Pipeline Inspection With Focused Acoustic Modes: The Power of Portable UT Instruments

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Pipeline systems—commonly used in oil and gas or other petrochemical transportation—are Ultrasonic testing (UT) has been the ideal choice of NDT technology in many industries due to its ability to optimize the beam focus to identify and Pipeline systems—commonly used in oil and gas or other petrochemical transportation—are subjected to the possibility of serious corrosion and erosion that can lead to catastrophic failure. Routine inspection is required to prevent failure but complex geometries along the pipe curves and angles and hard-to-reach buried pipes create a challenge. To ensure the safety of such critical infrastructure, technicians and engineers rely on non-destructive testing (NDT) technology that is flexible and efficient.  

Ultrasonic testing (UT) has been the ideal choice of NDT technology in many industries due to its ability to optimize the beam focus to identify and characterize existing flaws with precision and accuracy. Pipeline inspection with focused acoustic modes expands upon traditional UT by improving the coverage and flaw identification ability.

Focused Acoustic Mode and Guided Wave Testing

In structures like metallic pipelines, acoustic mode plays an important role in acoustic wave propagation. Acoustic modes refer to the movement of atoms of crystalline lattice that enables longer wavelengths to propagate like acoustic waves in a continuous medium but disperse shorter wavelengths. For longer wavelengths, the relation between the frequency and wavevector, also known as dispersion relation, is linear. This linearity allows waves to travel for a long distance along the pipeline, guided by the boundaries, without any dispersion. 

These modes have enabled the use of NDT techniques like Guided Wave Testing (GWT) which can detect and localize the flaw in a rapid fashion—which is beneficial in the inspection of large infrastructures like pipelines. With GWT, a focused acoustic mode can be propagated at one point along the axis of the pipeline. The wave travels longitudinally along the length of the pipeline and with each reflected wave, it is possible to identify flaws at every angle or depth, even where NDT instrument access may or may not be possible.

Guided Wave Testing is one of the many ways ultrasound technology has been leveraged in industries. The combination of portable phased array ultrasound testing (PAUT) instruments with GWT capabilities is sure to enhance the quality of inspection in complex pipeline systems. 

Portable PAUT Instrument for Pipeline Inspection with Focused Acoustic Modes

Conventional UT instruments have been popular within industries for their coverage and flaw detection ability. Portable PAUT instruments take inspection efficiency a step further by guiding a focused acoustic mode propagation along the cylindrical pipelines for a long-range inspection ability. The use of portable PAUT instruments for pipeline inspections with focused acoustic modes facilitates:

•  Faster inspection of pipeline with long-distance inspection ability
•  Easy detection of corrosion, cracks, inclusions, and other types of flaws in insulated, exposed, or buried pipelines  without the need for extensive layer removal
•  100% coverage along complex geometries and varying material thickness
•  Focused acoustic mode with PAUT instrument for the improved probability of detection
•  High-resolution A-scan or C-scan imaging ability, allowing technicians to locate and identify the scale of a flaw

These benefits of portable PAUT provide a cost-efficient inspection option for industries with its fast inspection, in-service inspection ability, and also the opportunity to reduce cost on excavation or layer removal for gaining direct access to the infrastructure.   

Guided Wave UT for Pipeline Inspection with Focused Acoustic Modes

Accuracy in testing is contingent upon the right selection of instruments and tools. Portable PAUT instrumentation packaged with quality probes has enabled precision in pipeline inspection with its excellent sensitivity, long-distance inspection coverage, high-resolution visual feedback, and flexible testing capabilities. Pipeline inspection can be enhanced with the flexibility, accuracy, and efficiency of portable PAUT instruments with focused acoustic modes. 

Zetec has been a leading name for nondestructive testing solutions, especially with its versatile ultrasonic testing instruments. For ease of use, cutting-edge portable designs, and the highest quality—contact Zetec today.