Scanning the tank floor

Improving Inspection Through Technology

 Scanning the tank floor
 Aim
 To demonstrate correct positioning and scanning on tank floor
or annular plate. To implement the appropriate scanning
method around tank floor obstructions.
 Learning Outcomes
 Demonstrate correct scanner positioning during the inspection.
 Identify what data captured during a scan is shown on screen.
 Demonstrate how to transverse scan correctly.
 Demonstrate how to resume scans around obstructions.
 Explain the practical limitations of scanning annular plates.
 Locating where scan data is stored and when the data is saved.
 Identify how to remove old inspection data.

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 Correct positioning of the scanner
 Position the scanner so that the side plate closest to
plate reference edge is on the track width interval mark.
 On the first and last track position the scanner as close to
the plate weld as possible. An increased overlap area
always occurs on the last track. Align the scanner as
close to the plate weld.

Align side plate

closest to plate
reference

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 Incorrect positioning of the scanner
 When the scanners roller is positioned over the track
width interval the software is unaware and so positions
the track at the correct track width interval.
 This can cause a duplicate indication on the track as well
as incorrect positional information of indications.
Same indication
indication
An Indication found
found on track
on track 1 2 A duplication of the same indication

Incorrect scanner position

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 Incorrect positioning of the scanner
 When the scanner is positioned away from the track
width interval the software is unaware and positions the
track at the correct track width interval.
 This can cause missed indication as well as incorrect
positional information for indications.
Missed
Missedindication
indicationbetween tracksIndication
not shown Indication
incorrectly
foundlocated
during scan
on plate
Indication found
during scan

Incorrect scanner position

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 Scan Start Offset Measurement
 Once in-line with Track Width Interval position rear rollers
so that they are against the start edge or weld of plate.
 Start offset is 160mm [6.3inch] when against the weld.
 When not against the weld measure from the start edge
to the MFL sensor and change the offset value.

Lap Weld
Lap Weld
Start Edge

Start Offset Distance:

Measure 160mm
Start Offset [6.3inch]
Distance
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Annular Scan Start Offset Measurement
 This measurement is from the Annular plate reference to
the MFL sensor head. The value is different for each track.
 Position the scanner back as far as possible then check the
measurement as it may be less that 160mm [6.3inch].
 Negative offset values are possible if the MFL sensor head
is behind the plate reference.

Positive Offset value in Positive Offset value less Negative Offset value
front of plate reference than 160mm [6.3inch] behind plate reference
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 Track data captured during a scan
 Twist the handle to scan then release to end data capture.
 Track data is a combination of both MFL and STARS data,
STARS only and MFL only data is removed.
 The scan direction can be identified by the
white scanner slowdown area at the end
of the track.
 Distance travelled is from the plate edge to the
Enteredstop location of the scanner Scanner slowdown is
Scanner slowdown is
Start displayed in white
displayed
Release of drive handlein white
Offset ends data capture
Release of drive handle
MFL Data ends data capture
Position
scanner
STARS Data
stops at
Track Data

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 Transverse Scanning
 Transverse scans are performed to minimise the non
scanned areas located at either end of the plate.
 Scan direction is made perpendicular to normal plate
scans and is taken relative to Plate Reference.

Scan direction away

Scan direction away
from Plate Reference Scan direction towards
from Plate Reference Plate Reference
Plate
Reference
marker

Non scanned
Scan direction areas
towards Non scanned areas
located
Plate at the start
Reference located at the end
of the plate of the plate

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 Transverse Scanning
 Scan location can be either at the:
 Start plate edge which is against the plate reference.
 End plate edge which is against the opposite edge to plate
reference.
 Mid plate which is anywhere except the against the plate edges.
Measurement is from the plate reference to the damper.

Damper location
Plate
Reference
marker

Start Plate Edge Mid Plate Scan End Plate Edge

Scan location Location Scan location

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 Scanning around obstructions
 There are two ways to resume a track:
1. During the scan of a track.
2. Select a completed scanned track.
 The scanning direction for the resuming track is either:
 In the same direction of travel.
 From the opposite edge of the plate. (Rectangle plates only)
 When resuming choose the most efficient option to help
minimise the inspection time.
 Remember to mark the track width intervals on the plate
around the obstructions to help position the scanner.
 Transverse scans cannot be resumed.

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 Scanning around obstructions
 Identify which of the following types the obstruction is
because the scanning approach will be different.
Isolated Obstruction Pipework or heating coil
Blocking one or two tracks Running across many plates

 Always set to scan type to parallel when the

obstruction runs across one or more plates. 12
 Scanning around obstructions
 Isolated Obstruction.
1. Scan to the obstruction then mark the MFL sensor position.

