You are on page 1of 2

Detection of corrosion under passive

fire protection
Pulsed eddy current technology as an element in the inspection approach
Benefits of PEC technology

No interference with production. PEC technology can be


applied in-service, so there is no need to empty the
storage spheres.

No need to remove the passive fire protection. PEC


technology can measure through up to 250 mm of
passive fire protection including the reinforcement mesh.

Accelerated corrosion
Degradation of steel can start when water penetrates the
interface between the metal and the fireproofing because
Figure 1: Collapse of a storage sphere resulting from corrosion
in the supporting legs. This corrosion was hidden by the passive
fire protection.

Failures due to corrosion


Failure of steel support structures can be caused by
corrosion of the steel under passive fire protection (Figure 1),
and visual signs of degradation may not be evident.
Pulsed eddy current (PEC) technology can help detect such
hidden corrosion before it becomes a potentially expensive
and hazardous problem. Shell Global Solutions has
developed an inspection approach based on this technology
to check for corrosion under passive fire protection. A
detailed visual inspection is carried out to look for signs of
degradation, and PEC technology is used to measure the
wall thickness of the metal behind the fireproofing.

of faulty seals or inadequate construction. The corrosion


products that are created may exert pressure on the passive
fire protection and cause it to crack (Figure 2). This can allow
more water to reach the steel, which accelerates corrosion.
Figure 2: Cracks in a
column skirt caused by
corrosion.

How PEC works

Implementation

A PEC probe is first placed by the wall that is to be inspected.

The PEC probe is usually portable and can often be used

Then an electric current is introduced in the probes transmitter

by a single operator (Figure 4). A dedicated jig has been

coil, which magnetises the steel beneath the probe (Figure 3).

developed to enable safe, fast and accurate data collection

The current is then switched off and, as a result, the steel

on the legs of storage spheres (Figure 5).

demagnetises. This sudden change in the magnetic field


Figure 4: Inspection
of a column skirt
through fireproofing
bricks with a polemounted PEC probe.

strength generates eddy currents in the steel, which diffuse


inwards from the steel surface and decay 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 is related to wall thickness.
PEC obtains a measure of the wall thickness by taking
an average reading over the probes footprint (the roughly
circular area where eddy currents flow). This makes it ideal
for measuring general wall loss.

PEC probe
Figure 5: PEC
inspection of a
storage sphere leg.

Fireproofing
Magnetic field
Steel
Figure 3: The basic principle of PEC measurements.

Please contact Shell Global Solutions for further information


Shell Global Solutions International BV
Tel: +31 70 377 2470
Shell Global Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Tel: +60 3 2170 3888
Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc.
Tel: +1 281 544 8844
Email us at shellglobalsolutions@shell.com
Or visit our website at www.shellglobalsolutions.com

Shell Global Solutions is a network of independent technology companies in


the Royal Dutch/Shell Group. In this data sheet, the expression Shell Global
Solutions is sometimes used for convenience where reference is made to these
companies in general, or where no useful purpose is served by identifying a
particular company.
This document is intended for general information purposes only and does not
in any way constitute an offer to provide specific services. Some services may
not be available in certain countries or political subdivisions thereof.

OG0221240404-En(A)

You might also like