Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT)

U-SONIX’s Automated Ultrasonic (AUT) inspection services are advanced, accurate, and effective techniques to monitor discontinuities over successive inspection intervals, calculate growth rates of discontinuities, and plan repair or replacement activities.

In the last several years, automated ultrasonic testing (AUT) has begun overtaking conventional radiography as the pipeline weld inspection method of choice throughout the world. Radiography has significant limitations: Not recommended for planar defects, no vertical sizing capability, safety issues, and environmental concerns.

AUT inspection supplies highly-accurate data as an important tool for implementing Risk Based Inspection (RBI) programs, Fitness-for-Service (FFS) Analysis, and remaining useful life programs. These advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) inspection techniques are also widely-used in capital projects, turnaround scheduling/planning, and shutdown/outage projects.

Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT) Inspection System to carry UT NDT welding inspection of girth welds during the construction of cross-country and long-distance pipelines. Developed for both onshore and offshore NDT pipeline inspection, the AUT weld inspection system can detect and measure welding imperfections within the weld and associated heat-affected zone, determining both the circumferential length and the through-thickness dimension. The system couples a low false-call rate (FCR) with flaw-sizing capabilities, a user-friendly presentation in colour using customised software and storage of results.

Merits of Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT)

• Higher probability of detection (POD) of critical linear anomalies
• Can accommodate all weld bevels or welding processes such as SMAW and GMAW
• Rapid interpretation of results
• Immediate weld-quality feedback during inspection and construction to reduce repair rates
• No radiation hazards
• No harmful chemical waste
• Substantiable reduction of inspection time
• Can be used with TOFD at the normal Rotoscan inspection speed
• Provides accurate flaw height, depth, length and type for ECA (engineering critical assessment) weld-acceptance criteria, which is something radiography cannot provide
• No equipment inside the pipe
• High-speed offshore pipeline inspections – up to 350 welds per day
• Inspection speeds of up to 80mm/sec (3”/sec)
• No delays or stoppages to adjacent pipeline workers
• Capable of inspecting welds at elevated temperatures (up to 95°C)
• Acceptance criteria can be adjusted to suit client requirements
• Cost effective when used in long-distance pipeline construction
• Welding and UT weld inspection can be carried out at the same location