2. Position the scanner around the other side of the obstruction

and measure the offset distance from the mark to the MFL
sensor.
1

3. Select resume, enter the offset measurement then continue

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 Scanning around obstructions
 Pipework or heating coils
1. Scan one side of the obstruction, marking the MFL position.
2

1
3

2. Position the scanner around the other side of the obstruction

on the track to resume. Measure the offset distance from the
mark to the MFL sensor.
2

1
3

3. Select the track number to resume, enter the offset

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 Scanning around obstructions
 Resuming from opposite edge.
1. Position the scanner on around the other side of the
obstruction and to scan in the opposite direction.
2. Measure the offset from the opposite edge of the plate to the
MFL sensor head position.
2

1
3

3. Select the track number to resume, select the Scan From

Opposite Edge? so that is it green, enter the measurement
then continue scanning.

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 Scanning around obstructions
 Annular plate obstruction can only be resume in the
same direction of travel.
 Do not scan from opposite edge.

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 Scanning around obstructions
 Multiple Obstructions
 If a plate has more than one obstructions it is possible to use a
combination of resumes methods to scan around.
 Look at the obstruction and decide the best approach.

1 2 3 1 2 3

1 3 2

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 Scanning around obstructions
 Multiple Obstructions
 Consider the tank section below with the various obstructions,
there are many routes to scan around these obstructions.
 Look at the plates surrounding the obstructions to determine a
suitable scanning path.
 Use load plate together with resuming tracks to scan efficently.

A2 A3
1/3 1/4 1/5
1/1 1/2 1/6 1/7
2/1 2/2 2/3
A1 A4

3/1 3/2 3/3 3/4

4/1 4/2 4/3

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 Scanning around obstructions
 Delete Track removed the data for the scanned track.
 Deleting a resumed track removed the entire track data.
 Clear plate deletes all scanned data and the plate setup
information.
 Do not skip any tracks, perform a short ‘false’ scan on the
track that requires skipping.
 Skipping tracks cause issues within the reporting software.

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 Saving and Exporting scanned data
 When a new inspection is created it generates a folder to
save the inspection data. The folder name is based on the
entered inspection details: Date-Customer-TankID
 By selecting these software buttons it affects the scanned
data in the follow way:
Automatically saves the scanned track data

Clears the scanned track data

Permanently deletes the track data

Permanently clear all the scanned plate data

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 Saving and Exporting scanned data
 Backup, in the Archive menu, copies and compresses the
current inspection folder which contains the scanned
data onto an external USB drive.
 Backup button is only available when a external USB
drive is connected to the Sitemaster.
 Ensure the USB drive has enough free space available.
 To close the completed inspection click Finish Inspection.

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 Saving and Exporting scanned data
 The file structure, folder names, file names of the
inspection data is important and must not be altered.
 Data format found within the inspection folder include:
 An inspection file: Date-Customer-TankID.fm3insp
 Calibration files: calibration name.fm3cal
 Plate details file: R*- P*.fm3rectangular
 Plate Track files: R*- P*_*.fm3track
 Annular details file: A*.fm3rectangular
 Annular Track files: A*_*.fm3track

DO NOT CHANGE OR RENAME THE FILING STRUCTURE

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 Removing old inspection data
 Ensure the current inspection has been completed and all
data archived before removing any unwanted data.
 A typical inspection folder, depending on the tank
diameter, can vary between 200 MB and 3 GIG.
 Remove a completed Inspection by deleting it from the
Inspections folder.
 Remove unwanted calibration files by deleting them from
the Calibration Files folder only.
 DONOT remove unwanted calibrations from the inspection file.

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 Practical Session
 Practical Exercises
 Positioning, scanning, transverse and locating for prove up
 Start scan offset with an obstruction
 Resuming during the scan of a track
 Selecting a completed scanned track to resume
 Scanning around multiple plate obstructions
 Using the load plate function when scanning around
obstructions
 Annular plate scanning
 Backup of inspection data
 Removing old inspection data from the Sitemaster

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 Practical Session
 Review of Learning Outcomes
 Demonstrate correct scanner positioning during the inspection.
 Identify what data captured during a scan is shown on screen.
 Establish correct selection of transverse scan based on position.
 Demonstrate how to resume scans around obstructions.
 Discuss the practical limitations when scanning annular plates.
 Locate where scanned data is stored and when data is saved.
 Identify how to remove old inspection data.

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