Acoustic Emission In-service Detection of Cryogenic Storage Tank Floors

摘要

This paper explores AE in-service testing of cryogenic storage tank floors of monolayer or bi-layer (dual tanks) by means of recommended methods of sensor coupling and mounting. For AE inspection of monolayer tanks, we tried to use water instead of ordinary couplant such as vacuum grease, which is unsuitable to couple sensors because of its high sound attenuation in cryogenic temperatures, and we got ideal results. As for cryogenic bi-layer tanks, it is hard to fix sensors directly to the shell of inner tank to collect signals from the floor, we found that sensors can be placed on protruded ends of braces connected to inner tank shell. An example of AE in-service testing of a cryogenic bi-layer tank floors is given and significative experience is achieved.