FEASIBILITY STUDY RELATING GUIDED WAVE ULTRASONIC TESTING (GWUT) AND PRESSURE TESTING FOR HIGH PRESSURE STEEL PIPELINES

摘要

This paper will demonstrate that Guided Wave Ultrasonic Testing (GWUT) could eventually be considered an acceptable tool for detecting indications of missing cross sectional volume that would rupture if a pressure (hydrostatic) integrity assessment test was conducted to API 1110 (or ASME B31.8 or 49CFR192 Subpart J). In addition the paper will offer one example of an industry inspection mitigation and response methodology for GWUT.rnGWUT at this early stage of development is a screening technology that should be considered as equivalent to a pressure or hydrostatic test. If the GWUT return signal exceeds a minimum amplitude and is confined to a small circumferential length then the anomaly(s) needs further investigation. If these two criteria are not met, then the pipe segment is considered "monitored", and the next pipe segment can be screened.rnSome perceive that the guided wave ultrasonic testing technique must find and size defects just like today's ILI technology. However ILI and GWUT are two completely different technologies. Each uses entirely different principles of physics and can not be expected to establish integrity the same way.