TIME OF FLIGHT DIFFRACTION (TOFD) & PULSE ECHO (PE) ULTRASONIC INSPECTION OF LPG SPHEREs

TOFD Technique
The TOFD technique was first applied in 1985 at the Harwell Center (UK) in response to insistent requests to size cracks in nuclear reactor welds. The TOFD technique is a fully computerized system able to scan, store, and evaluate indications in terms of height, length, and position with a grade of coverage, accuracy and speed not achieved by other ultrasonic techniques. The TOFD technique is based on diffraction of ultrasonic energy from tips of discontinuities, instead of geometrical reflection on the interface of the discontinuities.

TOFD Technique
This phenomena makes TOFD effective for identifying cracks and lack of fusion located along the vertical axis of the weld (in particular for narrow gap preparation) or with any other orientations, because defect detection is not affected by unfavourable orientation to the primary sound energy angle. These features have extended the use of TOFD to replace Radiography and complex Ultrasonic inspection by tandem technique wherever planar defects (cracks, lack of fusion) are the main object of examination.

Principle of TOFD
Four different types of waves are involved in the construction of a TOFD image: longitudinal wave generated by the transmitter and partially transformed in spherical wave when the beam crosses the tip of a defect the lateral wave that propagates near the surface between the two transducers the longitudinal wave reflected by the backwall the shear waves generated by the mode conversion L/T on the interface of discontinuities

Principle of TOFD

Integrity NDT I-Scan Scanner

Integrity NDT Ltd have designed and built I-Scan; a simple to use and versatile semi-automated scanner for TOFD or Phased Array. Easy slide, spring loaded probe arms. Super-strength magnetic wheels. Optional positional guide track Integral positional encoder. Lightweight robust design. Cost & time savings through efficient scanning. More accurate repeatable scanning.

ADVANTAGES OF TOFD & PE ULTRASONIC INSPECTION FOR LPG SPHEREs

In-Service Inspection
LPG sphere remains in-service. No surface preparation before inspection. If the spheres paint is well adhered, Integrity NDT can carry out the inspection on the painted surface.

Rope Access
Integrity NDT has qualified personnel from the the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA). Not necessary to build scaffold for reaching your spheres welds.

Better Detection Sensitivity

TOFD & PE inspection has better detection and measurement sensitivity than many conventional NDT methods (for detailed information please look at the attached academic articles).

Cost Efficiency
Tank in-service during inspection No down time. No blasting and preparation cost No scaffold cost

Time Efficiency
Rapid scanning is possible and weldments can be made in a single pass. This makes the technique more efficient and faster. 1000m Tank can be scanned in 4 5 days

Safety
TOFD & PE outside sphere inspection is safer than accessing internal sphere surfaces and utilising conventional NDT inspection methods. All of the Integrity NDT Ltd. equipment designed for decreasing the spark potential. NDT and Rope Access personnel have safety education. Integrity NDT Ltd. has safety procedures for decreasing the risk of the accidents.

Recent References
TOFD & Pulse echo ultrasonic inspection on a LPG sphere - TUPRAS Krkkale Refinery / Turkey TOFD inspections on North Sea installation process pipework for weld root erosion - Shell UK. TOFD inspections on in-service Stainless Steel Chemical Mixing Vessels on behalf of Chemtura Chemicals TOFD inspections of pressure vessels for the Khursaniyah redevelopment project Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Aramco. Development of Inspection Management Software Database development for controlling shutdown inspection activities to British Energy Plc. TOFD inspections of high pressure steam pipework at Qurayyah and Ghazlan power plants Kingdom of Saudi Arabia carried out as part of asset life management program by ERA Ltd. TOFD inspections of Liquid Chlorine vessels at Ineos Plc, Runcorn, UK. Shutdown Management and Audit of inspection activities during planned shutdown maintenance at International Power CCGT sites. References can be provided on request.

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR DETAILED INFORMATION

Contact Us
Head Office
Address: Lismore, Well Lane, Mollington, Cheshire, United Kingdom CH1 6LD Tel. +44 (0) 1244851904 E-mail: info@integrityndt.com

Turkey Branch
Workshop Address: Merkez Sanayi Sitesi 573. sok. No:7 Ivoksan /Ankara / Turkiye Grkem Bayten zgen Bulut : +90 5053078705 gorkem.bayten@integrityndt.com : +90 5053078705 ozgen.bulut@integrityndt.com