Long-Term Erosion Monitoring of Metallic Conduits by Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Techniques

摘要

Erosion monitoring of metallic transfer lines and fittings in pressurized equipment used to process particulate matter, such as pulverized coal or ash, can prevent unexpected component failures and contribute to improved equipment designs. Nondestructive, ultrasonic pulse-echo techniques to detect erosion have been developed for high-temperature (approx. 650 exp 0 C) on-line measurements and applied to various stainless steel and carbon steel components of coal-gasification and liquefaction pilot plants. The techniques are described, together with successful methods of accounting for varying specimen temperatures, long monitoring times (months to years), and exposure of transducers and couplant to weather. Measurement characteristics peculiar to erosion monitoring are discussed. (ERA citation 04:048042)