Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Abstract
Introduction
Concept
The CHIME Technique
Theoretical Modelling
Defect Detection
Defect Characterisation
Discussion and Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Abstract
Introduction
Guided wave systems using, for example Lamb waves, are being
developed for long range inspection [1,2]. The most useful modes for
inspection have wavelengths of the size of the plate thickness. These
relatively low frequencies give rise to long inspection ranges but
inevitably couple with low resolution to defects. At high frequencies
many harmonics are produced and the sound is dispersive making
interpretation of defect signals complicated.
Concept
Theoretical Modelling
Defect Detection
The CHIME technique can be effectively used to screen for any defects
in the sample as the presence of a defect will affect the transmission of
the Creeping/Head waves. In order to monitor for these changes the
data collection is been carried out using an
ultrasonic digital data acquisition system
[10] and the data is displayed as a B-scan
(Fig 4).
To detect a defect the signal transmission (and, in Fig 4: CHIME B-scans over a
machined notch a) probes
some cases, reflections) is monitored whilst arranged in pitch catch,
coupling monitors check the integrity of the separation 260mm and b) single
coupling. When the transmission signal changes probe in pulse echo. Defect start
(D1) and Defect end (D2) is
significantly (over and above random indicated on the scans.
fluctuations) then a defect is flagged. Total
transmitted signal loss will occur on large defects,
making them easily and reliably detected with this technique.
Fig 4 shows an example of the CHIME signal response over a machined notch
of width 50mm, length 20mm and depth 4mm, in a 305mm diameter pipe of
wall thickness 11mm. The pitch catch and pulse echo responses show the
effect of the notch on the signal. In pitch catch the probes are either side of the
defect moving perpendicular to the line between the probes. The flat base of
the defect allows the signal to continue to the receiver but the arrivals are
displaced in time due to the shortened path length. The pulse echo signals
from one probe show reflections from the steep side of the notch.
Experimental work has also been carried out to determine the sensitivity of
CHIME to non-parallel walls and curved surfaces such as pipe. For CHIME
signals to be established in a specimen, it is necessary for Head waves to be
generated in the material to intersect with the walls of the sample at the
critical angle. If the Head waves do not strike at the critical angle then the
conversion to a Creeping wave does not take place. It is important therefore to
investigate this effect on the detectability of defects, especially small volume
changes such as cracks
. In curved plate or pipe the outer and inner surfaces are necessarily not
parallel and experiments were carried out on a range of 6" tubes of
different wall thickness. The results show that complete ultrasonic
coverage of the wall is dependant on the angle of reflection at the inner
surface, which in turn is related to the ratio of the outer to inner wall
radii. The estimates of the maximum wall thickness to pipe diameter
ratio for sustaining the CHIME signals is 12mm in 6" pipe. The
conclusion from these results is that CHIME inspections and wall
thickness measurements can be carried out on any tube whose
outer/inner ratio does not exceed a value of 1.19. For example a one
metre diameter pipe with a wall thickness up to 80mm could be
inspected. For larger outer/inner ratios, CHIME inspection can still be
carried out however full volume coverage of the pipe is not guaranteed.
A second set of experiments was carried out on a sample with varying
levels of wall divergence to test when the CHIME signal breaks down.
The regular peaks shown in a typical CHIME signal on clean plate (Fig
2) break up when the wall thickness changes by 1mm over a distance of
75mm (13%).
Defect Characterisation
Once the presence of corrosion has been identified, the operator then
requires to know the extent and the remaining wall at the corrosion site.
The CHIME signal response to defects shows no direct relation to the
remaining wall but the loss of signal is some function of the cross
section and depth of the defect. For large areas of accessible plate or
pipe CHIME acts as an ideal technique to carry out initial screening to
locate regions and then to examine the flagged areas in more detail with
a thickness monitor.
However for inaccessible areas such as corrosion under pipe supports, the
operator needs information on the defect severity and a yes/no decision as to
whether to take any action over any corrosion detected.
Some recent validation trials have shown a strong
correlation between signal loss and defect severity. The
CHIME signal can be divided into the first arrivals,
mainly due to bulk wave arrivals, and the latter arrivals
due to the Creeping/Head waves combinations. The
Fig 7: Schematic of a
latter peak arrivals are the first signals to disappear when CHIME pipe inspection
the uniform nature of a plate/pipe profile is disrupted, system
such as in the presence of corrosion. However the bulk
waves have well-defined paths that can survive in the presence of shallow
corrosion. Their transmission is only disrupted in the presence of deeper
defects usually greater than 40 to 60% penetration into the sample wall.
Recent work has shown this correlation and some validation trials are ongoing
for the use of CHIME as an operator tool for monitoring pipe supports and
other inaccessible regions where corrosion can be a major problem.
CHIME is a novel technique principally for the rapid screening for, and
flagging of, defects in pipe or plate. CHIME is the transmission of
ultrasound between two probes placed a distance apart (up to 1m) in
parallel (or near parallel) walled material. The sound travels as a
Creeping wave along the surfaces and as a Head wave between the
surfaces. The unique way in which the waves propagate provides
complete isonification of plate or pipe with little attenuation allowing
the transmitting and receiving probes to be well separated compared to
traditional Creeping wave inspection.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the members of the Harwell Offshore
Inspection R&D Service who have sponsored this development. The
current HOIS members are Amerada Hess, British Gas, BP, DNV,
Norsk Hydro, Phillips Norway, Phillips UK, RTD, Saga, Saudi
Aramco, Shell, Statoil, Texaco Britain & HSE.
References
1. Bowles, S. J. and Scala, C. M. Ultrasonic Lamb Waves for NDT of
Materials. Non-Destructive Testing - Australia. v33(6), pp164-168,
1996.
2. Mudge, P. J., Lank, A. M. and Alleyne D. N. A Long Range Method of
Detection of Corrosion under Insulation in Process Pipework. Paper
presented at the 5th European Union Hydrocarbons Symposium,
Edinburgh, 26-28 November 1996.
3. Newton, K. and Saunderson, D. H. NDT Research for the Oil and Gas
Industry. The British Journal of NDT. v34(3), pp 123-128, 1992.
4. Duffill, C. and Silk, M. Large Area Creeping Wave NDT. Patent No
WO 96/36874.
5. Erhard, A. and Kröning, E. Generation, Propagation, and Utilisation of
Ultrasonic Creeping Waves. Materialprüfung, v26(9), pp 323-326,
1984.
6. Erhard, A., Wüstenberg, H., Schulz, E. and Eberhard M. Applications
of Longitudinal Creeping Waves in Ultrasonic Non-Destructive
Testing, and Practical Aspects of the Use of Creeping Wave
Probes.Materialprüfung, v24(2), pp 43-48,1982.
7. Smith, P. H. Practical Applications of Creeping Waves. The British
Journal of NDT. v29(5) pp 318 - 321. 1987.
8. Nagy, P. B., Blodgett, M. and Golis, M. Weep Hole Inspection by
Circumferential Creeping Waves. NDT&E International v27(3), pp
131-142. 1994.
9. Hsu, N.N. Dynamic Green's Functions of an Infinite Plate - A
Computer Program. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Bureau
of Standards. NBSIR 85-3234. 1985.
10.Carter, P., Slesenger, T. Harwell Ultrasonic Flaw Detection and Sizing
Equipment with Digital Recording. UKAEA Harwell R10368 1981.
http://www.ndt.net/article/ecndt98/chemical/103/103.htm