS waves for in thickness mode experimentally. Finally, experiments are conducted to verify the corrosion detection ability of the PWAS network in both metallic plate and pipe in a laboratory setting. Results show successful corrosion localization in both tests.

Sensing solutions for assessing and monitoring of nuclear power plants (NPPs)

“…Wall-thinning or pipe thickness change due to ECW can also be detected by wave propagation measurements using piezoelectric transducers. The pipe thickness change can be detected by (1) generating pressure waves in the thickness direction and measuring backscattered refl ections from the wall-thinning region (Yu et al ., 2007); (2) generating lamb waves in the axial direction and measuring refl ected waves from the wall-thinning region (Isa and Rajkumar, 2009); and (3) generating lamb waves in the axial direction and measuring transmitted waves through the wall-thinning region (Yu et al ., 2007;Yu et al ., 2008). Piezoelectric transducers are also used to monitor acoustic emission (AE) signals generated by crack initiation for NPP leak detection (Rodriguez and Raj, 1997;Runow, 1985).…”

Review of Current Guided Wave Ultrasonic Testing (GWUT) Limitations and Future Directions

“…High-frequency GWUT has been extensively used in monitoring corrosion activity in structures [ 63 , 114 , 115 ] although low-frequency monitoring was demonstrated in [ 116 ] using 64 PZT sensors. In [ 117 ], Victor Giurgiutiu et al leveraged on piezoelectric wafer active sensor (PWAS’s) cheap cost, and networked multiples of it for corrosion detection and localization in plates and pipelines. Fundamental lamb wave modes S 0 and A 0 at high frequency (120 KHz) were generated and used.…”

Piezoelectric Sensing Techniques in Structural Health Monitoring: A State-of-the-Art Review

“…The principal modes of PWAS-induced Lamb waves have been extensively studied by researchers [ 47 , 56 , 100 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 ]. This method has been used as a multi-mode sensing system for corrosion detection, delamination in composite laminates, and the identification of damage in plate-like structures [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 ]. Lamb waves can be tuned using varying symmetric and antisymmetric excitation frequencies to enable the PWAS to detect specific kinds of defects in structures.…”