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 sphere’s 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 sphere’s 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.

• 1000m³ 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 Kırıkkale
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

Görkem Bayten : +90 5053078705

gorkem.bayten@integrityndt.com
Özgen Bulut : +90 5053078705
ozgen.bulut@integrityndt.com