Storage tank floor scanner based on pulsed magnetic flux leakage

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This CRD grant proposal is centered on the design and development of a pulsed magnetic flux leakage (MFL) scanner, for the nondestructive evaluation of the steel floor of large outdoor storage tanks. These tanks may have an area of thousands of square meters, and any leakage of their contents into the surrounding soil or groundwater can pose a significant environmental hazard. We propose to implement an extension to traditional MFL systems that has been tried in a small number of laboratory experiments: use a "pulsed" system powered by electromagnets instead of a time-invariant system that uses permanent magnets.Extensive modeling will be required in order to find the optimal configuration for the new type of floor scanner. Based on initial predictions and experiments, use of a pulsed system will greatly enhance the user's ability to find the location of any corrosion on the floor plates (inside surface of the tank, or outside), and also help to make the system viable for the inspection of tank floors with a protective coating up to several mm thick.The industrial customer, Laboratoire d'essai Mequaltech (Montreal QC) sees great potential of the new system for meeting the inspection requirements of many of its industrial customers, both in Canada and internationally. The scanner will also help to protect the environment, by giving advance warning if corrosion threatens a tank's integrity.