Immersion probe arrays for rapid pipeline weld inspection
- Conam Inspection, Itasca, IL (United States)
- F.H. Gottfeld, Herne (Germany)
In 1992, F.H. Gottfeld, Herne, Germany, a member of the SGA Group (Societe Generale de Surveillance) and Krautkramer Branson, Koin, undertook production of a rapid automated ultrasonic testing (UT) system to inspect manually and machine welded pipeline girth welds. The result of the project is a system called MIPA, or multiple immersion probe array. The advantages of using UT to detect certain weld defects have been realized for many years, however for some applications the time required for UT has been a limiting factor. Where time has not been a factor, automated ultrasonic technology has advanced a reliable solution to many inspection problems across a broad industrial base. The recent past has seen the entrance of automated ultrasonic technology into the harsh and demanding environment of pipelay operations, However, the use of these systems has been focused on automated welding processes. Their effectiveness for manual pipeline welding inspection is contested. This is due to the infinite variability of the joint alignment and shape that is unavoidable even when highly skilled welders are used.
- OSTI ID:
- 105913
- Journal Information:
- Materials Evaluation, Vol. 53, Issue 8; Other Information: PBD: Aug 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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