Effectiveness of Dynamic Response Spectroscopy and Microwave Inspection Technology for Substrate Pipe and Composite Wraps

This paper discusses in depth the technical differentiations of the Direct Response Spectroscopy (DRS) and Microwave (MW) system along with its capabilities of inspecting through various hard to inspect coatings and wraps, making the DRS and MW combo an ideal inspection technique. As with every technology, the limitations of the DRS and MW systems will also be covered to give an unbiased view in the technology selection. This paper will also course through the successful trial at one of PETRONAS operating onshore plants with the detailed result presentation concluding with the efficiency and cost effectiveness of employing the DRS and MW for inspection of composite wraps. The DRS and MW systems, both proprietary technologies developed by Sonomatic, are used in combination to assess the integrity of pipes and pipelines under composite overwrap repairs. These Non-Destructive Testing technique. are robust, reliable and possess the ability to inspect composite overwrap repairs and the piping substrate while online. The DRS is essentially an ultrasonic corrosion mapping technique that Measures steel WT with ±0.5 mm accuracy and identifies flaws in composite materials. It is engineered to excite the steel with low ultrasonic frequencies where conventional high frequency ultrasound could not penetrate. The MW measures depth of flaws in the wrapping materials identified by DRS inspection. It operates on very low power and is excellent on the inspection of non-conductive material.