In SCI we are a worldwide reference in the Applied Testing to Pipelines and Large Storage Tanks. These tests fall within the Non Destructive, along with others like trials using conventional radiography, conventional ultrasound, Magnetic Particle and Penetrant.
Special tests we conducted in SCI related pipeline and tanks are of 3 types: automatic X-ray, ultrasound and advanced verification buried pipe coating.
SCI has a global reputation in Applied Testing to pipelines and large storage tanks. It uses tests that fall within the area of Non Destructive testing including other methods such as conventional radiograpy, conventional ultrasound, magnetic particle testing and penetrants.
Special tests conducted by SCI in relation to pipeline and tanks are of 3 types: automatic X-ray, ultrasonic testing and advanced verification of buried pipe coating.
SCI has developed and manufactures its own crawler equipment, suitable for diameters from 3″ to 60″, and positioning it as a market leader in Spain for oil and gas pipelines inspection during construction. This technology has served as a springboard for SCI to expand its operations overseas.
SCI has inspected more than 30,000 km. of pipeline worldwide with this type of equipment.
X-ray crawlers with thermal engines and batteries.
Gamma-ray crawlers with Ir-192 source and selenium.
SCI has also for more than a decade been developing its own automated ultrasonic inspection equipment, using either conventional techniques based on pulse-echo or the more innovative TOFD or Phased Array.
This type of automated inspection is a valid radiographic inspection already routinely in demand as an alternative by other countries.
In recent decades the energy sector has experienced strong growth leading to the construction of major works and structures, such as new thermal petrochemical plants, pipelines, cryogenic tanks for LNG combined cycle, power plants and, more recently, solar thermal power plants. Consequently their construction has necessitated a high demand for these ultrasonic inspection techniques.
SCI currently possesses and uses recordable semiautomatic ultrasound equipment (SAUT) based on Phased Array and TOFD techniques.
SCI has also developed its very own automated recordable ultrasound systems (AUT) that allow the high production testing of pipelines welds as well as repairs, special points, etc., covering all the requirements of pipeline inspection.
SCI has PCM type equipment for checking the condition of the coating on buried pipelines This technique is based on circulating an electric current through the buried pipeline and so being able to detect those points where due to the absence of coating the current is shunted to the ground.
Detecting faults in the coating is made by following the trace by foot along the pipeline, enabling the team carrying the inspection equipment to detect the points where the coating is damaged.
This inspection is commonly used to verify that the coating of the pipes has not suffered damage as a consequnce of soil replacement or of a periodic in-service inspection.
Additionally, this technique is able to determine the location and depth to which the pipe runs.
Petrochemical plants and stockyards frequently requested inspection and certification of their tanks by API 653 inspectors.
One of the essential tests in this field is the inspection of tank bottoms using a loss of magnetic flux technique, which allows a fast and reliable identification of areas where there has been significant loss of thickness due to corrosion.
To assess the tightness of the welds in the tank bottom SCI also conducts inspections by vacuum box. We design and manufacture our own vacuum box depending on the particular configuration.
In support of these inspections we have developed our own automated equipment using recordable ultrasound equipment for measuring thickness in large storage tanks or in specific areas where the presence of corrosion is suspected These devices can be remotely controlled, without placing scaffolding or auxiliary structures in the tank.