Eddy Current Testing of Chiller Tubes and Heat Exchanger Tubes
Eddy current testing is a nondestructive testing method commonly used to inspect tubing in heat exchangers, condensers, air coolers, and other appliances. Eddy current testing is a high-speed method that can be performed to inspect through painting and coatings and is used to assess the condition and lifespan of tubes. Tubes can become damaged over time through corrosion, pitting, cracks, erosion, and other changes. Detecting these flaws is a vital process to help keep appliances working reliably and to meet certain quality and health and safety standards. Different tubes are subject to different stresses, meaning their inspection often requires different equipment and processes. In this article, we will discuss what eddy current equipment you need for inspecting chiller and heat exchanger tubes to save repair costs and ensure quality standards are met.
Eddy Current Testing of Chiller Tubes
Chiller tubes undergo daily stress, which can lead to rust and corrosion. This rust can also infiltrate the evaporator tubes of the chillers, potentially leading to further damage to the compressor and preventing the water from chilling effectively. Common defects to look out for include:
- Pitting
- Freeze ruptures
- External corrosion
- Internal pitting
Left untreated, these flaws can lead to costly repairs. This is why regular nondestructive testing is used to help detect these malformations early.
Chiller Tube Inspection Equipment
Using eddy current testing equipment on chiller tubes is a proven and effective flaw detection method. Any irregularities will disrupt the eddy current flow generated by the probe, signalling to the user that there may be a flaw in the test material. The ideal equipment for chiller tube inspection includes a testing instrument that enables simultaneous injections and multiplexed frequencies. These two features result in:
- Improved efficiency
- Increased inspection speed
- Remote field testing (RFT)
The multitiered frequency is used to detect a range of flaws, from surface cracks to irregularities deep below the surface. You should look for chiller tube inspection equipment that can be used to inspect most tubing materials, including carbon steel or magnetic alloys. Using cutting-edge technology can help inspectors detect these flaws when they’re beginning to develop, eliminating costly overhead costs further down the line. This makes investing in effective instrumentation important when inspecting chiller tubes.
Eddy current testing is an efficient choice for the inspection of chiller tubes, but it requires industry-leading instrumentation and software. Explore our eddy current testing equipment from Olympus and find the right instrument for your industry.
Eddy Current Testing of Heat Exchanger Tubes
Eddy current testing equipment is also a reliable and highly effective method for measuring wall thickness and cracks in heat exchanger tubes. Like chiller tubes, inspection of heat exchanger tubes requires quality instrumentation to accurately identify defects at an early stage. High-fluid pressure causes expansions and contractions in heat exchanger tubes, making them more susceptible to surface and subsurface defects.
Heat Exchanger Tube Inspection Equipment
Users have two primary choices when it comes to eddy current equipment for heat exchanger tube inspection. A testing instrument combining multiplex and simultaneous injection will lead to faster inspection times and more accurate data, these are used solely for heat exchanger testing. Another option would be a tubing/surface instrument, which can be used for heat exchange inspection along with other applications.
Multiplex eddy current equipment enables you to test all the different tube types, which is ideal for users who want to use their instrument for a diverse range of applications. These devices can be used for detecting abnormalities, such as cracking, putting, and cuts. They can also be used for remote field testing (RFT), enabling users to obtain accurate data in any testing radius. Using a device with multiplex technology, users can take advantage of:
- Enhanced detection probability for surface and subsurface flaws
- SI technology that increases inspection time, enables RFT, and supports multiple coil frequencies
A final option for users looking to use eddy current technology to inspect heat exchanger tubes is remote acquisition units with tubing and surface array configurations. This enables the detection of surface and subsurface indications using surface array.
The best eddy current testing equipment for heat exchanger tubes should possess the following features:
- Superior detection quality
- Lightweight portability
- Automated analysis software
- Fast inspection speed
The software is one of the most important aspects when it comes to choosing eddy current testing equipment for tubes. Your software should be able to provide fast analysis results and reporting as data is acquired, as well as being capable of distinguishing between circumferential and axial indicators. Quality should be a serious consideration when investing in eddy current technology for heat exchanger tube testing. Inferior equipment can lead to missed flaws, operational failures, and inflated repair costs.
Explore our eddy current testing equipment from Olympus and find the right instrument for your industry.
Equipping your analysts and mechanics with the high-quality eddy current inspection technology will help you save on maintenance and repair costs. Investing in equipment with the features we identified in this article and ensuring your technicians are probably trained to use it will help you identify flaws in heat exchanger tubes early and prevent critical failures.
