Wall thickness
Ultrasonic measurement of wall thickness has conventionally been carried out manually by use of a suitable ultrasonic transducer and a measuring instrument—in most cases a basic probe utilizing a simple contact transducer to determine the thickness of the pipeline wall at a specific spot. This method usually yields a typical accuracy in the range of plus or minus 0.1 to 0.2 mm, depending on the skill of the operator.
The Ultramonit™ technology is capable of measuring changes in the wall thickness with greater accuracy, thus avoiding the uncertainty caused by inadequate instruments or unskilled operators. Wall thickness can be measured to a very high accuracy by repeating measurements at the same spot over time with permanently installed instrumentation.
Resolution of such high quality and accuracy has been made possible by careful refinement of our equipment, production and technology, with notable innovations in the following areas:
- Signal processing
- Electronics with high signal to noise ratios
- Optimum placement of transducers relative to the pipewall
- Electronics and transducers capable of operating in seawater at great depth and in high temperature
- Temperature compensation capability: the system is able to adjust to variations in the speed of sound caused by temperature variations in the medium (seawater or steel)
Corrosion monitoring of existing subsea pipelines
The Ultramonit system is particularly valuable in offshore fields that have been in operation for a considerable time. Improved exploration and production methods have extended the viability of many fields, allowing operators to continue production longer than was originally anticipated. This has meant that pipeline systems have often exceeded their original design life of 20 to 25 years. The older the system, the more important control and knowledge of internal pipeline corrosion and integrity management become. The Ultramonit system allows operators to continue using older systems in confidence, safe in the knowledge that problems can be detected before they become critical.
- Trondheim +47 73 53 80 50 mail@sensorlink.no
- Stavanger +47 913 01 013 mail@sensorlink.no
- Houston +1 713 595 6380 mail@sensorlink.no
