Pulsed Eddie Current Through Fireproofing
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TommyPulsed Eddie Current Through Fireproofing
Uploaded by
TommyPulsed Eddy Current for detection of
corrosion under passive fire protection
Problem What is PEC?
Failures due to corrosion under passive fire PEC is an inspection technique for measuring the
protection can occur when visual signs for the thickness of steel objects, such as pipes and
degradation of the steel are not recognised or vessels, without the need for contact with the steel
ignored. surface. PEC uses a pulsed magnetic field to
measure wall thickness.
PEC has the following benefits for downstream
inspection:
• No interference in production. PEC can be
applied in-service, no need to empty the
storage spheres.
• No need to remove the Passive Fire
Protection. PEC can measure through up-to
250mm PFP including the reinforcement.
Figure 1: Collapsed sphere as results of corrosion of its
supporting legs under passive fire protection
Cause in a nutshell
Degradation often starts when water penetrates the
interface between the metal and the fireproofing
due to a problem with the sealing at the top. The
created corrosion products may result in an internal
pressure on the fireproofing causing it to crack. The
consequence is more water ingress and accelerated
corrosion.
Inspection approach
Shell Global Solutions have developed an inspection
approach to check for corrosion under Passive Fire
Protection. The approach consists of a detailed Figure 2: Wide open cracks in skirt of column as a
visual inspection to look for signs of degradation result of corrosion.
and of Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) inspection to
measure the wall thickness of the metal underneath
the fireproofing.
1
Implementation
A dedicated jig has been developed to enable
safe, fast and accurate data collection on the legs
of gas storage spheres.
How PEC works
The basic principle of PEC is shown in the diagram
below. A PEC probe is placed above the
measurement position. An electrical current is then
introduced in the transmitter coil, which magnetises
the steel beneath the probe. Subsequently, the
Figure 3: PEC inspection of a storage sphere leg.
current is switched-off, causing the steel to de-
magnetise. The sudden change in magnetic field
strength generates eddy currents in the steel, which
diffuse inwards from the steel surface, decaying in
strength as they propagate. The induced field of
these decaying eddy currents is detected by a set
of receiver coils in the PEC probe, and the signal
detected related to wall thickness.
PEC wall thickness is an average over the area of
the probe’s ‘footprint’, i.e. a roughly circular area
where eddy currents flow. In practice, this means
that PEC is well suited for measuring general wall
loss, but not for detecting very localised damage,
such as isolated pitting.
PEC probe
Fireproofing
Magnetic field
Steel
Figure 4: PEC can also be used to inspect column skirts through
fireproofing bricks. The photograph shows data
collection with a PEC probe mounted on a pole. Figure 5: Basic principle of PEC.
For further information please contact Maarten Lorenz at
Shell Global Solutions in Amsterdam:
+31 20 630 2384
[email protected]
