Eddy Current Testing (ECT, including Eddy Current Array): Tube Inspections for Reliable Heat Exchangers
KAOTHEEM uses ECT (including Eddy Current Array) to detect pits, corrosion, erosion, cracking, and others, in stainless steels, brass, titanium, Inconel, copper, copper-nickel, and other non-ferrous tubes. This fast, accurate inspection technique has identified the flaws shown below.
INSPECTION PREPARATION
The tubes must be free of obstructions. However, the cleaning required is minimal.
ADVANTAGES
- This technique is fast with up to 4 ft/s pulling speed through tubes.
- Couplants are not needed. Consequently, contaminants are not introduced during the inspection.
- The technique identifies large and small volume pits.
- 100% of the surface of the tubes is inspected, with 360º coverage through the length. All the data is stored for review.
LIMITATIONS
- With a traditional bobbin coil, circumferential cracks can be missed due to no disturbance in the flow of eddy currents.
- Ferromagnetic deposits on the tubes will lead to erroneous assessments.
- The probe needs a minimum 80% fill factor for maximum sensitivity to defects.
- The technique has a ± 10% variance in call accuracy assessments.
Eddy Current Testing (ECT, including Eddy Current Array): Tube Inspections for Reliable Heat Exchangers