Dutch company AcousticEye Ltd claims that it has developed a non-destructive testing (NDT) system, based on acoustic technology, that is capable of producing comprehensive, accurate results considerably faster than traditional methods.
The non-destructive inspection technologies start-up company, which is based in Leusden, The Netherlands, says that the easy-to-use system is able to inspect tubes 10-20 times faster than all previously existing methods - making it possible, for the first time ever, for companies to accurately test 100% of their heat exchangers.
Cost, time and expertise constraints have historically made it impractical to test every tube in heat-exchanger systems. Inspectors have had to rely instead on the hope that sampled subsets would accurately represent the functional integrity of heat-exchanger tubes, which are so critical to the safe and reliable operation of heat exchanger systems across industries such as the oil and gas, chemical and power-generating sectors.
“As a service provider for power-plant, tubular heat exchanger systems, we have been impressed with the ease-of-use, speed and accuracy of the AcousticEye technology,” said Earl Proud, Vice President and General Manager, TEi Struthers Services.
“The capabilities of the Dolphin system and accompanying software are powerful, and we have yet to fully explore the scope and versatility of its application.”
Research has shown that the total heat-exchanger fouling cost for highly industrialised countries represents about 0.25% of their gross national product (GNP), says AcousticEye. The Dolphin system eliminates the inherent statistical risk that comes with the incomplete and unsafe approach of inspection by sampling.
“A large portion of the 15-20 million heat exchanger installations worldwide are ageing and require more frequent inspections to ensure structural integrity - a process that historically has been difficult and time consuming to carry out, and at times, not possible at all because of the tube configuration or material,” said Nadav Ofir, a senior consultant at market research company Frost & Sullivan.
“AcousticEye’s technology significantly simplifies the entire heat exchanger inspection procedure, enabling 100% of the tubes to inspected quickly. In addition, its analysis software reduces the dependency on the availability of a technician who specialises in NDT - a limiting factor in the industry. Overall, the AcousticEye system brings a positive message to sectors where small-diameter tubes are used.”
With existing technologies, heat exchanger users are typically limited to sample-testing well under 10% of deployed tubes. AcousticEye’s Dolphin 2000 system, based on acoustic pulse reflectometry (APR), is a non-invasive NDT technology that enables heat-exchanger system tubes of every configuration, size and material - aspects that have inherently limited the effectiveness of traditional invasive methods - to be inspected.
The firm says that the accompanying software produces automated, repeatable results which are consistent, comprehensive, objective and actionable, enabling anyone to conduct and analyse inspection data.
AcousticEye claims that unlike the industry standard of eddy current testing, which requires years of education and a high level of certification, its products can be implemented quickly, following a two-day training course.
“Standard inspection technologies are time-consuming and require highly skilled professionals to physically traverse the entire length of a tube with specialised probes - a process that is slow and prone to breaking down,” explained Tal Pechter, Chief Executive Officer, AcousticEye.
“Our goal is to change the way companies inspect and monitor heat exchanger systems. Using our patented APR technology companies can test a tube in less than 9 seconds. They no longer need to rely on sampling and can now inspect 100% of tubes quickly and confidently.”
Using APR, AcousticEye’s Dolphin 2000 technology emits a series of acoustic waves and then measures the resulting reflections. The company’s patented software assigns a different signature to each type of flaw, enabling the system to identify every defect, and then pinpoint the location and determine the severity of every problem - all without human interaction or interpretation.
AcousticEye was established during 2005 by Tal Pechter and Dr Noam Amir to bring acoustic technology to the NDT industry. The company develops, manufacturers and markets mobile and embedded tube inspection devices. AcousticEye’s patented (pending) technology offers accurate and rapid single-point inspection of inaccessible tubes. Its Dolphin family of devices are unique in their ability to quickly find and accurately locate defects in complex tube systems, regardless of the material from which they are made, without the need for a probe to physically traverse the tubes.
For further information, contact:
AcousticEye International, PO Box 205 3830, AE Leusden, The Netherlands. Tel: +31-20-708-4784, Web: www.acousticeye.com
Rico Ltd, Unit 4 Henry Edwards Industrial Estate, Worcestershire WR15 8LE, UK. Tel: +44-1584-811716, Web: www.ricoservices.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment