Limitations and challenges of ultrasonic measurements in petroleum derivatives
J H Kern, G Ptaszek, W Guo and V Seelan
TWI Ltd, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6AL, UK
TankRob was a Horizon 2020 project with the remit to design and build a robot capable of performing ultrasonic (UT) inspection of petroleum distillate container tank floors. These environments are explosive and as such ATEX certification is a prerequisite.
The effect of different petroleum-based fluids on ultrasonic signals was investigated to establish the practical boundaries for UT inspections under petroleum distillates. It was found that these fluids were highly attenuating, restricting the range for any UT inspection to the near field. The effect was particularly evident at high frequencies (above 15 MHz) for which near field is larger.
In tandem to the investigation into the effect of fluids was the development of an ATEX Zone 0 phased array ultrasonic transducer (PAUT) for incorporation with the TankRob robot.
The development of the PAUT plus the practical deployment of the TankRob robot in a representative environment are discussed.
The effect of different petroleum-based fluids on ultrasonic signals was investigated to establish the practical boundaries for UT inspections under petroleum distillates. It was found that these fluids were highly attenuating, restricting the range for any UT inspection to the near field. The effect was particularly evident at high frequencies (above 15 MHz) for which near field is larger.
In tandem to the investigation into the effect of fluids was the development of an ATEX Zone 0 phased array ultrasonic transducer (PAUT) for incorporation with the TankRob robot.
The development of the PAUT plus the practical deployment of the TankRob robot in a representative environment are discussed.
