A robust ultrasonic testing bridge ECHOGRAPH RPTR PAUT was developed for our customer ARTROM for full volume and extended oblique flaw detection using ECHOGRAPH phased array electronics.
After successful pre-acceptance last summer, the testing system was delivered to Romania. After completion of the foundation in September 2021, installation took place at the customer‘s site and was completed on schedule. Special attention had to be paid to the alignment of the test bridge and the rotary roller stations to each other. Any inaccuracy could otherwise limit the ultrasound performance. After alignment, the individual rotary roller stations, the pipe stopper and the supports of the bridge were
grouted.
Afterwards, the electrical and electronic components were connected and extensively tested. The objective was to achieve a high degree of automation for the entire system, including automatic transfer of the pipe parameters and individual pipe traceability, as well as an optimised test cycle time in conjunction with the infeed and outfeed conveyors.
Currently, the customer is being trained on the advanced testing system and preparations are being made for the acceptance tests. In May, the first customer orders are to be run with the new testing system.
The advanced ECHOGRAPH RPTR PAUT system meets the most demanding requirements for
volume and surface inspection of seamless pipes.
Current and ambitious industry standards, such as API-5CT/-5L, are covered as well as the more demanding inspection requirements for complete detection of oblique defects up to 75° inthick-walled tubes. A new probe holder design for quick coupling and extended inspection modes, such as parallel shots, enables maximum productivity. The key features of the ECHOGRAPH RPTR PAUT system are:

• Inspection tasks: Detection of longitudinal, transverse and oblique defects (orientation between 0° and 75°) on the external and internal pipe wall as well as wall thickness deviations and volume defects in seamless pipes with normal and large wall thicknesses up to 60 mm.
• Robust and reliable design, suitable for harsh steel mill environments. Very short coupling times by using a novel and advanced probe holder concept.
• Designed to achieve the highest productivity when testing seamless pipes with straight and uncut pipe ends.
• State-of-the-art ECHOGRAPH PAUT test electronics with 944 parallel phased array channels for the application of advanced test techniques such as parallel firing of the probes and parallel evaluation of multiple reception angles.
• ECHOVIEW software for fast data evaluation and management, and communication with the data processing and pipe tracking system of the client.
• Fulfilment of the testing requirements of the highest standards in the oil and gas industry such as API-5CT, API-5L, Chevron, etc.