Tank and Plate Inspection

Tank floor Inspection has always been a logistical nightmare. Tuboscope has recently designed a new tools which over-comes the problems of Spot Ultrasonic Inspection techniques currently employed.

The Floor Inspection Tool (FIT) utilizes an active Electro-Magnet to saturate the tank floor plates. Transducers fixed near the floor detect and measure the magnetic leakage field at the surface. Corrosion causes changes in the flux levels. The FIT digitises the signal response from the Transducers and constructs real-time color coded maps of the tank floor plates and any corrosion detected.

Plates upto 0.5" (6 mm) thick can be inspected. This also allows older tanks in service with FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) coating on the interior can be inspected. Previously before the FIT was developed , it was impossible to test through this coating which would be from 0.1" - 0.5" (2.5mm - 12.5mm) thick. But with the FIT , plates can be inspected through thick non-metallic coatings.

The FIT tools has numerous advantages such as listed below :

System is mobile and operates from a Trailer.

Provides a map of the Tank floor showing Flaw areas graded to four conditions of severity.

Detects both top side and bottom side indications simultaneously.

Inspection process requires no couplant.

Economical tool that can be used to comply with API 653 and API RP 575.

The FIT tools also has a robotic scanner 'Beetle' which can automatically scale the verticle walls of the tank enabling rapid inspection of the complete tank. Typical inspection speeds approch a rate of 10,000 square feet per day.

To find out how to effectively inspect your Tanks and Plates contact Tuboscope , Indonesia .