Advanced
André Lamarre and Andréanne Potvin,
Olympus, USA,
explain why new
ultrasonic techniques are contributing
significantly to the integrity of CRA-clad
pipeline.
D
uring pipeline construction in the field, automated ultrasonic testing is used
to inspect carbon steel girth welds with high accuracy, offering significant
advantages over radiography. CRA-clad pipelines are increasingly used for
the transport of hot and corrosive materials because of the higher resistance
to corrosion provided by the corrosion resistant alloys (CRA). However, the layer of
protection that these alloys provide also impedes effective ultrasonic inspection of
dissimilar girth welds in the pipeline. The industry has been searching for a simple and
reliable solution to this particular challenge.
INSPECTION
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