Specialty Service Inspections & Testing

Microwave inspection technology, traditionally used for examining plastic and composite materials, has undergone significant advancements in recent years. Developments in electronics, antennas, data analysis, and visual rendering software have enhanced its effectiveness, leading to increased global adoption. To keep up with these rapid technological evolutions, new codes and standards are being developed for widespread application. The latest methods have already started to be implemented in the field, featuring advanced data acquisition and analysis systems. These innovations enable the inspection of complex structures in both field and laboratory settings, making it feasible to conduct examinations that were previously impractical.

TECHNOLOGY & BENEFITS:

Our multi-frequency microwave inspection system is a product of innovation from Advanced Microwave Imaging. The core of this system lies in its use of Vector Network Analyzers (VNA), paired with custom-designed antennae, optimized for superior defect detection and accurate sizing. These antennae are engineered with broadband capabilities, enabling an extended frequency range that significantly boosts the likelihood of identifying defects. The combination of bespoke antenna and the VNA system is tailored to align seamlessly with the specific geometry, material properties, and inspection conditions, ensuring a highly efficient and precise inspection process.

APPLICATIONS:

• Butt Fusion Joint Inspections
• Electro Fusion Joint Inspections
• AE Verification of Fiberglass Tanks
• Composite Overlay Quality Inspections
• Multi-Layer HDPE/Fiber Wrap Pipe Inspections
• Ceramic Insulator Inspections for Power Transmission
• Wind Turbine Blades

By integrating multi-frequency microwave inspections into our already vast portfolio of inspection services, AIS is able to provide our clients with more comprehensive, reliable, and innovative inspection solutions. 

Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) is a non-destructive examination technique that embraces the physics of electromagnetic conductivity in test pieces and the non-electromagnetic conductive insulators that surround them to determine wall thickness in the test piece. This technology allows for investigation of thickness underneath coatings, insulation, concrete, fireproofing, and other non-conductive layers without the invasiveness or safety concerns of traditional NDE techniques.

Pulsed Eddy Current technology is widely employed across various sectors, including petrochemical, power production, and construction, for assessing wall thinning due to flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC), detecting corrosion under insulation, evaluating erosion corrosion, conducting safety tests, and fulfilling insurance requirements. This method offers a rapid, safe, and reliable alternative to more traditional inspection techniques, which often involve costly and time-consuming processes like removing insulation or coatings and preparing surfaces. PEC technology is not only safer than Radiography (RT), but also quicker than Ultrasonic Testing (UT).

TYPICAL COMPONENTS INSPECTED:

• Feedwater Heater Shells
• Heater Drain Piping 
• Boiler Finned Tubing 
• Service Water Lines 
• Chemical Storage Tanks 

APPLICATIONS:

• Pipe examination for flow accelerated corrosion (FAC) in power plants 
• Corrosion under insulation (CUI) for outdoor piping and process plants or petrochemical plants 
• Corrosion under insulation (CUI) on vessels or thickness variation on vessels 
• API and other safety related inspection protocols for thickness 
• Insurance compliance for pressure vessels in nuclear power
• Weld identification under insulation