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Improvements in Image
Quality and Productivity of
Digital Radiography on
Pipeline Girth Welds

Presented by:

Charles Bollinger, 3ENDT

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2
 Paper Outline
• Basic Comparison: Conventional versus Digital RT
• Quality Improvements
• RT Digital System Design
• Detector (DDA) features
• Image Quality and Processing
• Code Compliance
• Data Review & Retention
• Productivity Improvements
• Mechanized system design features
• Set up, scan and processing times
• DRT Project Case Study
 Comparison- Film versus Digital in Pipeline
Industry
Conventional Film Radiography
• Applied and accepted for the past 40
years
• Use of Roll films, processing
chemicals, darkroom facilities
• RT film storage and handling for long
term retention of information
The Past
Digital Radiography:
• Gaining acceptance since 2005
•Use of Imaging Plates (CR) or Digital
Detector Arrays (DDA)
• Chemicals and Darkroom processing
virtually eliminated
• “On the fly” scan of weld, real time review,
analysis and reporting (With DDAs)
• Correct welding process errors to avoid
persistent defects
• Common data file for viewing using
multiple software (DICONDE)
The Future
 Quality Improvements
• Digital RT system Design
• Robust mechanical
construction to withstand
rough handling
• Improved design to
accommodate a large array
• Pixel pitch of 127μm
• Shield rating improved to
300kV- extends durability of
the panel
 Quality Improvements
• Image Quality and Processing
• Detector static during image capture-
eliminates image distortion due to vibration
• IQI present in every image
• Advanced software feature to stitch images
generating seamless weld image
• No image artifacts (except for non-
functional pixel displays) compared when
using Roll pack film or Imaging Plate(CR)
 Quality Improvements
• Code Compliance
• Meets ASME Section V-
• Image quality class B acc. ISO
19232-5, ISO 10893-7, ISO 17636-2
• 2% sensitivity or better
• Simplified process to ensure system
performance
• Data Review, reporting & retention
• DICONDE data format
• Viewer software features for basic
review
• Evaluation to Code criteria simplified
using image measurement tools
 Productivity Improvements
• Mechanized System Design features
• Light and Robust mechanical construction to withstand
rough handling
• Operating temperatures -40c to +65c, IP67
• Latching mechanisms for easy install and removal of
Monoblock unit
• Wireless/battery operated
• Laptop optional for acquisition (internal memory of the
Monoblock unit can store up to 200 welds)
• Set up time 2 min for any pipe diameter (faster with
practice! )
• 3 or 4 man crew can process 10 to 12 welds per hour in a
typical pipeline construction environment (120 to 150
welds per shift)
 Comparative Case Study- Pipeline Project
• Project System Crew # of welds Labor Equipment Total Cost
details/Assumptions per shift cost/shift cost/shift Cost/ per
shift weld
• Pipe Diameter: 24”
• 0.375” wall DRT 3-man 100 $2220 $225 $2445 $24
• Crawler –Panoramic
• 12 hour shift Film* 4- man 100 $2400 $125 $2525 $25
• DRT 3-man Team Labor rate:
• Data based on info provided by a Pipeline NDT service provider
$ 185/hour • Includes crawler crew time and costs
• DRT equipment budget: $140K (including maintenance, 3 year payback)
• Film RT 4 man Team Labor
rate:$ 200/hour
• Shift covers set up,
examination, data
interpretation and reporting
 Conclusion

• With improved quality and productivity with Digital

radiography on pipeline welds:
• High capital investment can be justified to gradually replace
conventional RT
• Enable remote oversight by client/client representatives on quality
(data review using viewer software)
• Correct weld production process errors early and save follow up
costs
Thank You!- Questions?