How NDT Is Used In the Petrochemical Industry

by Deepak Kumar Thakur Digital Marketer

HDPE stands for high-pressure polyethylene, an extremely popular material used in the petrochemical industry to make polyvinyl chloride pipe in the petrochemical industry and other industrial applications. The material is highly valued because of its corrosive and chemical-resistant properties. PVC's high temperature and cold forming properties and resistance to corrosion make it ideal for piping used in the petrochemical industry and other applications. There are several advantages to using high-pressure polyethylene. The key benefit of this does not deteriorate as quickly as other materials. As a result, it can be used over long durations.

It is typically required for all new piping in the petrochemical industry to undergo NDT inspections. NDT or non-metallic plating is a term used to describe tests conducted by the National Tanker Safety Board to assess pipeline hydrostatic testing to extreme temperatures. It is performed to ensure that piping will withstand the pressures necessary to support the controlled flow of liquids. This is also used for NDT inspections on pressure vessels and other components that will potentially contain flammable or combustible elements.

In addition to determining the resistance of piping to temperature and conditions, NDT is also used for defects in piping systems. If one part of the piping system develops a crack or other flaw, it indicates other issues. For instance, if numerous small trials are located along a four-foot section of piping, this could show a crack originating in that same area. In addition to defects, if the NDT inspectors find weld points are present where metal is hot more than 300 degrees F, this may indicate hot weld regions.

There are several ways in which NDT can be employed within the petrochemical industry to detect potential defects and correct problems before they develop into more significant issues. For instance, if welds are hot but not hot enough to cause a crack, these areas are most likely to contain potential flaws. Similarly, if a small amount of carbon steel pipes have weld points that are hot but not hot enough to cause a problem, they likely have no flaw. Thus, NDT is often employed before pipeline hydrostatic testing is subjected to conditions where cracking or other possible damage.

Another way that NDT can be used within the petrochemical industry is for pre-shipment inspection. In this case, engineers and technicians reviewing the product before shipping will be using NDT to determine the item's overall condition. For instance, if a shipment contains shavings or sawdust from cutting, these materials will need to be removed. Removing these excess materials is known as lapping, and NDT is used for this purpose. In addition, once the lumber has been de-mineralized, NDT can be used to map out any defects that would affect how the item would degrade once shipped.

Ultrasonic testing is another way in which NDT can be utilized in the oil and gas industry. The application of ultrasonic technology is relatively new in the petrochemical industry but has had great success as an inspection tool. Ultrasonic testing uses sound waves to identify mechanical flaws in piping designs. Pipes are designed using one or more conical shapes, and when these piping designs are subjected to varying levels of ultrasonic sound, their bending stiffness increases. By monitoring the changes in pipe bending stiffness, engineers and technicians can determine piping problems before these mechanical problems begin to deteriorate over time.

As technology continues to advance, so too does the use of NDT techniques. Engineers and technicians are now exploring advanced techniques such as ultrafiltration for improved accuracy. In addition, more sophisticated ultrasonic pipeline hydrostatic testing methods are being developed to address the issues that face many industries when it comes to determining piping conditions. These advanced methods are becoming a part of the petrochemical industry as engineers incorporate them into their quality management systems.

Oil and gas manufacturers and another pipeline hydrostatic testing and manufacturing companies rely heavily on advanced technology to provide proper operations. As a result, these companies must take every step necessary in ensuring that they are adequately protecting their investment. With the use of ultrasonic inspection and other NDT techniques, this is easily accomplished. Industry representatives are urged to speak with qualified personnel from a company specializing in ultrasonic testing to determine which testing methods will best suit their needs. These individuals will also recommend a trusted consulting service that can help these companies ensure that their needs are met.