AQUALIS Inspection Services offer, Automated Ultrasonic (AUT) inspection services are advanced, accurate, and efficient techniques for monitoring discontinuities over successive inspection intervals, calculating discontinuity growth rates, and planning a repair or replacement activities.

In recent years, Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT) has begun to supplant conventional radiography as the preferred pipeline weld inspection method around the world. Radiography has significant limitations, including the inability to detect planar defects, the lack of vertical sizing capability, safety concerns, and environmental concerns.

As an important tool for implementing Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) programmes, Fitness-for-Service (FFS) Analysis, and remaining useful life programmes, AUT inspection provides highly accurate data. These advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) inspection techniques are also used extensively in capital projects, turnaround scheduling/planning, and shutdown/outage projects.

UT NDT welding inspection of girth welds during the construction of cross-country and long-distance pipelines using an Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT) inspection system. The AUT weld inspection system, designed for both onshore and offshore NDT pipeline inspection, can detect and measure welding imperfections within the weld and associated heat-affected zone, determining both the circumferential length and through-thickness dimension. The system combines a low false-call rate (FCR) with flaw-sizing capabilities, a user-friendly colour presentation using customised software, and result storage.

Advantages

• Higher probability of detection (POD) of critical linear anomalies.
• All weld bevels and welding processes such as SMAW and GMAW can be accommodated.
• Rapid interpretation of results.
• Immediate weld-quality feedback during inspection and construction to reduce repair rates.
• No radiation hazards.
• No harmful chemical waste.
• Substantial reduction of inspection time.
• Can be used with TOFD at the normal Rotoscan inspection speed.
• Provides accurate flaw height, depth, length and type for ECA (engineering critical assessment) weld-acceptance criteria, which is something radiography cannot provide.
• No equipment inside the pipe.
• High-speed offshore pipeline inspections – up to 350 welds per day.
• Inspection speeds of up to 80mm/sec (3”/sec).
• No delays or stoppages to adjacent pipeline workers.
• Capable of inspecting welds at elevated temperatures (up to 95°C).
• Acceptance criteria can be adjusted to suit client requirements.
• Cost effective when used in long-distance pipeline construction.
• Welding and UT weld inspection can be carried out at the same location.