Ultrasonic NDT Case Study

Ultrasonic Inspection of a Flare Stack.

Here at Sutro Group, we utilise multi-disciplined technicians to undertake a variety of solutions at height. The images below show our NDT Inspection engineers using rope access to perform an ultrasonic inspection of an onsite flare stack. On industrial plants, flare stacks are used for burning off flammable gas that is released by safety valves.

Ultrasonic non-destructive testing uses high-frequency sound waves to detect cracks or other hidden internal flaws in the steel structure. Ultrasonic NDT is completely non-destructive and the tests are highly reliable. Measurements can be taken quickly and easily without the need to access the inside of the structure.

Performing Ultrasonic (UT) inspection at designated cardinal points around the asset allows the asset owner to assess the degradation of material over time.

Coupled with a visual inspection and a periodic flange bolt change-out, rope access offered the most favoured work positioning solution.

Following the inspection, we produced an asset report and presented it to the client both in hard copy and via a dedicated conferencing platform to ensure clarity with regards to any asset defects.

Ultrasonic flaw detection is used widely to assess the safety and quality of structural welds, wind turbines, railway tracks, heavy machinery and a wide variety of other applications.