Pipeline Girth Weld Inspection

Thickness and Flaw Inspection Solutions

Carbon Steel

Phased Array Inspection of Carbon Steel

Pipes and Plates

Olympus’ versatile solution for weld inspections uses a variety of techniques to achieve a productive and efficient inspection on plates and pipes from 4.5 in. OD and up. Phased array, time of flight diffraction, and conventional ultrasonic techniques can be used alone or in combination to achieve full-weld coverage with high probability of detection.

This solution also includes different scanning methods for accurate defect position and sizing. The stability and encoding capability offered by scanners results in better data quality as well as enables code compliant inspections. Scanning is done using different scanners for manual, manual-encoded, semiautomated or automated data collection method.

The Olympus carbon steel weld inspection solution brings together Olympus acquisition units, scanners, probes, and software tailored to your needs. The solutions allow length and depth sizing for code acceptance /rejection.

Compound Scan

A single-group compound scan using Olympus’ updated NDT SetupBuilder software

Two sectorial scans combined to create a coverage similar to using a single-group compound scan

A single-group compound scan offers similar coverage as two sectorial scans

Olympus’ updated NDT SetupBuilder software now offers the capability to perform compound scan beams. This innovative inspection strategy consists of a mix between sectorial and linear beams and offers many advantages such as:

  • Higher probability of detection
  • Inspection of thicker material
  • Higher inspection speed
  • Shorter setup and calibration time
  • Faster data analysis

Weld Series PA Probes and Wedges

A31 and A32 Phased Array probes and wedges for carbon steel inspection

The A31 and A32 phased array probes and wedges offer unique features for a new level of performance.

  • Improved SNR
  • Ergonomic design
  • Improved coupling
  • Compatible with compound scan

High Temperature Inspection

Available high-temperature wedge that is compatible with the A31, A32, and Olympus Mini-Wheel encoder
A high-temperature wedge option compatible with the new A31 and A32 phased array probes and Olympus Mini-Wheel encoder is available upon request. The option enables the inspection of parts with a surface temperature up to 150 ⁰C.

Passive-Axis Focusing (PAF) Wedges

Olympus’ patented passive-axis focusing wedge series helps compensate for beam divergence in the passive direction for pipe girth weld inspection. The smaller beam width enables the sizing of shorter flaws on the scan axis, helping lower rejection rates. Also, because the beam energy is focused, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is improved, leading to sharper images of the defects.

Scanning Methods

Scanning Methods

Our carbon steel weld solution can be used with different scanning options.

Automated

The WeldROVER scanner is a simple, industrial-strength, one-axis encoded scanner that provides fully mechanized automated data acquisition.

The WeldROVER scanner is the ideal automated scanning option for inspection of carbon steel weld using one pair of PA probes and up to three pairs of TOFD probes. It provides a faster and more stable movement of the probes for higher rate and more accurate data acquisitions.

For efficient automated scanning of carbon steel welds in difficult-to-reach areas, the motorized SteerROVER scanner enables you to steer the scanner at a distance. Use the SteerROVER scanner with its rugged touch-screen handheld controller to perform reliable phased array (PA) ultrasonic testing of circumferential and longitudinal welds. The optional RECON camera kit assists in navigating the scanner, keeping the weld well centered, and helping ensure that the probes remain in contact with the surface.

Manual and Manual Encoded

The VersaMOUSE™ is a scanner designed for linear encoded scans with a phased array probe.

The weld can be scanned manually using one PA probe that can be encoded by attaching a Mini-Wheel encoder or by using a VersaMOUSE hand scanner.

Semiautomated

AxSEAM scanner

The semiautomated AxSEAM scanner eases long seam weld inspection in pipes. Monitor scan speed and couplant loss and start the data acquisition in the OmniScan™ on the ScanDeck™ Module . Easily adjustable probe holders support 4 probes, enabling PA, TOFD, and TFM inspection.

The HSMT-Compact is a manual one-axis encoded scanner. It can be used (with up to 4 probes) on plates and for circumferential scans on pipes as small as 4.5 in. OD pipes.

The HSMT-Compact is used for weld inspection with one pair of PA probes plus one pair of TOFD probes.

The HSMT-Flex scanner is intended for one axis encoded inspection of circumference welds on pipes of 4.5 in. OD (114.3 mm) and greater.

The HSMT-Flex is used for weld inspection with one pair of PA probes plus up to three pairs of TOFD probes.

HST-Lite scanner for weld inspection with one pair of TOFD probes.

The HST-Lite scanner is used for weld inspection with one pair of TOFD probes.

Techniques

Phased array technique allows multiple beam angles, beam types and beam offset to be generated electronically. This allows greater flexibility for easy adaptation to different type of welds.

Conventional UT technique can be an alternative to phased array when very high speed is required or when cost is preferred over flexibility.

TOFD can be used alone for fast and simple inspection or as a complementary technique to pulse-echo.

Combining phased array and TOFD techniques offers the best performance for most carbon steel weld inspection. Both techniques complete each other for excellent imaging, best POD, and flaw characterization.

Applications

  • In-service weld inspection
  • Pressure vessel and piping construction
  • Structural construction welding
  • Wind tower construction

Resources

Solutions

Weld Inspection Solution

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