QAE NDI for HEP

QAE NDI Technology for On-Line Inspection and Monitoring of High Energy Piping and Equipment

 

Margan is the world expert in on-line inspection and diagnostics of high energy piping by its own pioneered and developed the QAE NDI technology.

QAE NDI technology detects acoustic emission (stress waves) generated by flaws developing in operating piping. Main sources of AE are elementary micro-crack jumps and localized plastic deformation development around flaws/stress concentrators.

 

 

 

QAE NDI technology was developed specifically for inspection of piping and equipment during their normal operation. For this purpose were developed unique  methods of data acquisition and analysis that allowed accurate background noise filtration, signal detection and characterization.

QAE NDI technology is a full diagnostic NDE method that is capable not only to detect and locate of AE activity as traditional AE method does but also to identify flaw indication (crack, creep, systems of fracturing and de-bond hard inclusions, etc) and perform it assessment in terms of known fracture mechanics parameters like stress intensity factor K or J-integral value.

 

 

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Capabilities of QAE NDI technology

The QAE NDI method has the following proven capabilities:

  • Overall inspection of the piping/equipment during normal operational conditions. It covers 100% of the line ID, OD, circumference, length and volume of the metal and provides a color coded risk map of the line.
  • Accurate detection, location and identification of QAE indications of various types of micro- and macro- cracks that have J-integral value equal to or greater than 0.03JIc.
  • Revealing and assessing of QAE indications related to thermal and mechanical fatigue, creep damage development at pre-micro-cracking and micro-cracking stages, systems of fracturing and de-bonding inclusions, local material embrittlement, prefabricated weld defects and other.
  • Detecting and identifying QAE indications of mechanical impacts and their origin, malfunctioning of hangers and supports, statically and dynamically overstressed zones, leaks, malfunctioning valves, areas subjected to thermal shocks, etc.
  • Providing valuable information for predictive and preventive maintenance.
  

 

QAE NDI experience

The QAE NDI method has been used for inspection of over one hundred and forty operating high energy piping systems and over one hundred repetitive inspections. It has a proven capability to detect indications of flaws at their early stages with higher sensitivity than other NDE methods. This capability makes QAE NDI an optimal tool that accurately identifies suspected zones, monitor changes in the structural integrity of the line and direct other NDE or metallurgical investigation methods when and if necessary for additional flaw characterization or repair. Findings of QAE NDI have been confirmed by different NDE and metallurgical investigations methods in large number of confirmation and double-blind tests. It was also demonstrated that showed QAE NDI detected flaws before those could be detected by advanced ultrasonic methods. 
 

 

 

Cost effectiveness

  • The QAE NDI has been designed as an on-line monitoring system which is based on permanently installed system,
    frequent repetitive inspections and monitoring changes from one inspection to another.
  • QAE NDI performed during normal operation. No need in shutdown for installation or inspection.
  • Rope access is used instead of costly scaffolds.
  • Due to the permanence installation, there is only one-time installatThere is a minimal insulation removal (one-time action) which is of great importance when asbestos is used.ion and logistic costs.
 

Practical use of the QAE NDI

  • The cost proposal is for a turnkey solution, it is a fixed cost and it is the budget.
  • Installation and inspections are done on running lines.
  • To get a cost proposal, isometric drawings with dimensions are required.

 

The value of QAE NDI technology

  • On-line inspection and full diagnostics on running piping and equipment.
  • Improved safety by detecting of flaws at early stages long before they develop to failure.
  • Detection of operational conditions causing flaw origination and development in piping.
  • No need in shutdown, costly scaffolding, insulation removal.