Application NoteHow To Better Detect Corrosion in Pipe Elbows

Application
Note
HOW TO BETTER DETECT CORROSION IN PIPE ELBOWS

Pipelines are critical to operations in diverse industries including, accepted as the ideal technique for detecting corrosion in pipes,
but not limited to, water, oil and gas, and power generation. with phased array ultrasonic testing allowing for precise wall
Therefore, ensuring they remain fit for service is a high priority thickness measurements to help determine the presence of this
within these sectors. Given that these pipelines are typically otherwise hidden damage mechanism. Yet, the physical inspection
constructed from iron or steel, corrosion serves as a real threat of pipe along the bends or angles encountered has been identified
to their structural integrity. That is where non-destructive testing as problematic.
for pipeline corrosion comes in. Ultrasonic testing has been widely
1 2 3
THE CHALLENGE THE SOLUTION THE BENEFITS

— — —
Considering the complex geometry of A specialized scanner that adapts to Complete solution offers a smooth
pipes due to bending or additional fittings surfaces makes it easier to maneuver on workflow, allowing the inspector
paired with the inflexibility of available the pipe and to transition from extrados to perform the advanced analysis,
probes and scanners, identify a better to intrados and cheeks seamlessly. processing, and exportation of corrosion
solution for detecting corrosion. data efficiently.
1
The Challenge
Angles and bends in pipework are essential to directing internal constitutes a challenge because of the sudden surface shape
contents, but it can be a rigorous job for industries to keep these changes between intrados and extrados. Multiple pipe diameters
sections from failing as pipe elbows can be the point of erosion must be inspected, preferably with the same probe configuration.
and corrosion in a pipe system. The high velocity of fluid passing The main drawback of available probes and scanners for the
through the pipe and turbulence contributes to the corrosion inspection of pipes is their inflexibility. Therefore, when inspecting
of material at the internal part of the pipe. Turbulence is high, complex geometrical shapes, this equipment may not be able to
especially where the pipe bends or is at an angle. This makes provide complete coverage, leaving technicians with interpolated
such angular edges the weaker point in a pipeline. Corrosion analysis based on spot check data. This process can be extremely
can encourage stress-induced cracks giving rise to pipe leaks taxing and time-consuming and may not provide precision in
or ruptures. This clearly presents a potential risk not only to analysis. And while fully automated scanners are an option,
operations but also human lives. they can be too laborious to deploy in the field. An efficient NDT
technique is required to identify all possible flaws in a pipe system
The inspection of small diameter pipe elbows for corrosion to help prevent failure and ensure optimal performance.
2
The Solution
Technicians faced with the challenge of corrosion detection controlled by the ElbowFlex button or directly from the pump. The
in pipes—especially in pipe fittings and angles—are turning to couplant pump can handle water-based gels in addition to water
advanced flexible and adaptable NDT scanners and probes as on its own and it strongly reduces the amount of couplant spilled.
the better solution. The ElbowFlex scanner was developed for
inspecting carbon steel pipes and elbows. Featuring magnetic, The flexible phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) probe operates
adjustable wheels that allow the device to adapt to surfaces in a pulse-echo mode and the UT performance is comparable
from 100 millimeters (4 inches) NPS to flat, the scanner to solid PAUT probes or Rexolite wedges. It can cover up to 50
maneuvers on the pipe and transitions from extrados to intrados millimeters (2 inches) circumference in a single line and the
and cheeks seamlessly. The ability to conform to changing and performance is comparable to LM 5 MHz, beyond near-surface
complex geometries enables complete inspection coverage. Data dead zone 3 to 4 millimeters (0.12 to 0.16 inches).
acquisition is managed by a single button, no extra manipulations
are necessary to start, pause, set the next index line, or reset. The TOPAZ64 is a portable 64-channel PAUT instrument delivering
With high-resolution imaging, operators can identify the extent faster, more reliable inspections. It intelligently combines the
of corrosion and make decisions on ideal mitigating efforts for power of 64 active channels for PAUT applications with the most
such defects. Accuracy and precision provide industries the much- advanced full matrix capture, total focusing method, and plane
needed reliability of inspection for continued safe and quality wave imaging capabilities. It is powered by an integrated complete
operations. inspection software that allows for efficient setup, recording, and
analysis; it also has onboard corrosion data analysis tools and an
As with most inspections, a couplant is needed, and the Aqualink export C-Scan data tool (*.txt file) for transferring inspection
wedge requires only a thin film of water or water-based gel for the data to proprietary customer software or Excel. For advanced
scanner to be adequately coupled to the elbow. A couplant pump analysis and data management, the software also has a tool
is available as an option. It is a compact peristaltic pump unit to compensate for thickness variations of Aqualink wedges and
that comes with Pelican casing. The pump is battery operated outer diameter surface geometry variations.
and has over 20 hours of continuous operation capacity. It can be
3
The Benefits
This complete inspection solution package replaces the traditional grid type examination with encoded manual scanning sequences,
generating high resolution C-Scan images with the use of the scanner combined with a flexible high-resolution phased array ultrasound
probe, portable PAUT unit, and powerful onboard software. Eddyfi Technologies’ specialized NDT inspection solution delivers accurate
and precise results for inspectors performing corrosion mapping in carbon steel pipes and elbows. Contact us to discuss implementing
tools designed with you in mind today.
2022-06
The information in this document is accurate as of its publication. Actual products may differ from those presented herein.
© 2022 Eddyfi Canada Inc. DYNARAY, ElbowFlex, EMERALD, FlexTrack, NDT Paintbrush, NDT Sweeper, THE INSPECTION ADVANTAGE,
TOPAZ, ULTRAVISION, Zetec and their associated logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Zetec Inc. in the United States
and/or other countries. Eddyfi Technologies reserves the right to change product offerings and specifications without notice.
www.eddyfi.com [email protected]

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HOW TO BETTER DETECT CORROSION IN PIPE ELBOWS

THE CHALLENGE THE SOLUTION THE BENEFITS

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