INTRODUCCIÓN

Applus+ cuenta con una amplia gama de herramientas y técnicas que permiten satisfacer las necesidades de cualquier proyecto de inspección, desde simples mediciones de espesor hasta inspecciones totalmente automatizadas. Disponemos de oficinas en todo el mundo, desde las que podemos movilizar unidades en un plazo muy reducido para asegurar una respuesta ágil y rápida.

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NUESTRA SOLUCIÓN
En los ensayos por ultrasonidos se utiliza energía sonora de alta frecuencia para inspeccionar y realizar mediciones. Estos ensayos pueden utilizarse para medir dimensiones o espesores, caracterizar materiales y detectar defectos, entre otras aplicaciones.
 
En los últimos tiempos se han producido numerosos avances en el campo de los ultrasonidos, donde las aplicaciones convencionales de medición de espesores han evolucionado hacia métodos más avanzados que abarcan múltiples modos. En Applus+ dedicamos enormes esfuerzos a desarrollar nuevas aplicaciones y tecnologías ultrasónicas, al tiempo que nos mantenemos al día de los métodos y prácticas industriales actuales.
 
Applus+ ha desarrollado una serie de tecnologías líderes en el sector para las siguientes aplicaciones clave:
  • RTD Vessel Scan: para inspeccionar soldaduras en recipientes a presión.
  • RTD RotoScan: para inspeccionar soldaduras en tuberías nuevas.
  • Beetle: para inspeccionar paredes de tanques de almacenamiento.
  • Mapscan: para generar de forma semiautomática mapas de corrosión de componentes de difícil geometría.
  • RTD LNG Scan: para inspeccionar soldaduras en materiales de estructura granular gruesa.
  • Lorus: para examinar si hay defectos o corrosión en zonas de difícil acceso, tales como las bases de los tanques y las zonas de contacto con los soportes.
  • RTD IWEX: una nueva e innovadora tecnología de inspección que permite escanear el volumen completo de las piezas con gran precisión.
  • EMAT: para examinar si hay corrosión y para medir espesores a través de recubrimientos o a altas temperaturas.
  • PIT (Pipeline Inspection Tool): herramienta ajustable de inspección de tuberías para los casos en los que no es posible utilizar robots automáticos.
 
 
Otras soluciones de ensayos por ultrasonidos son la técnica TOFD (time-of-flight diffraction), que mide el tiempo de recorrido de las ondas difractadas, la de ultrasonidos de ondas guiadas y la de Ultrasonido por Arreglo de Fases, entre otras, que se están convirtiendo rápidamente en el estándar del sector en el ámbito de los ensayos por ultrasonidos de hoy en día.
 
A QUIÉN VA DIRIGIDO
Garantizar la calidad y la integridad en diversos sectores industriales es fundamental para el éxito continuado de una empresa. Un método viable para conseguirlo son las soluciones llave en mano basadas en el empleo de ultrasonidos, que proporcionan a los operadores la información necesaria para gestionar de manera eficaz los activos y los riesgos de las infraestructuras antiguas presentes en la industria de hoy en día.
 
Los ensayos por ultrasonidos pueden utilizarse en cualquier momento del ciclo de vida de un componente y permiten desde inspeccionar placas, piezas forjadas, fundiciones o componentes soldados hasta monitorizar la corrosión de componentes en funcionamiento.
 
Los ensayos por ultrasonidos se utilizan en muchos sectores, entre los que se cuentan:
  • Procesado de alimentos
  • Producción de papel
  • Producción y refinado de petróleo y gas
  • Generación de electricidad
  • Aeroespacial
  • Marítimo
 
VENTAJAS Y BENEFICIOS
Entre las ventajas de los ensayos por ultrasonidos se encuentran:
  • Actualmente la mayor parte de los equipos son semiautomáticos o totalmente automatizados.
  • Se genera un registro electrónico permanente de las inspecciones realizadas.
  • Aumenta de forma clara la probabilidad de detección.
  • Mejora la integridad de las inspecciones.
  • Se fomenta la confianza en la integridad de los activos al identificar elementos que se desconocían.
 
TÉCNICAS CONVENCIONALES

Manual UT wall thickness measurements is a technique using high-frequency sound energy to conduct examinations and obtain thickness measurements. In an ultrasonic thickness measurements (UTM) inspection, a straight beam is introduced into the test object perpendicular to the surface and round-trip time is measured. Quantifiable information can be gathered for detection of localised or general wall-thickness changes.

