What are guided wave systems?

  • Guided wave systems are a fairly new technology that can be used to inspect pipelines by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves within the pipe wall.
  • Guided wave systems use ultrasonic frequencies (10-250kHz) in order to inspect large lengths of pipe from a single location.
  • Guided wave technology can be utilized to identify disparities within a given structure.
  • Guided wave systems have been utilized to analyze many different types of structures including heat exchanger tubing, anchor rods, non-piggable pipelines, suspension bridge cables, and boiler tubes.

The MSS System

  • Non-destructive pipeline analysis using the MSS guided wave system can assess the structural integrity of your pipelines using long range ultrasonic guided waves.
  • Modern technology and skilled technicians provide comprehensive reports to help you design mitigation programs.
  • Quickly and thoroughly examine extensive lengths of pipe.
  • The Magnetostrictive Sensor System (MsS) is developed at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio Texas.
  • The MsS system is a tool that generates and receives low or high frequency guided waves using electromagnetic pulses.
  • The guided wave pulses reflect off of anomalous changes in the structure and are recorded by the MsS system.
  • The MsS system is based on magnetostrictive effects using ferromagnetic strips (FeCo) to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves.
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MSS capabilities

  • The MSS system can inspect and monitor pipelines having a diameter of 0.25 to 80 inch OD.
  • The total cross sectional wall along the pipe is inspected.
  • Ability to detect defects in above-ground, buried, and insulated pipe.
  • Sensitivity can be as good as 1% cross sectional area loss in good pipe.
  • MsS probes can be permanently or temporarily attached to the pipe.
  • MsS Probes cover the entire circumference (360 degrees) of the pipe providing for excellent direction control and zero near field length.
  • Probes have less than 1 ft dead zone.
  • Pipe at extreme temperatures, 300 degrees C, can be inspected.
Ultrasonic Guided Wave LLC benefits from being able to conduct ECDA and ICDA pipeline assessments simultaneously by using the MsS guided wave system.

ECDA - External Corrosion Direct Assessment
  • Ultrasonic Guided Wave LLC will be able to assess the external integrity of pipe by direct examination following excavation as well as indirect examination utilizing the MsS guided wave system.
ICDA - Internal Corrosion Direct Assessment
  • The Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods employed by Ultrasonic Guided Wave LLC will be able to assess the internal integrity of pipelines. We provide reports based on data collected by the MsS system that will identify areas of corrosion/cracking and help to develop future mitigation techniques.

What are the benefits over traditional Ultrasonic (UT) Testing?

  • Conventional ultrasonic testing (UT) uses bulk waves typically at high frequency to inspect a small area of pipe directly beneath the probe.
  • Guided waves use both high and low frequencies to inspect large lengths of pipe from one location.
  • This means that by exposing one area of pipe, you can inspect large areas of the pipeline.
  • Excavating fewer holes saves time and money.
  • We can permanently install our probes and inspect pipe without having to re-expose or re-excavate.

Why the mss system?

Other piezoelectric probes can generate flexural waves due to unbalanced probes, localized corrosion inside or outside of the pipe, or bad contacts. These flexural waves can create noise in the final data.
  • The MsS system generates much less flexural waves, providing more reliable data.
Other piezoelectric probes have a near field length which requires that the waves reach a certain distance along the pipe before the entire circumference of the pipe is inspected.
  • The MsS system has no near field length and a short dead zone due to the circumferential coverage that the probe has around the pipe.
Other piezoelectric probe systems typically lack good direction control due to issues with balanced probes or probe contacts.
  • The MsS system has good direction control due to the 360 degree continuous coverage with the FeCO strip versus spaced transducer coverage with other piezoelectric systems.

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