A Technology and Innovation Geared for Solving FAC with Applus RTD Permanent Monitoring System

Authors : M. Karaoguz, R. Augustijn, C. Buque
Speaker : M. Karaoguz         

Company : Applus RTD

Country : Netherlands

Topic :

Flow Accelerated Corrosion Monitoring Tool

ABSTRACT :

There have been many pipe failures in power plants caused by Flow Accelerated Corrosion (FAC). This damage has led to catastrophic failures and fatalities in the past. A reliable solution for a continuous monitoring of the Wall Thickness Loss in high temperatures when exposed to the effect of flowing fluid is a strong requirement and the problem is still unresolved for the power industry due to lack of a permanent solution.

The Oil & Gas Sector is even looking for a more reliable solution in conjunction with value added information that can be used for quantitative monitoring of the degradation over time, whereby time can mean hourly or daily measurements of the wall thinning and the collected data can also be used in making engineering decisions for material re-design and reliably predicting the remaining life under prevailing circumstances.

Since FAC is a serious issue for all industry, Applus RTD has been involved in the investigation of phenomena for a number of years. Eventually, Applus RTD has developed an early warning system that continuously monitors corrosion/erosion accurately in high temperatures. The system introduced is a multi-channel ultrasonic equipment which is capable of recording thickness readings simultaneously from a number of channels. The proposed system provides repeatable & reliable measurements with an accuracy of 20 micrometers within a temperature range of -60 to 500C. This equipment is ready to use and will finally be installed on Shell & BP plants for in service & live inspection of erosion & corrosion. With this technology, Applus RTD is proposing a non-intrusive inspection system designed to provide a permanent resolution for the FAC problem.

Speaker Biographical Information

Meric Karaoguz recently joined Applus RTD Technology Center as a Project Manager. He graduated in 1999 from Drexel University, Philadelphia PA with a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering. He has worked on the NDT field since then and published several journal and conference publications in IEEE and Materials Evaluation. He was previously employed by GE Aircraft Engines, AGFA NDT Krautkramer ultrasonics and involved in the research and system development for various NDT applications.