Boiler Tube Welds
Zetec’s PAT (Phased Array Tube) Scanner is a motorized scanner for rapid, fully automated phased array examination of small diameter horizontal or vertical pipes in a tight environment. It can carry either two probes (e.g., weld inspection), or one large probe (e.g., for corrosion mapping). It is compatible with all Zetec phased array systems.
A large number of welded tube joints are found in a typical boiler and therefore rapid and reliable detection of welding defects is essential. Radiography (RT) is often employed to perform these inspections, but this technique is limited by the need to evacuate workers from the area during exposure and the delay related to film development.
Zetec has developed an automatic inspection solution based on phased array ultrasound technology that can be deployed in lieu of RT. The system can be used to detect and size fabrication and service-induced defects in boiler tube welds, from 1.5″ to 3″ NPS, and for wall thickness from 0.24″ to 0.4″. This high-speed system completes a weld inspection in less than 1 minute while providing full thickness coverage of the weld volume and heat affected zone.