Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)

Ensuring Asset Integrity with Precision: Explore Hatch’s Advanced Non-Destructive Testing Services

Challenges

Keeping mechanical and structural assets in good working order is a constant challenge in metallurgical, energy, and infrastructure industries. Assets eventually deteriorate or become damaged during operations and must be retrofitted or replaced. Comprehensive inspection and monitoring techniques are needed to extend the service life of mechanical and structural assets and optimize maintenance schedules and productivity.

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques and monitoring systems can be used to assess the condition and deterioration of mechanical and structural assets without intrusive instrumentation or damage to the assets. In many cases, NDT techniques can be applied without disrupting normal operations.

NDT has a wide range of benefits, including accident prevention, facilitation of maintenance planning, and optimization of efficiency and profitability. When applied regularly, NDT contributes to safer, more reliable assets, and greater profits for the companies that own the assets.

Acousto Ultrasonic-Echo (AU-E)

This Hatch-patented technique measures the thickness and condition of refractory linings in operational metallurgical process vessels. AU-E can be performed during vessel operation without disrupting the production schedule. It can detect refractory conditions such as remaining thickness, build-up thickness, and chemical alterations such as metal impregnation, metal penetration, hydration, and oxidation. Periodic AU-E measurements can assist the planning of repair and optimize refractory lining campaigns. It can also be used for determining the salamander tapping location of blast furnaces.

Radar feed-level measurement

This automatic feed level measurement system was developed by our experts based on electromagnetic waves. The patented system can accurately and continuously measure the top level of the concentrate or feed bank in metallurgical furnaces. Real-time feed-level measurement allows furnace operators to optimize the smelting process, reduce energy consumption, prevent premature damages of the furnace roof, and thus, can reduce maintenance costs, reduce furnace downtime, and increase profitability.

Conventional NDT

We also perform conventional NDT, including ground penetrating radar, impact echo, infrared thermography, magnetic particle inspection, ultrasonic inspection, and liquid penetrant inspection, as well as structural health monitoring by acoustic emission technique. Our conventional NDT services are applicable to any infrastructure, including industrial assets, bridges, building, nuclear power plants, hydropower plants, oil and gas infrastructure, pipelines, metallurgical vessels, and assets. We customize solutions to suit site conditions and client requirements. Contact us for more details and let us assist you on customizing a solution that is right for you.

I. Ground penetrating radar (GPR):

This Hatch-patented system monitors directional drilling, lancing, and tapping operations in metallurgical furnaces. TAM detects and locates acoustic emissions during these operations. Any directional lancing, and uneven wear of the taphole refractory lining is mapped as significant AE activities in real-time to provide the condition assessment of the tapholes. TAM can be used to enhance safe operation of tapblocks and optimize taphole campaign life. 

Hatch tailor-made a GPR system for the inspection of sewer pipes.

II. Infrared thermography:

For more detail condition assessments, we often use a few NDT techniques to narrow down the problematic areas, verify the findings and increase the certainty of the test results. Infrared thermography is often selected as a tool for this purpose.