New polyethylene pipeline integrity testing service launched in North America
06/04/2017
TWI has partnered with Team QualSpec, a world-class company providing specialty services related to the maintenance, inspection and construction of mechanical and piping systems, to provide the PolyTest™ service to the North American market.
PolyTest is a new field inspection system specifically designed for volumetric non-destructive testing of butt fusion and electrofusion joints in polyethylene (PE) pipes.It has been used in a wide range of pipeline industries, including gas, water, offshore oil, mining and nuclear, since it was developed by TWI, one of the world’s foremost independent research and technology organisations, with the support of NYSEARCH, a collaborative research, development and demonstration (RD&D) sub-organisation of the Northeast Gas Association.
PolyTest is supported by procedures to enable the detection of all types of flaws that can occur in PE pipe joints, including planar flaws, particulate contamination and cold fusion. It is backed up by extensive performance testing to determine the acceptance criteria that should be applied.
The self-contained system is fully portable, allowing in-trench inspections, and incorporates a simple scanner to accommodate pipes with outside diameters of 4-40 inches and wall thickness of 3-25 inches. It can also be adapted for pipes outside these ranges. After the joints have been inspected the system generates the results, providing a permanent record of joint integrity.
PolyTest complies with the requirements of ASTM E3044, ASME BPVC Section III Appendix XXVI and EN 13100-3, giving the end user increased confidence in the integrity of PE joints within their pipelines.
To enquire about the PolyTest service, contact Dirk Schumann at Team QualSpec, tel: +1 219 310 8560 or email: polytest@teamindustrialservices.com
For technical information about the PolyTest system, contact Mike Troughton at TWI Ltd, tel: +44 (0)1223 899439 or email: mike.troughton@twi.co.uk
www.teaminc.com
www.twi-global.com
