Non-Destructive Examination of Underground Pressure Vessels Using Acoustic Emission (AE) Techniques

Year 2017, , 1 - 8, 20.03.2017

Deniz Karaduman , Durmuş Ali Bircan , Ahmet Çetin

https://doi.org/10.26701/ems.320547

Cited By: 2

Abstract

The methodology of Acoustic Emission (AE) for
detecting and monitoring damages, cracks and leaks in different structures is
widely used and has earned a reputation recently as one of the most reliable
and well-established technique in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). Besides
evaluation of fracture behavior, crack propagation and fatigue detection in metals,
composites, wood, fiberglass, ceramics and plastics; it can also be used for
detecting faults and pressure leaks in pressure vessels, tanks and pipes.

As a relatively “clean”
form of energy, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is widely used for industrial
applications and domestic heating. Periodic inspection of buried tanks used for
LPG storage is complicated and limited because of their underground location.
This situation prevents “conventional” NDT techniques from being used. So, AE
testing which fulfills all safety requirements, is the most appropriate and
cost-effective technique that can be used for periodic inspection and proof
testing.

In addition of a
general presentation on the AE technology and its applications, this study provides
comprehensive evaluation of AE testing techniques of underground LPG tanks during service in accordance with TS EN standards. Some epresentative results
and data obtained from a performed AE test are also provided.

Keywords

Acoustic Emission (AE), Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), Underground LPG Tanks, In-Service Monitoring.

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