Rotoscan

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Automated Ultrasonic Testing of Pipeline Girth Welds
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Pipeline Inspection with the Applus RTD ROTOSCAN system

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Applus RTD provides pipeline inspection with qualified operators and our own developed and a field-proven mec-
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hanized ultrasonic inspection system, the ROTOSCAN. The system is developed for the inspection of Girth Welds
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during construction of long-distance pipelines, both on- and offshore. Welding imperfections within the weld
and associated heat affected zone area are detected and measured, determining the circumferential length and
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the through-thickness dimension. The system can be configured with the use of conventional or Phased Array
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ultrasonic probes.
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Benefits
• No equipment inside the pipe
• Can accommodate all weld bevels or welding processes
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such as SMAW and GMAW
• 1Capable of inspecting welds at elevated temper-
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atures (up to 95°C)
• Immediate
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weld quality feedback during inspection and  & DSDEOHRILQVSHFWLQJZHOGVDWHOHYDWHG
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construction to reduce repair rates
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In comparison with radiography, it produces no radia-
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tion hazard or harmful chemical waste
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Substantial reduction of inspection time
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• Allows the use of ECA based acceptance criteria
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(Engineering Critical Assessment)
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In comparison with radiography, the inspection
result is significant less subjective
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Acceptance criteria can be adjusted to suit client
requirements
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Cost effective when used on long distance pipeline
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Welding and inspection can be carried out at the
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Inspection time is independent to pipe wall thick-
 :same location.
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scan VDPHORFDWLRQ April 2013

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52726&$ 19 $ SULO  

Rotoscan

Coverage The wall thickness range on which the system can

The ROTOSCAN can be equipped with 2 different types
of scanners in combination with 3 frame options to cov-
er a wide range of pipe diameters starting from 2” up
to 56” diameters.
* Micro scanner
Horse shoe frame: 2” – 6”
* Standard scanner
Adjustable frame 8” - 56”
Clamp shell frame: 6” - 12”
Applus RTD work according to all customary standards,
including ASTM 1961, API 1104 and DNV OS F101. Addit-
ionally Applus RTD qualified its system with DNV for pip-
eline projects with a wall thickness from 6 mm to 30 mm.
be applied varies between 6 and 45 mm.
Operating Principle
The Pipeline Girth Weld is divided into a number of
depth zones related to the wall thickness and weld
bevel configuration. Full weld inspection coverage
is achieved by placing the ultrasonic probes (on both
sides of the weld either Conventional or Phased
Array) such that each generated inspection function
or probe examines a dedicated depth zone within the
weld. The inspection time is approximately 5 minutes
depending on pipe circumference and used scanning
speed.

Rotoscan April 2013

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