Tomographical Computer Aided Radiology (TomoCAR) is based on the mechanical position control of
an X-ray tube in front of a welding seam and the application of a planar array detector behind it. Several hundred
radiometric projections in small angle steps are acquired. The tomographical reconstruction allows the three-dimensional
(3D) representation of the defects. A new radiometric array detector system with a small internal
unsharpness and high image contrast is used for the 2- and 3-dimensional visualization and sizing of planar defects
with a defect opening of less than 100 µm. This detector is based on a CMOS-flat panel with a direct converting
CdTe-single crystal layer. The small design allows the application of the mobile testing equipment for mechanized
X-ray inspection in industrial plants. The physical pixel size of the detector amounts to 0,1x0,1 mm². Nevertheless,
this system yields a better spatial resolution than indirect converting detectors (e.g. cameras with fluorescence
layers of Gd2O2S). It allows the reliable detection of planar defects with openings far below the detector pixel size
by subpixel resolution.
'TomoCAR' is qualified at present in the context with a German pilot study following to the ENIQ guidelines for
the employment within the nuclear power industry.
Die radiografische Bildqualität in ihrer klassischen Definition hängt von Kontrast, Rauschen und Unschärfe ab. Diese Parameter werden normalerweise mit Bildgüteprüfkörpern (BPK) bestimmt. Die Streustrahlung reduziert im Allgemeinen immer die Bildqualität in der Radiografie. Verschiedene Einflussgrößen werden unter Berücksichtigung von Techniken, wie Film-Radiografie, Computer-Radiografie mit Speicherfolien und digitale Radiographie mit Matrixdetektoren, analysiert. In Lehrbüchern und Standards werden das Streuverhältnis k und verschiedene Kontraste definiert. Für digitale Medien werden zusätzliche Parameter wie das Signal-Rausch-Verhältnis SNR und das Kontrast-Rausch-Verhältnis CNR eingeführt. In diesem Zusammenhang wird der Einfluss der Streustrahlung aus dem Messobjekt und dem Detektor bestehend aus Kassette bzw. Gehäuse und sensitiver Detektorschicht auf die Bildqualität ermittelt. Die numerische Modellierung wird eingesetzt, um die Streustrahlung und die Primärstrahlung aus dem Objekt separat zu bestimmen. Die Streustrahlung aus dem Objekt und Detektor erzeugen eine Abbildung des Objektes, die dem Primärstrahlungsbild überlagert ist, wobei das Streubild eine höhere Unschärfe aufweist. Dieser Effekt hängt von der Fehlergröße, dem Abstand zwischen Detektor und Objekt und der Zwischenfilterung ab.
The aim of this work is to evaluate the feasibility of the direct radiography on weld
inspection in oil pipelines and gas pipeline during the manufacturing process. To that, 6 specimens
with 6 different thickness and varied height of reinforced weld with 5 different kinds of defects
were made. All samples were radiographied using Class I films and flat panel. For all specimens the
inspection length was 8''. Thus, with the flat panel the detector-to-object distance varied so that it
may adequate to several diameters of the tubes.
The detector-to-object distance was calculated based on the physical size of the detector
taking into consideration a safe distance between the tube curvature and the flat panel extremities,
keeping the lowest possible magnification factor so that it could be obtained the length of the
inspection. Images with 6 integration time for each experimental arrangement were obtained.
The images obtained with the Flat Panel/YXLON system were analyzed according to their
quality by using the Contrast parameters (essential wire) (DNV 2007/ IS0 12096 with
reinforcement and ISO 10893-7 basis material), Basic Spatial Resolution BSR (ISO 10893-7)
and normalized signal-to-noise ratio - SNRN (ISO 10893-7) and by detectability using as reference
the conventional radiography.
The results showed that for all thickness, the exposure time used to meet the image quality
requirements were below with direct radiography. However the BSR were not reached for thickness
of 4.85, 6.40 and 9.67 mm, therefore the compensation principle established by ISO 10893-7 was
considered, that is, one more contrast wire for a less wire pair.
The digital technique proved to be more sensitive to real defects found on welds than the
conventional technique. Then it can be conclude that the digital radiography utilizing the flat panel
can be applicable to the oil and gas segment with advantages over conventional technique as to
quality aspects, productivity, environment, safety and health.
Digital radiography in the inspection of welded pipes to be installed under deep water offshore gas and oil pipelines, like a presalt in Brazil, in the paper has been investigated. The aim is to use digital radiography for nondestructive testing of welds as it is already in use in the medical, aerospace, security, automotive, and petrochemical sectors. Among the current options, the DDA (Digital Detector Array) is considered as one of the best solutions to replace industrial films, as well as to increase the sensitivity to reduce the inspection cycle time. This paper shows the results of this new technique, comparing it to radiography with industrial films systems. In this paper, 20 test specimens of longitudinal welded pipe joints, specially prepared with artificial defects like cracks, lack of fusion, lack of penetration, and porosities and slag inclusions with varying dimensions and in 06 different base metal wall thicknesses, were tested and a comparison of the techniques was made. These experiments verified the purposed rules for parameter definitions and selections to control the required digital radiographic image quality as described in the draft international standard ISO/DIS 10893-7. This draft is first standard establishing the parameters for digital radiography on weld seam of welded steel pipes for pressure purposes to be used on gas and oil pipelines.