Ultrasonic immersion System
NDT Introduction:- Non Destructive Testing (NDT), Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE) and Non Destructive Inspection (NDI) are the terms used to represent the techniques that are based on the application of physical principles employed for the purpose of determining the characteristics of materials or components and for detecting and assessing the inhomogeneities defects without destructing such materials or components.
Ultrasonic Immersion System
Contact: Mr.Kedar Satish Bhope
(kedar AT ipr.res.in)
Ph.No: +91-79-2396 4156/4420
Leaflets: Ultrasonic_Immersion_System
Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to achieve this, typically in the region of 0.1 - 35 MHz. In Immersion testing the object is immersed in water, the water acts as the couplant between the source of ultrasound and the material. D & FD (Divertor and First Wall Technology Development Division) uses two Ultrasonic Testing Facilities. Omniscan MX (Manufactured by Olympus) is used as Contact Ultrasonic Testing and this system combines with automated immersion system in which the ultrasonic probe is manipulated by a motion controller. Immersion testing offers the following advantages compared with the contact method: -
Water coupling eliminates the variability associated with contact coupling.
High frequencies, up to 35 MHz can be used.
High resolution Scan up to 0.1mm step for C-scan imaging.
Scanning Area 900mm x 700mm x 700mm. - 300mm Dia. Turntable Rotating Chuck
A 6-axis manipulator for maneuvering the probe head.
Horizontal IRIS to inspect PFC Monoblock assembly
The system shown in Figures has high frequency capability (25MHz), enabling extremely fine focusing. The pulser/receiver operate under the control of Tomoview software. This collects the entire waveform and enables the data to be presented in a variety of views (plan, cross-section, etc.). The probe manipulator has 2 degrees of freedom. Horizontal IRIS (Internal Rotary Inspection System) has been developed and which is being used to inspect a PFC Mock-up assembly of length 500mm to detect bonding defects. The tank can accommodate components that are up to 0.7m x 0.9m.
The system is equipped with a dedicated ultrasonic data analysis system (Tomoview), together with integral scanner controllers designed by Trotix Ltd. (IIT-Chennai).
A-Scan, B-scan and C-Scan outputs showing Artificial Defects in PFC
Phased Array (PA) inspection techniques for PFCs is being established using 16:128 channel PA module with suitable phased array probes. Some advantages of phased array technology such as Beam steering, Multi depth focusing and large area scanning in one scan are being utilized for C-scan imaging of PFCs and diverter structural joints which helps in drastic reduction of inspection time (from hours to few seconds) and improve the detection sensitivity up to 0.5 mm compared to that single crystal probe.
CIVA -UT simulation software
Non Destructive Testing is widely used to examine materials during the manufacturing or in process. In this context, simulation of NDT plays an increasing role for conceiving methods, demonstrating their performances at a low cost and so on. As simulation permits to master the parameters involved during an examination, it is a crucial factor to increase inspection reliability.
CIVA-UT is the simulation software for ultrasonic testing and CIVA has been developed by CEA (French Atomic Energy Commission).High Temperature Technologies Division (HTTD) has CIVA 10.1 which is the latest version of this software. This software has been applied to real ultrasonic testing. Simulation capabilities of this software include calculation of ultrasonic fields in different geometry of components, interaction between ultrasonic fields and flaws and calibration of defects such as spherical pores, side-drilled holes, flat-bottom holes etc. in isotropic or anisotropic Materials.
Divertor Components contained complicated geometry and ultrasonic testing of such components implies challenging task, CIVA-UT helps us to simulated testing of these components with possible parameters like selection of probes and testing procedure to obtained faithful inspection.
Snapshot of CIVA 10.1 for PFC Mock-up Testing