Ultrasonic wall thickness inspection

for storage tanks - Beetle

Fotobijschrif t?

Corrosion from the inside is a common cause for leaks in storage tanks. Aggressive components in stored
product can affect the tank wall. For this reason, it is necessary to measure the wall thickness in a number of
places along the tanks contour regularly. At ground level, the results can be read from a UT device immediately.
The results are stored in a computer and added to the inspection report in the form of a diagram. This enables
the client to be certain about the condition of his tank very swiftly.

Application areas

Controllable

Beetle inspection is an on-stream method for

As the Beetle is equipped with two powerful,

carrying out wall thickness measurements on

individually operated electric motors, the operator

storage tanks. Wall thickness inspections are

is able to steer the Beetle accurately, using a

carried out regularly, in order to comply with the

joystick.

requirements of authorities, inspection agencies

and insurance companies. The frequency can

The results are transferred through a cable at

be increased, if a reduction of wall thickness is

ground level and shown directly on the display of

observed during a measurement. At such times, it

the UT equipment.

can also be decided to extend the inspection, for

instance by means of Mechanised Wall thickness
Mapping (find more info in the Mechanized Wall
thickness Mapping sheet).

Ultrasonic wall thickness inspection on storage tanks - Beetle

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November 20 1 1
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Ultrasonic wall thickness inspection on storage tanks - Beetle

Performance

Cost savings

The Beetle is a crawler with four powerful magnet

In the past, you had to build high scaffolds or rent

wheels, with an ultrasonic probe on the underside

abseiling equipment, in order to perform manual

of the small carrier. The small carrier sticks to

ultrasonic measurements. This is a labour intensive

the tank wall and crawls straight upwards along

and time consuming job. The Beetle developed by

the outside of the tank. Paint layers or welding

Applus RTD Benelux, will crawl upwards along the wall

seams are no obstacle to the Beetle. Neither do

and will measure the wall thickness at great speed.

temperatures of up to 50 C pose any problems

You are no longer required to build scaffolds and/or

for this small but powerful unit. With a speed

rent abseiling equipment.

of 12 metres per minute, it crawls upwards and

automatically measures with a 5 mm distance
interval (every 5 mm a UT measurement is made
and recorded). These measurements can then be
reported with a distance interval of 10, 25, 50 or
100 cm.

Ultrasonic wall thickness inspection on storage tanks - Beetle

w w w. A pplusR T D.com

November 20 1 1
page 2 of 2