Inspection Technology Services EST.

Rapid Flow Pipeline Screening System

(Guided Wave Inspection of Piping)
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

Introduction
Inspection Technology Services Est., is a provider of NDT and Inspection Services
in Saudi Arabia. One of the specialized services we provide is Guided Wave
Inspection of piping. This presentation provides a very brief overview of this state
of art Hi-tech inspection.

A widely using technique in European Countries, USA and by Saudi Aramco in

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

For more details and FAQ please contact us at majid@itech.com.sa

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

What are guided wave ?

Guided wave testing is a form of ultrasonic
testing in which the sound waves are sent
along the length of a pipe to get
information about the condition of the
pipe. The Rapid Flow Piping Screening
System is placed around the pipe and
guided waves are sent in both directions
along the pipe. They are called guided
waves because the sound waves are guided
along the length of the pipe by the pipe
walls.

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

What are guided wave ? (Cont….)

So, if the pipe is bent, the sound travels
around the bend. In conventional UT the
sound travels straight, until reflected or
refracted. Here tens of meters of piping are
examined in one setting. It can examine under
insulation or if the pipe is buried. However
the tool itself needs to be placed in direct
contact with the pipe. This technology is
being developed for tubes and for aircraft
structure lap joints also. This paper is only
about applications in piping.

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

Equipment

The application of
long range guided
ultrasonic waves for
the inspection of pipes

Wavemaker Pipe Screening System

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

How Does It Work ?

A guided wave “tool”, consisting of

an array of probes, is fitted around
the pipe to be examined. The probes
are connected to an instrument that is
controlled by a laptop computer.
These probes work together.

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

How Does It Work ? (Cont….)

They send the ultrasound waves in

both directions along the pipe. The
returning signals are processed and
analyzed using custom built software
on the computer. The tools are
available in modular or standard sizes
from 3” NB to 30” NB and more.

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

Where do we apply Guided Waves

It is applied for the rapid screening of pipe work for corrosion

(basically reduction of wall thickness).

It can be applied economically for buried or insulated piping or

elevated piping. It is cost-effective, because, with minimal
removal of insulation or excavation, the plant operator can
assess the condition of long lengths of pipe work.

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

Example Road Crossing

-F1 +F1 +F2 +F3
+F4
3.0
Amp (mV)

2.0

1.0

0.0
-10.0 0.0 10.0
Distance (m)

Typical Weld Drain

1.5
+F3 +F4
3.0 +F1

Amp (mV)
1.0
Amp (mV)

2.0

0.5
1.0

0.0 0.0
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 13.0 14.0 15.0 16.0
Distance (m) Distance (m)

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

Pipe passing through earth wall I

Pipe being
screened

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

Pipe passing through earth wall II

10 inch pipe
under test 8 inch pipe
under test

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

Result From the Clean 8” Pipe

-F2 -F1 +F1+F2 +F3 +F4 +F5

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0
-10.0 -5.0 0.0 5.0 10.0
Distance (m)

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

Result From the Corroded 10” Pipe

2.0 -F
Amp (mV)

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0
-20.0 -10.0 0.0 10.0 20.0
Distance (m)

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

Ideal Conditions Jetty Line

On straight, exposed pipes in

good condition long distances
are quickly screened Ring

0.25
-F1 -F2 -F3 -F4 -F5 -F6 -F7 -F8 -F9 -F10
0.20
Amp (mV)

0.15

0.10

0.05

0.00
0 20 40 60
Distance (m)

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

Examination of Penetrations

This sleeved wall penetration has been

easily screened without needing to remove
a rubber sealing gasket
0.25
+F1 +F2 +F3 +F4
0.20
Amp (mV)

0.15

0.10

0.05

0.00
2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0
Distance (m)

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

Two types of waves are used in this Equipment

Torsional Longitudinal
(twisting of the (compression of the
pipe) pipe)
Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

Equipment performance

Low voltage, battery operated

Wide frequency range allows test sensitivity
to be adjusted for site conditions
Option to use multiple types of guided wave
modes
Safe
Traceable
Built in redundancy
Assisted feature recognition
Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

Capabilities
100% of the pipe is inspected (within the diagnostic length of
a test)
Pulse echo type operation provides information on feature
position and approximate size
Can be performed without taking the pipe out of service
Sophisticated analysis aids interpretation of results

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

For Small Dia pipes …..

Tested using solid rings
For pipes 1 - 8 inches diameter
Can be mounted in less than a
minute
3 inches clearance needed
around pipe

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

For Large Dia pipes …..

Tested using inflatable ring
For pipes 6 inches or greater
Employ conventional foot pump
to inflate
2 inches clearance needed
around most of pipe

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

How is it different from conventional UT ?

In conventional UT the sound waves travel generally
perpendicular to the surface and they travel in straight lines until
they are refracted or reflected. In the case of guided waves they
travel along the length of the pipe and are “guided” by the pipe
walls. “Guided waves” are a special case of plate waves.

In a conventional UT examination the probe is moved or

indexed to cover the full job. In the case of guided waves the
probes remain stationary and covers tens of meters of piping.

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

How is it different from conventional UT ? (Cont…)

For the waves to be guided by the pipe walls, the frequency used (for the usual
thicknesses encountered) is of the order of Kilo Hertz as against Mega Hertz range
in normal UT.

Guided waves is not used to measure thickness, it is used to estimate wall Loss
due to corrosion or erosion. So Guide Waves are not a substitute for UT thickness
gauging or other forms of thickness monitoring.

Guided Waves are not used for detecting damage like cracking/SCC/IGSCC/IGC
creep damage and so on.

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa
 Inspection Technology Services EST.

Contact details

MAJID FAHAD AL SAIF

Inspection Technology Services Est.
Tel : 8334415 / Mobile : 0506803918
Fax: 8332246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa

Post Box 14695, Dammam 31434, KSA Phone : 03 833 4415 Fax : 03 833 2246
E-mail : majid@itec.com.sa