GUIDE & MANUAL GM-MS-MIT-101 EN

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Appendix 1: Non destructive methods

NDT method Description

Alternating Current Field Measurement or ACFM is a NDT method
based on Eddy Currents. It is applicable on electric conductive
materials.
Surface-breaking cracks can be detected and measured in length and
depth, up to 25 mm.
ACFM

Measure the depth of defaults

Depth gauge

In a standard eddy current testing a circular coil carrying current is

placed in proximity to the test specimen (which must be electrically
conductive).The alternating current in the coil generates changing
magnetic field which interacts with test specimen and generates
eddy current. Variations in the phase and magnitude of these eddy
Eddy current currents can be monitored using a second 'receiver' coil, or by
testing (ET) measuring changes to the current flowing in the primary 'excitation'
coil. Variations in the electrical conductivity or magnetic
permeability of the test object, or the presence of any flaws, will
cause a change in eddy current and a corresponding change in the
phase and amplitude of the measured current. This is the basis of
standard (flat coil) eddy current inspection, the most widely used
eddy current technique.
Eddy current Scanners using Eddy Current coupled with a magnetic field can be
testing used to evaluate the wall loss percentage of plates and pipes due to
coupled with

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MFL or Low corrosion.

frequency They work through coatings and on different thicknesses, with limits
eddy current
designated in the systems’ specifications.
testing
(scanners)

Altimeters measure the altitude of an element (for example, a

support leg). Altimeters can be barometric, that is they measure the
Geometry : difference of atmospheric pressure between a reference level fixed
altimeter by the operator, and the level of the altimeter. There also exist laser
or radar altimeters that measure the time of flight of the laser or
radar wave between the system and the ground.
Theodolites measure the deformation of an element compared to a
straight line (for example, verticality of roof supports, shell
deformation). A theodolite is a geodesic instrument, coupled with
an optical instrument that measures angles in both the horizontal
and vertical planes, in order to determine a direction. It is used for
Geometry : triangulation measurements.
theodolite

Infrared thermography is used to visualize temperature variations of

different areas through color-graded display. The images collected
can also be digitally stored.
Infrared The temperature measurements are relative. To obtain absolute
thermograph temperature values, the camera must be calibrated on an area of
y known temperature.
This visual method is notably used to check the quality of insulation.

Penetrant testing (PT), is a widely applied and low-cost inspection

method used to locate surface-breaking defects in all non-porous
materials (metals, plastics, or ceramics). The penetrant may be
applied to all non-ferrous materials and ferrous materials to detect
Liquid
penetrant
casting, forging and welding surface defects such as hairline cracks,
testing (DPI, surface porosity and fatigue cracks on in-service components.
LPI, PT) It must be noted that if the tank has been cleaned by sand- or shot-
blasting, surface defects might have been closed on the surface,
which will make them very difficult, or even impossible, to detect by
PT.
(ISO 3452-1)

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Magnetic particle inspection is a NDT process for detecting surface

and slightly subsurface discontinuities in ferroelectric materials such
Magnetic as carbon steel. A strong magnetic field is applied to the inspected
particle area. Magnetic powder sprayed on the surface reveals defects.
testing (MPI
or MT)
This method is also sensitive to geometric or material variations and
can be subject to false-calls.
(ISO 17638)

Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) is used to evaluate the wall loss

percentage of plates and pipes due to corrosion. The maximum wall
thickness that can be scanned is 20 mm and maximum non-
MFL
magnetic coating is 6 mm. The sensitivity of the technique depends
(magnetic on the wall thickness. The higher the wall thickness of the plate to
flux leakage) be tested, the lower the coating thickness must be for the inspection
to be feasible.

An ultrasound transducer connected to a diagnostic machine is

passed over the object being inspected. The transducer is typically
separated from the test object by a couplant (such as oil) or by
water, as in immersion testing.
There are two methods of receiving the ultrasound waveform:
reflection and attenuation. In reflection the transducer performs
Ultrasonic
both the sending and the receiving of the pulsed waves. Reflected
testing : ultrasound comes from an interface, such as the back wall of the
Conventional object or from an imperfection. The result is the intensity of the
reflection and the distance, representing the arrival time of the
reflection. In attenuation, a transmitter sends ultrasound through
one surface, and a separate receiver detects the amount that has
reached it on another surface after traveling through the object.
Imperfections or other conditions in the space between the
transmitter and receiver reduce the amount of sound transmitted,
thus revealing their presence
The PA probe consists of many small ultrasonic transducers, each of
which can be pulsed independently. By varying the timing, for
instance by pulsing the elements one by one in sequence along a
Ultrasonic row, a pattern of constructive interference is set up that results in a
testing : beam at a set angle. In other words, the beam can be steered
Phased Array
electronically. The beam is swept like a search-light through the
tissue or object being examined, and the data from multiple beams
are put together to make a visual image showing a slice through the
object.

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UT made by a robot with magnetic wheels and controlled by a

remote.

Ultrasonic
inspection :
Thickness
measuremen
t, crawler-
type robot

Large degradations or alterations are quickly detected, which can

steer the procedure to follow. All elements of a vertical steel storage
tank must be visually inspected if possible.
Visual testing must be carried out regularly on the entirety of the
storage tank to evaluate its general condition and decide if more
extended inspections should be done before scheduled
Visual maintenance.
testing (VT) Lighting of the areas to be inspected must be sufficient and access
opened. If the areas to be inspected are difficult to access,
accessories may be used: a pair of binoculars for far areas, or a
mirror or endoscope to see inside a part or behind a nook.
Digital systems, like cameras and endoscopes, enable image
recording for storage and future reference.
(ISO 17637)

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