A new scanner to test the integrity of storage tanks has been produced by Phoenix Inspection Systems Ltd.

The system was commissioned by Doosan Babcock on behalf of Babcock Marine at the Rosyth Naval Dockyard in Fife, Scotland, and has been designed to carry out inspection of the walls of a set of storage tanks as part of a programme of integrity assessment.

The two-axis automated system consists of a linear and turntable drive carrying ultrasonic transducers located on the end of a pneumatic operated arm that is also equipped with a camera for visual inspection. It uses 0° probes to measure the thickness of the tank walls and angled beam probes to inspect critical weld areas for internal defects and cracks.

Dr Neil Hankinson, project manager at Phoenix, said: “Phoenix has a long-standing reputation for producing custom-made scanners for a number of industries. This particular system was designed to operate in a harsh environment and carry out detailed scans of the tank wall from the internal surface. The requirements were to fit through a small access hole and to scan the complete surface whilst negotiating a number of internal obstructions, such as stiffening bars and inlet / outlet nozzles, that hinder access and motion within the storage tanks.

“Inspecting these tanks to check their condition is a far more economical option than replacing them at regular intervals since design estimates on the tank’s life expectancy are often extremely conservative. The inspection system provided will allow Babcock Marine to maintain its high safety standards whilst reducing the frequency of replacing their storage tanks.”

Above: Two-axis automated scanner designed and built for Babcock Marine.

* A short movie is also available showing the scanner in operation during commissioning. Click here to see the movie on the Custom-Made Scanners page.