The ultrasonic shear wave method is a technique which encompasses angle beam ultrasonic testing to identify subsurface anomalies not found directly underneath the transducer itself. Shear wave ultrasonic testing uses ultrasonic energy that is reflected back to the transducer from indications within a material and or weld.  This is displayed as an A-scan, from which an operator can review the relevant information to assess the integrity of the component.

Guided wave ultrasonic testing has been identified as an effective pipe-screening technology capable of assessing damaged areas over extended lengths in pipeline integrity inspections. The technology used by Applus+ for (long-range) guided wave NDT is designed with a minimum footprint of sensors and bands so that the asset integrity inspection can cover zones previously hindered by insulation or poor access. The coatings are now accessible, which reduces the mobilization times. Recent technological improvements mean that Applus+ can deploy guided wave ultrasonic testing in an array of environments and product temperatures. The results obtained from the guided wave UT inspection can be analyzed on-site by Applus+ and the client, enabling technicians to focus their efforts on areas of concern and help reduce the overall costs of system assessment.

TÉCNICAS AVANZADAS

Automated ultrasonic C-scan is a technique that utilises ultrasound and mechanised scanners to build a comprehensive plan view of the component being inspected. Typical plan-view imaging is displayed in colour-coded maps according to the thicknesses obtained throughout the inspection area. Calibrated dual-axis encoders provide a scale map to measure the lengths and widths of the indications found.

Guided wave ultrasonic testing has been identified as an effective pipe-screening technology capable of assessing damaged areas over extended lengths in pipeline integrity inspections. The technology used by Applus+ for (long-range) guided wave NDT is designed with a minimum footprint of sensors and bands so that the asset integrity inspection can cover zones previously hindered by insulation or poor access. The coatings are now accessible, which reduces the mobilization times. Recent technological improvements mean that Applus+ can deploy guided wave ultrasonic testing in an array of environments and product temperatures. The results obtained from the guided wave UT inspection can be analyzed on-site by Applus+ and the client, enabling technicians to focus their efforts on areas of concern and help reduce the overall costs of system assessment.

IRIS (internal rotating inspection system) is a technique that can be applied to both ferrous and non-ferrous materials and even non-conductive materials like plastics. With IRIS, the remaining wall thickness of tubes can be accurately measured. IRIS inspection is more accurate than other tube-inspection techniques and has the advantage of presenting information about the geometry of defects. Local defects and wall loss on both sides of the tube can be accurately measured. Defects under support plates can be measured without any limitations. The probe used in IRIS examination is made up of a centering device, an ultrasound transducer and a rotating mirror. An ultrasound pulse is generated in the transducer that is mounted in an axial direction, then a 45-degree rotating mirror in the probe will guide the sound bundle towards the tube wall. Next, there will be an ultrasound reflection (echo) at the inner and outer walls of the tube. These echoes are reflected back and processed by the equipment. The time between these two echoes represents the wall thickness of the tube. Knowing the sound velocity in the material under test enables the wall thickness to be calculated. Water is used to rotate the probe mirror and is also needed as a couplant between the transducer and the tube wall. A calibration standard of the same material and dimensions as the tubes to be examined is used to check the IRIS system response in preparation for the inspection. The tubes should also be cleaned to an acceptable standard.

Various locations within a facility have the potential to see the release of product due to hidden corrosion. These locations are referred to as 'difficult to inspect' and include equipment and piping which is partially buried, soil-to-air interfaces, concrete-to-air interfaces, piping encased in a sleeve or concrete, the support-to-equipment interface known as the 'touch point' and the critical area inside a storage tank. Unless the equipment is lifted, taken out of service or un-earthed, the owner/user is usually unaware that issues exist. LoRUS (Long-Range Ultrasonics) is capable of detecting external or internal corrosion within ferrous or non-ferrous material at a distance of up to 90cm (3 feet) depending on the material and its surface condition, corrosion, coatings and temperature.

Applus+ has developed proven and tested procedures for EMAT NDT and EMAT ultrasonic testing in accordance with applicable codes. The NDT technicians at Applus+ are rigorously assessed on data acquisition and interpretation for EMAT ultrasonic testing, with both internal and external assessment.

Phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) provides a fast and reliable UT inspection solution for flaw detection and characterisation across multiple presentations simultaneously. Phased array NDT technology uses multiple elements fired in quick succession to produce beams that can be steered, swept and focused electronically. Inspections across multiple angles are performed concurrently, creating significant cost savings and providing recordable results for further analysis and/or future inspections. Phased array ultrasound is capable of performing multiple applications including NDT welding inspection, CUI inspection mapping, and inspections on composites and components of complex geometry. Through use of accurate scan-planning and beam-steering capabilities, phased array ultrasonic testing increases the probability of detection, while inspection times are reduced to a minimum.

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