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原位、非侵入式无损检测（NDT）方法，用于评估碳氢化合物和化学品储罐地板的完整性。该项目将提供一个能够对大型储罐进行现场无损检测的原型系统。储罐在其使用寿命中容易受到严重腐蚀，从而导致储存产品泄漏。目前的检查方法要求将储罐排干，并使其安全，以便人员进入进行检查，因此需要一种更快、成本更低、更安全的检查方法。其概念是创建一种新型的原位远程超声波检测（LRUT）设备，该设备可用于检测储罐而无需人工进入。LRUT技术先前已被证明是管道无损检测的理想解决方案，但要将其作为罐的原位测试方法，还需要进一步的应用研究。TIM项目将创建一个LRUT系统（电子、传感器、信号处理、数据采集/分析软件）和技术，可用于现场检查和诊断储罐地板（由平板组成）及其相邻焊缝的状况/完整性。在英国大约有40000个大型（直径50 - 100米）储罐，容量可达100万加仑。据估计，整个英国工业每年可节省6000万英镑。LRUT技术比现有的储罐地板测试方法具有相当大的优势，因为现有的储罐地板测试方法需要昂贵且耗时的清空/清洁储罐，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.