Eddyfi GEKKO - Equipped with ATFM! PAUT & TFM device

To ensure the smooth operation of transport pipes that transport products to various areas of the production plant, regular evaluation of the piping, including all branch connections, is necessary. Since piping and other plant equipment are subjected to periodic and very high thermal stress from the condensate and steam systems, the risk of fatigue cracking increases. In order to maximize productivity in an economic environment where efficiency is required, a non-destructive testing approach is needed to assess the fitness for service (FFS) of these production facilities.

In aging infrastructures such as the petrochemical industry, potential vulnerabilities that plant engineers and maintenance teams should be aware of, particularly high-temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA), are cited as one of the dangerous defects. This defect occurs when hydrogen contained in low-alloy steel changes its atomic form at high temperatures, permeating the steel and forming methane. Once methane is trapped within the metal, tiny bubbles form, ultimately leading to cracking and fissures. Eddyfi proposes advanced, portable ultrasonic inspection tools for the early detection of HTHA, utilizing TOFD, phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT), and the latest total focusing method (TFM). This technology enables early detection of HTHA, enhancing the safety of critical equipment. For more detailed information, please [contact us].

Recent advancements in ultrasonic hardware and software have equipped almost all of our phased array ultrasonic testing devices with real-time full matrix capture and total focusing method. These represent a new generation of inspection technologies already defined in ASME and ISO standards. Austenitic stainless steel materials and dissimilar metal welds possess anisotropic coarse grain structures, resulting in specific behaviors of ultrasonic beams as they propagate through the material. This means high attenuation, high particle noise, beam redirection, and distortion; all of these phenomena ultimately lead to very challenging flaw detection conditions for phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT). With the next generation of flaw detection equipment and high-performance probes offered by Eddyfi Technologies, we overcome challenges associated with inspecting high-difficulty materials such as dissimilar metal welds, including high ultrasonic attenuation, reduced signal-to-noise ratios, and insufficient coverage.

We would like to introduce an application note on inspection methods for TKY welded joints provided by Eddyfi Technologies (case studies and technical introduction). For example, it addresses the challenges of inspecting fillet welds commonly used in the construction sector. Traditional inspection methods, such as ultrasonic testing (UT), have struggled with detecting flaws in the complex shapes of these welds, resulting in lower probabilities of detection. Eddyfi's solution utilizes advanced portable phased array equipment equipped with software tools that enable effective definition of T and Y joints, achieving improved overall inspection and detection probabilities. For more detailed information, please feel free to contact us.