Sophisticated gas pipeline quality controls have been developed by Forth Inspection Service using non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment hired from Ashtead Technology.
The test procedures were developed and validated with Scotia Automated Inspection Services – which is responsible for the quality control work – using a rented, second generation Olympus OmniScan MX2-P2 ultrasonic flaw detector with an Olympus CHAIN scanner kit.
"Phased array ultrasonics have replaced radiography for reasons of safety, speed and probability of detection, and are now allowed in construction codes for pipe welds to meet the ... standards," advises Forth Inspection's Darren Kinsella.
"With the benefit of the Ashtead equipment, we manufactured welded reference samples with seeded defects and conducted blind trials to assist in the development and validation of the test procedures," he explains.
"In addition to demonstrating compliance with ASME Code Case 181, the test procedures now offer a measure of weld quality and workmanship, while also providing accurate sizing and defect characterisation," he continues.
"The facility to hire instruments from Ashtead Technology's fleet of advanced NDT equipment means that we do not have to commit to a large capital cost, which saves money for both us and our clients."
