Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics Tank Inspection

TechKnowServe’s certified inspectors perform installation, in-service and repair inspections of Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) tanks and piping.

 

 TechKnowServe’s FRP testing methods and protocols comply with the 5-year retesting requirements of NJ DEP 7:1E-2.16 and NY DEC DER-16.

    

Acoustic Emission Testing

ASTM E1067 & RTP-1 Appendix M-8

AE Testing will identify resin cracking, fiber debonding, fiber pullout, fiber breakage, delamination and bond failure during a fill cycle.  AE testing typically takes 1/2 – 1 day to complete, based on the size of the tank.  The location of defective conditions are identified for the follow-up NDT inspections listed further down this page.  AE reports include clearly written analysis, data presentation and acceptance criteria results.

 

Certified Internal and External Visual Inspection

ASTM D2563 & ASME BPVC, Section V, Article 11

Visual testing includes hardness testing, informal stress cracking test, circumferential measurement test, etc.  Visual testing effectively identifies flaws in the tank structure and deficiencies in maintenance and operational practices.  TechKnowServe’s visual testing inspection reports are complete with full color pictures and descriptions of defective conditions.  TechKnowServe will also recommend follow-up repairs for repairable defects.

   

Remote Internal Visual Inspection

ASTM D2563 & ASME BPVC, Section V, Article 11

Remote cameras eliminate the need to send highly trained confined space personnel into hazardous envi
ronments while still subjecting the tank to the most effective inspection method, visual inspection.

Thermographic Imaging

Thermographic Imaging enables the inspector to visualize areas on the tank that transfer temperature in a manner inconsistent with the surrounding areas on the tank.  These temperature gradient areas can indicate shell flaws.

 

Strain Gage Testing

RTP-1                                             

Strain gage testing will determine the maximum working hoop strain of the tank is in compliance with industry standards.  The gages are installed directly on the surface of the tank and recorded the localized strain values.  Strain gage testing can be easily coupled with acoustic emission testing which results in greater data collection.  Strain gage testing takes approximately 1/2 day of set-up, depending on tank size and number of gages used.

• Rapid screening of long lengths of pipe

• 100% of pipe wall is inspected

• Detection of corrosion in insulated and buried pipelines

How it Works

• The sensor is installed on the outer diameter (OD) of the pipeline.

• Long-range ultrasound is focused upstream and then downstream.

• Ultrasound is reflected back from pipeline corrosion.

• Corrosion is located with respect to the sensor location using the speed of sound in the pipeline tested.

• Corrosion severity is estimated in terms of cross-sectional area loss.

• Automatic report generation with reflector characterization and location.

Inspection Applications

• Transmission/distribution lines

• Refinery lines

• Offshore risers

• Tank farm lines

• Headers

• Storage sphere support legs

• Refrigeration lines

• Corrosion under insulation (CUI)

• Underground pipelines

• Pipelines under road crossings