Guided Wave Testing (GWT) is a method of non-destructive testing that uses low-frequency ultrasound to scan long lengths of piping to locate areas of concern. A collar with transducers is placed around the pipe, and sends ultrasound down the pipe in opposite directions. The collar receives the echoes (reflections) of cross-sectional changes in the pipe wall, as well as their distance from the collar. The different types of echoes can be determined to be pipe features such as welds, supports, nozzles, elbows, etc., as well as defects/corrosion.
Guided Wave Testing (GWT) can screen long lengths (sometimes hundreds of feet) of pipe from one single location. This makes GWT one of the most cost-effective methods for inspecting piping systems. GWT is screening the WHOLE pipe wall as the ultrasound travels down the pipe, which makes it possible to locate small, isolated areas of pitting, such as microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC).
When areas of concern are detected in the GWT data, their locations on the pipe can be found by measuring the distance from the collar location. Once the location of the indication(s) is known, alternative methods of inspection are used to determine the extent of any damage.
There are many different applications in which the method of Guided Wave Testing (GWT) can be used. GWT can be used to screen difficult-to-access piping, such pipe racks, road crossings, or buried pipelines.
On above ground piping, GWT can be used to screen for external corrosion, corrosion at support locations, locating welds and identifying corrosion under insulation (CUI), as well as detecting internal microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC).
For buried piping, GWT can be used to screen for external corrosion, voids/inconsistencies in the protective wrap, corrosion at soil-to-air interfaces (SAI), and also MIC corrosion.
Please see the data scans below for just a few examples of the various applications for GWT.
Here are a few notes to keep in mind when looking at the data scans:
GOOD: The data collection above is an example of a clean, above ground pipe, resting on simple supports. This shot produced tall, clean weld peaks with minimal reflections at the support locations between the welds, as you can see in the A-scan. In the C-scan, you can see the clean welds 360° around the pipe. From one location, this data collection screened 200ft(!) of pipe in one direction, and was limited only due to an elbow to the left of the collar location.
AREA OF CONCERN: The data collection above identified an area of concern at one simple support location (red arrows). In comparison to the rest of the simple supports with almost zero noticeable reflections, this high amplitude reflection at the 6 o'clock position is an area of concern.
GOOD: The data collection above shows a clean pipe 360° throughout the data trace. A low amplitude indication to the left of the collar is caused by a support location. There are no indications of MIC corrosion in this scan.
AREAS OF CONCERN: The data collection above identified many areas of concern. These areas of concern that are concentrated at the 6 o'clock position, though not high in amplitude, are indicative of small, isolated areas of MIC corrosion throughout the screened range.
GOOD: The data collection above is an example of a clean pipe, which is insulated, and buried. Access to the collar location was achieved from a manhole. From a single location, this data collection screened 120ft(!) of pipe underground in one direction.
AREAS OF CONCERN: The data collection above identified many areas of concern in the buried section to the left of the collar location. These areas of concern are very noticeable in comparison to the buried section to the right of the collar location. Also, the sound attenuation is greater on the left side of the collar location, likely caused by the degradation of the pipe.
GOOD: The data collection above is an example of a clean pipe transition into the buried section to the right of the collar location.
AREAS OF CONCERN: The data collection above identified many areas of concern as the pipe entered into the buried section to the right of the collar location. The high amplitude reflections before the weld (far right) are areas of concern.
GOOD: The data collection above is an example of a clean firetube inside a Heater Treater/Heater Production Separator. The welds in this pipe configuration are mitered welds at the beginning of a 180° bend of the piping system.
AREAS OF CONCERN: The data collection above identifies areas of concern on the firetube throughout the data trace. The many areas of concern make it difficult to distinguish between the two mitered welds (far right) where the 180° bend begins.
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