Use of Teletest Guided Wave Inspection to Monitor the Integrity of Complex Cylindrical Structures

This paper describes a pioneering application of Guided Wave Testing (GWT) of complex cylindrical structures. A procedure was developed to enable full length examination of the structures while they are in service. Regular tests were carried out on structural components that support an array of Heat Exchanger Pipes (HEPs).During one of the regular inspections, a major change in response was spotted from the central part of one of the component. The signal was confirmed to be a mechanically significant flaw. No viable alternative to guided wave inspection for monitoring the integrity of such inaccessible structures is currently offered. A substantial series of research has been carried out to establish the performance of Teletest for detection of flaws in these components to ensure that plants are operating safely. This has involved theoretical modelling, review of information in historical inspection data, practical tests on a full scale mock-up component and production of automated Teletest data collection equipment to allow real time in-service monitoring

Keywords:

Guided Wave Testing (GWT) , Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) , Defect detection , Pipelines.