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

TIM项目的目标是开发一种增强的现场、非侵入性无损检测(NDT)方法，用于评估碳氢化合物和化学品储罐底板的完整性。该项目将交付一个能够对大型储罐进行现场无损检测的原型系统。储罐在使用过程中易发生严重腐蚀，导致储罐产品泄漏。目前的检测方法要求对油罐进行排水，并使之安全，以便人类进入检测，因此需要一种更快、更低成本和更安全的检测方法。其概念是创造一种新型的现场远程超声波检测(LRUT)设备，可以用于在没有人工进入的情况下检查储罐。LRUT技术已被证明是管道无损检测的理想解决方案，但要将其用作储罐的现场检测方法，还需要进一步的应用研究。TIM项目将创建LRUT系统(电子学、传感器、信号处理、数据采集/分析软件)和可在现场应用的技术，以检查和诊断储罐底板(由平板组成)及其相邻焊缝的状况/完整性。在英国大约有40,000个大型(直径50-100米)储罐，容量高达100万加仑。英国整个行业节省的资金估计为6000万GB/a。与现有的油罐底板测试方法相比，LRUT技术提供了相当大的优势，这些方法涉及昂贵且耗时的油罐清空/清洗，以便检查员可以安全进入。

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.