Non-Destructive Testing Services in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
Turnaround or Outage Support
Every year in the Energy and Refinery industry have their planned and or unplanned outages. Typically planned for the spring or fall. The plant will shut down typically for a week to 4 weeks for maintenance. These outages require a number of skilled workers to accomplish the planned work. Typically working around the clock to accomplish this work. These tasks can include replacing equipment, valves, pumps, and piping. They may also overhaul the equipment or overlay the piping or shells to help with corrosion. Integrity Testlabs has the staff to support the needs of the mechanical contractors or the owner operators. We can provide RT, UT, MT, PT and QC/QA support.
Traditional Film, Computed Radiography and Digital radiography in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
Integrity Testlabs currently utilizes traditional film and computed radiography (CR) film. Traditional film is still loaded under safe lights and developed using a 5-step process in the back our darkrooms. Once dry, the filmed in viewed under a high intensity viewer looking for defects. Traditional film comes in several different sizes and leaves the client with a physical piece of film to view for years to come. Computer Radiography or CR uses plates that are phosphor. When these plates are exposed to radiation, the plates emit a blue light that is interpreted by the film processor and then transmitted into an image and viewed on the computer screen. This process is efficient and plates can be used multiple times, no chemicals are needed to process the film. Digital radiography is newer to the industrial and keeps gaining popularity each year. Limited in film size and mobility. The biggest advantage is shorter x-ray times, less radiation, wire or wireless capabilities, and instant images that are displayed on the computer screen.
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD Magnetic Particle Testing (MT)
If you’re looking for a very mobile, reliable and cost-effective method at finding surface and subsurface discontinuities. MT testing is the way to go on your ferrous material. When the magnetic field is disrupted by a break in the north and south poles the fine iron particles are attracted to the break in the magnetic field. Dry or wet inspections can be very useful with dry being the advantage when parts are to hot to use the wet method. ITL has many certified MT technicians to perform inspections on your welds or parts.
Aberdeen Proving Ground Drone Inspection
Using drones is quickly becoming a common inspection method. The biggest attraction is offering a safe way to inspect confined spaces and inspected areas high in the air. With todays advanced cameras they are capable of doing a very good visual inspection. Some drones offer infrared capabilities. This allows the operator to look for hot or cold spots on equipment, structures or solar panels. Smaller drones make for good options to investigate or inspect confined spaces. Larger drones are capable of using or deploying Ultrasonics to perform thickness readings on hard to reach places. To use a drone for commercial purposes the operator must have a FAA license.
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD API 580
API 580 was developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) in 2002. It is primarily adopted in oil and chemical refineries for developing programs to track and maintain inspections in keys areas of the piping or equipment that is affected by the process it contains. API 580 is program will keep workers and communities safe from releases or catastrophic failures. Integrity Testlabs has provided support for API 580 by providing Radiographic inspections and Ultrasonic Thickness inspections on piping, shells of exchangers, towers and drums. Radiography provides an actual imagine of the corrosion that is occurring and UT grids can provide a visual by numbers on where wall loss is happening.
API 570
The American Petroleum Institute (API) 570 is a in-service inspection code. Designed for the natural gas, chemical and oil refineries piping systems to prevent failures before they happen. This code covers inspection, rating, repair, and alteration procedures for applicable piping systems. This code applies to metallic and fiberglass-reinforced plastic piping systems, also pressure-relieving devices associated with the systems. Inspectors are tasked with ensuring compliance with this code is followed. Integrity Testlabs has in-house and contract API 570’s to cover any needs that fall under the API 570.
