This validation marks a major step forward in non-destructive testing (NDT) technology for the maritime industry, setting new standards for efficient and quantitative corrosion detection on hull structures.
The validation was awarded after extensive testing on a Hull Inspection Techniques & Strategy (HITS) JIP test plate, representative of a single-skin Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) hull. In these trials, TSC Subsea’s ART scans were benchmarked against Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT), a widely recognised and approved NDT technique.
ART proved highly effective in detecting and quantifying hidden defects through protective coatings in the ship hull test sample, reinforcing its value as a reliable and efficient inspection technique.
Key Benefits of ART for Hull Wall Thickness Measurements
Non-Contact Method: Unlike traditional methods, ART is a non-contact inspection technology, which makes it highly tolerant of challenging surface conditions and marine growth. This enables accurate corrosion mapping even on surfaces that might pose difficulties for other technologies.
In-Service Inspections: ART allows inspections to be conducted at sea, while the vessel is in service, minimising downtime and optimising operational efficiency. This feature is a significant advantage for the maritime industry, where interruptions and dry-docking can lead to substantial costs.
Comprehensive Corrosion Mapping: ART can detect and map corrosion on both external and internal surfaces of hull structures, providing a complete picture of asset integrity without the need to remove protective coatings.
Enhanced Coating Penetration: While both ART and PAUT employ ultrasound technology, ART operates at lower frequencies and provides a wider bandwidth. This combination allows ART to penetrate coatings that PAUT cannot, expanding its usability across a range of conditions.
With its recent Lloyd’s Register validation, TSC Subsea’s Acoustic Resonance Technology (ART) is setting a new standard for corrosion detection in the maritime industry. ART’s unique capabilities enable it to outperform traditional methods in terms of efficiency while delivering comparable accuracy and reliability to PAUT without compromising protective coatings.
Lloyd’s Register has validated this technology as a top-tier solution for ship hull inspections, reinforcing TSC Subsea’s position as an industry leader in advanced NDT subsea inspection services.
About TSC Subsea
TSC Subsea sets itself apart by providing a wide array of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques and diverless robotic delivery systems. This versatility allows us to select and deploy the most appropriate NDT methods tailored to each client’s specific requirements. By leveraging various NDT techniques and underwater robotic scanners, we optimise the inspection process for efficiency, accuracy, and reliability when assessing subsea assets.
Through our exclusive NDT technologies, we empower our clients to perform integrity assessments on their offshore assets while minimising costs, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing personnel safety.
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