Gas Transmission and Supply Technologies
Background
EF welding is the most generally used method for joining PE pipes. At present, self-checking by means of controllers, visual inspection of joints, inspection by use of indicators, and air-tightness tests are conducted during and after EF welding processes. Among these inspections, only the air-tightness test is employed as a method for checking the joint performance, while the other inspections such as visual inspection of joints and inspection by use of indicators are used to check whether or not the energy required for welding the joint has been supplied properly. Osaka Gas has conducted sampling inspections of pipe joints by excavation to ensure absolute perfection (as a measure to achieve higher safety). Because sampling of welded pipe joints necessitates their destruction, sampling inspections involving excavation of pipes and subsequent inspections are highly expensive. To resolve this problem, Osaka Gas has developed an ultrasonic inspection system that can inspect the deposited metal zones of EF-joints in the field "immediately after welding," "without destructing," "easily," and "in a short time."
Applications
This ultrasonic inspection system is applied as a means for inspecting the quality of EF-joints of PE pipes.
- Applicable nominal diameters and joints: All EF joints (including sockets, saddles, elbows, caps, tees, and reducers)
- Detectable defects: Air bubbles changed from moisture in mud and water, inclusion of grease and other foreign substances
Outstanding features
- Inspection results are displayed on a screen, allowing easy inspection of welded joints.
- Inspection results are immediately displayed, allowing timesaving field inspection.
- Inspection data can be stored in memory, effectuating a single unit of system to cover each field inspection.
- Compact and lightweight design improved portability of the system.
Inspection result
Distributor
Osaka Gas Engineering Co., Ltd
