Eddy Current Heat Exchanger Inspection Services
Eddy current inspection services are nondestructive and highly effective for assessing the integrity and performance of heat exchangers in the power generation, HVAC, manufacturing, and petrochemical fields, as well as several others. As heat exchangers transfer heat between fluids to maintain optimal operational temperatures, their reliability is just as critical to maintaining business operations as it is to ensuring the safety of personnel. Heat exchanger tubes suffer from wear, corrosion, erosion, cracking, and other forms of degradation over time, compromising their efficiency and structural integrity. ATS’ eddy current inspection services provide a fast, accurate, and reliable solution for detecting these defects, and our NDI experts can create custom preventative maintenance plans to help avoid costly equipment failures in the future, all without causing any damage to your heat exchanger systems.
Eddy Current Heat Exchanger Inspection Process
Eddy current inspections are based on the principles of electromagnetic induction – when an alternating current flows through a coil, it generates a magnetic field, which induces eddy currents in the conductive material of the heat exchanger tubes. Any cracks, thinning, or corrosion in the tube’s material properties disrupt the flow of eddy currents, causing variations in the magnetic field. Our NDI technicians use specialized equipment to detect and analyze these variations, identifying the size, extent, and location of these defects. Eddy current heat exchanger inspections are particularly effective for non-ferromagnetic materials, such as copper, brass, stainless steel, and aluminum, which are commonly used in heat exchanger construction. The inspection process is typically performed by inserting an advanced probe with multiple sensors into the heat exchanger tubes, allowing the inspection of varying diameters and configurations of heat exchangers to provide comprehensive coverage and detection.
Eddy Current NDI Benefits
- Nondestructive
- Minimal Downtime
- Early Detection of Flaws
- Yields Quantitative Data
One of the key advantages of ATS’ heat exchanger inspection services is the ability to detect damage and flaws without requiring the heat exchanger to be disassembled or taken out of service for extended periods of time. This NDI method is an ideal choice for routine maintenance and preventative maintenance inspection programs aimed at minimizing downtime. Additionally, eddy current testing is highly sensitive to small defects, enabling the early identification of issues before they escalate into significant problems requiring expensive repairs. Eddy current heat exchanger inspection services also provide quantitative data on the condition of the tubes, with test results typically displayed in the form of signal waveforms that can be analyzed to determine the depth, length, and orientation of defects. This data can be used to assess the remaining wall thickness of the tubes, estimate their remaining service life, and make informed decisions about repair or replacement.
The NDI Experts at the ATS Family of Companies
With decades of experience providing comprehensive nondestructive testing and inspection services, the NDI experts at Applied Technical Services are committed to helping your business succeed. Give us a call at 1 (888) 287-5227 or submit a request form on this page for a free quote or additional information about our eddy current heat exchanger inspection services.
