In the industrial world, it will be an expensive and logistically complicated nightmare to put a storage tank out of service to have it inspected. This has been transformed by tank Inspection with the help of Acoustic Emission Testing (AE). AE testing is a state-of-the-art non-destructive testing (NDT) method, which can be used to perform the assessment of above-ground storage tanks (AST) in their operational state during all conditions.
With the capability of recording live acoustic emissions of operational defects, industries have now been able to identify structural hazards early, before they become intrusive; they no longer need to shut down the industry and pay a fortune to clean the tanks.
What Is Acoustic Emission Testing (AE) for Tank Inspection?
One of the dynamic condition-monitoring methods is the Acoustic Emission Testing of tanks. AE is a detection of transient elastic waves, which are “active” as opposed to passive methods, where one seeks existing holes or thinning. These waves are produced by:
- The development of micro-cracks and deformation of material.
- Mechanisms of active corrosion on the tank floor or shell.
- Leaks which are active at the bottom of the tank.
The inspection services of AE tanks are geared towards the detection of issues when they occur, which makes it the best alternative in the oil and gas and chemical industries to inspect in-service tanks.
Key Benefits of Tank Inspection using Acoustic Emission Testing
What is the reason why refineries around the world are outsourcing the services of AE testing? The advantages are clear:
- Zero Downtime: Carry out online tank inspection without emptying or rinsing the tank.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Real-time monitoring of the acoustic emission of the structure of the asset, representing its health.
- Early Detection of Flaws: Flaws in the form of stress corrosion cracking and active fatigue are detected early before they cause disastrous failure.
- Cost-Efficiency: It will save a considerable amount of money related to the cost of tank degassing, sludge disposal, and lost production.
- Risk-Based Prioritization: Assists owners in making the required decision on which tanks should be opened and which are safe to use further.
How Acoustic Emission Tank Inspection Works
This is a non-invasive process that is very systematic:
- Sensor Installation: On the exterior tank shell, high-sensitivity piezoelectric sensors are installed.
- Data Acquisition: The system listens to the tank when it is being filled in the controlled loading mode or when it is functioning normally.
- Signal Localization: Improved software is used to triangulate the point of control of acoustic hits in order to determine the precise position of defects.
- Severity Ranking: The experts work on the data, classifying the sources in accordance with their activity levels, and they give an effective roadmap to maintenance.
Industrial Applications of AE Testing
Acoustic Emission Testing (AE) to inspect tanks is the solution of choice where:
- Above-Ground Storage Tanks (AST): Checking the floor corrosion and shell integrity.
- Pressure Vessel Check: Identifying flaws in the welds during operation.
- Refinery Tank Farms: The administration of large-scale tank integrity testing systems.
- Chemical Storage: Detecting the leaks in hazardous areas at early stages.
Service Scope Note: The services of inspection of AE are strictly surface and industrial. We do not offer any services of underwater, subsea, or submerged tanks inspection.
Comparison: AE Testing vs. Conventional Methods
| Inspection Method | Shutdown Required? | Active Defect Detection | Cost Efficiency |
| Visual Inspection | Yes | No | Low (Due to downtime) |
| UT Thickness Gauging | Partial | Limited | Moderate |
| MFL (Floor Scanning) | Yes (Major) | No | Low (High prep cost) |
| Acoustic Emission (AE) | No (Online) | Yes | High |
Standards, Compliance & Safety
Professional AE tank inspection services are to be in compliance with international standards to guarantee their acceptance by the regulators:
- API 653: Facilitating the inspection, repairing, and making changes on storage tanks.
- ASME V: Regulating the principles of acoustic emission inspection.
- Risk-Based Inspection (RBI): This is an essential input to the fitness-for-service.
These standards are relevant in ensuring that your inspection reports are accepted by the insurance companies and environmental regulators.
FAQs – Tank Inspection using Acoustic Emission Testing (AE)
1. What appears to be heard on AE testing inside a tank?
Ans: It picks up the high-frequency energy emitted by the active activity, i.e., the “snap” of a microcrack developing, or the fizzing of active corrosion and turbulence of a leak.
2. Is AE testing able to replace internal visual inspections?
Ans: It will not substitute the legal process of API 653 of conducting internal checks and inspections, but can be safely used to prolong the period between internals, saving companies millions of dollars in unnecessary shutdowns.
3. Is the tank’s content a factor?
Ans: AE can be used with most liquids, such as crude oil, chemicals, and water, although the sensors should be adjusted to the particular environment.
4. Does this service include tank liners underwater?
Ans: No. Our Tank Inspection of Acoustic Emission Testing (AE) is intended to apply on surface based assets. There are no underwater or undersea services that are provided.
Conclusion
Tank Inspection with Acoustic Emission Testing (AE) is a more intelligent, safer, and more lucrative method of handling storage assets. Innovative AE testing will allow engineers to make data-driven decisions, which safeguard the environment and the bottom line at the same time by allowing them to inspect their tanks online and monitor them in real-time.
Do you have tanks in your facility that are to be inspected?
Do not close down your operations with a view to investigating. A-Star Testing and Inspection in Singapore can help you get a complete integrity report with your tanks online; contact us today.