TPT September 2014

Technology News

Flux leakage test for 500mm OCTG tube and pipe MAGNETIC Analysis Corporation

wall on the OD and ID, allowing pipe producers to meet critical API 5CT, 5L and ASTM E570 requirements. As the oil and gas industry has expanded in recent years with the development of new fields and extraction techniques, the demand for high quality tube and pipe that meets industry standards has grown dramatically. During the test, the pipe first passes through the multiplexed 48-channel Rotoflux TRFX transverse flux leakage rotary where it receives a high level of magnetic saturation, which creates intense magnetic flux flow within the material. Some of this flux extends or ‘leaks’ beyond the tube surface when interrupted by a surface or internal defect. This ‘leakage flux’ generates test signals that are detected by the test probes rotating around the pipe. The signals are wirelessly channelled to the Rotoflux test electronics for analysing, processing and data management, followed by display in real-time on screen. The pipe then passes through the multiplexed 24-channel Rotoflux LRFX longitudinal rotary to detect signals from longitudinally orientated seam type defects, followed by a demagnetiser to remove any residual magnetisation. A fully automated flaw tracking system with end suppression is used to control output sorting, alarm and marker functions. The 500mm system is designed to handle tube and pipe ranging in size from 125 to 500mm (5" to 19.6") with wall thickness of 6 to 40mm (0.23" to 1.57"), at speeds up to 60m/min (200 fpm), depending on the wall thickness of the test pipe. Straight or upset ends can be successfully tested. The testers are mounted on constant centre automated triple drive roll benches that adjust to align the testers and drives with the level of the incoming test material – an important requirement for accurate tests. MAC also has 190mm and 360mm model Rotoflux rotaries for smaller diameter tube.

demagnetiser design was implemented to meet the customer’s requirements. The 500mm system also features MAC’s latest wireless transmission of test signals between the rotating test probes and the stationary electronics, an improvement over traditional transmission by brushes and rings. The claimed results are superior performance, lower maintenance costs and downtime, and less noise. Flux leakage technology is suited to inspecting high-permeability ferromagnetic metals such as heavy wall carbon steel pipe used in the oil and gas industry. MAC’s Rotoflux is designed to detect seams, laps, pits, scabs, rolling skins, cracks, weld line defects, and transverse and longitudinal defects as small as 5 per cent of the

(MAC) has completed and successfully passed pre-acceptance for a new 500mm (19.6") transverse/longitudinal flux leakage Rotoflux ® test system that is destined for a new tube mill at a major OCTG producer in Russia. The 500mm size rotary is the largest diameter MAC has developed and it required new mechanical designs to provide for the greater magnetisation and detection capabilities, along with substantially new software. Initial assembly of the two flux leakage units was handled in MAC’s plant in Elmsford, New York, USA, with final assembly, adjustments and check out of the entire system taking place in MAC subsidiary Magnetic Analysis Nordic’s plant in Östersund, Sweden. A new

The Rotoflux transverse tester (centre) is temporarily moved out for ready access during maintenance operations

Seeking agents SINCE 1962, Guida Impianti has been producing slitting and packing lines for coils in a wide range: width from 500 to 2,200mm, thickness from 0.18 to 16mm, and coil weight up to 40 tons. The company’s customers are steel mills, tube mills and service centres such as Arcelor Mittal, Tata Corus, Outokumpu, Arvedi ATA, Ilva, Marcegaglia, SMS Demag, Axis Pipe Tube and PhYLM. Guida Impianti is currently looking for agents to expand its market in the USA and South America, especially Brazil.

Guida Impianti SpA – Italy Fax: +39 02 93797007 Email: sale.dept@guidaimpianti.com Website: www.guidaimpianti.com

Magnetic Analysis Corp – USA Fax: +1 914 703 3790 Email: info@mac-ndt.com Website: www.mac-ndt.com

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S eptember 2014