The aim of the validation was to determine the capabilities of DRS™ in penetrating the repair and measuring the thickness of the underlying steel by comparison with ultrasonic (UT) corrosion mapping data collected prior to the application of the repair.
Dynamic Response Spectroscopy (DRS™) was developed by Sonomatic to address the issue of ultrasonic attenuation in coatings. It utilises low frequency ultrasound to penetrate coatings and induce the underlying steel to vibrate at its natural frequencies. Advanced signal processing algorithms are used to extract these frequencies and convert them to wall thickness meaurements.
The validation sample was a 30″, schedule 40 pipe with extensive internal natural corrosion. The UT and DRS™ inspections were carried out using
Sonomatic’s automated Nautilus scanner, a conventional UT transducer and a custom DRS™ transducer. The scans were collected in 1mm increments axially and 4mm circumferentially. They were then processed to create maps showing the steel thickness.
The validation showed that:
• DRS™ is capable of measuring the steel thickness
through the composite repair.
• The DRS™ thickness measurement accuracy is
typically ±0.5mm.
• DRS™ detects corrosion pits with diameter down
to 10mm .
• No major flaws were identified in the composite
repair.
Inspection of the steel under a composite repair allows an estimation of the corrosion growth rate. The reliability of the estimate is determined by the accuracy of the technique, typically ±0.5mm (80% tolerance) for DRS™. The DRS™ technique is also used for locating flaws in the composite repair such as delamination, poor saturation of the fibres and contamination. Understanding the condition of the composite repairs and underlying steel means that the risk of ongoing operation is effectively managed, the cost of replacement can be deferred or avoided and production is maintained – a shutdown is not needed.
