Development of In-Situ, Non-Invasive Monitoring of the Integrity of above ground Storage Tanks using Novel Long Range Ultrasonic Testing (LRUT) Techniques

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The objective of the TIM project is to develop an enhanced in-situ, non-invasive Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) method for assessing the integrity of hydrocarbon and chemical storage tank floors. The project will deliver a prototype system capable of in-situ NDT testing of large tanks. Storage tanks are prone to severe corrosion over their life that leads to leakage of the stored product. Current inspection methods require the tank to be drained and made safe for human entry for inspection therefore a faster, lower cost and safer method of inspection is needed. The concept is to create a novel in-situ Long Range Ultrasonic Testing (LRUT) device that can be used to inspect storage tanks without man entry. LRUT technology has been previously demonstrated to be the ideal solution for the NDT of pipes but further applied research is needed for it to be used as an in-situ method for the testing of tanks. The TIM project will create an LRUT system (electronics, sensors, signal processing, data acquisition/anaysis software) and techniques that can be applied in the field to inspect and diagnose the condition/integrity of tank floors (made up of flat plates) and their adjoining welds. There are some 40,000 large (diameters 50 - 100m) storage tanks in the UK, with capacities up to 1 million gallons. Overall UK industry savings are estimated at £60million pa. LRUT technology offers considerable advantages over existing test methods for tank floors, that involve the costly and time-consuming emptying/cleaning of the tank so that inspectors may enter safely.