Silverwing launches advanced defect sizing and classification MFL inspection system
17/09/2014
Building on the success of Silverwing’s Floormap3D with STARS top and bottom defect discrimination and continued research and development, Silverwing has launched its most advanced magnetic flux leakage (MFL) storage tank bottom scanner: the Floormap3Di. The new system introduces the Dynamic Cursor, for advanced defect sizing and verification, and MFLi (intensity) view, for advanced search and defect classification.
Together, these innovative features achieve significant advances in corrosion measurement, with the potential to reduce inspection times and significantly enhance the quality of a tank inspection. This enables tank engineers to determine the optimum repair strategy and improve remaining life assessment (RLA) and risk-based inspection (RBI) programmes.The Floormap3Di has a wider sensor scanning head, capable of scanning up to 1440 m² per day, and unlike manual ‘stop on defect’ systems, this is irrespective of the number of indications found. The software-guided mapping process encourages the most efficient plate coverage and helps to ensure the maximum area is scanned, reducing the chance of missed corrosion. The high-resolution MFL sensor head, coupled with advanced signal processing, significantly improves corrosion detectability and sizing over previous generation systems.
The Floormap3Di introduces a new defect map based on the intensity of the MFL signal response. This defect map is used to highlight areas of corrosion, reduce the effect of spurious indications and, most importantly, to help classify the defect type. MFLi has been made possible by the industry’s highest-resolution Hall-effect sensors and the advanced signal processing capabilities of the Floormap3Di.
The unique Dynamic Cursor (DC) sizing and verification tool assists in identifying difficult-to-size defects, such as deep pits, bacterial attack and through holes. By using the DC, prove-up actions such as pit gauging and ultrasonic measurements can be targeted at the most critical defects, reducing overall inspection time and improving inspection accuracy.
The innovative STARS technology (patent pending) adds an additional set of sensors to detect variations in magnetic field strength caused by top-side defects, and combines this with traditional MFL indications to identify top or bottom location.
The Floormap3Di has a total of 256 sensors, enhancing lateral resolution to detect smaller defects and reduce sensitivity to defect orientation. The top surface discrimination works effectively through up to 6 mm of coating, enabling effective tank inspection without coating removal.
Dr Matthew Boat, lead researcher at Silverwing, will be presenting the results of recent theoretical and practical research, conducted with Swansea University, at BINDT’s NDT2014 conference, which has led to the new system.
To see the new Floormap3Di and other Silverwing products, visit the Silverwing booth at the following events: NDT 2014 Conference, Manchester, www.bindt.org, Booth 49; the Tank Storage Conference, Coventry, www.tankstorage.org.uk, Booth PC3; and the ECNDT Conference, Prague, www.ecndt2014.com, Booth 41.
www.silverwingndt.com
