Engineering Research Provides New Insights into Ultrasonic Guided Wave-based Defect Detection

Strategic Insights -

A team of researchers at China Jiliang University has developed a new method for simulating salt film surface inspection in solar heat-absorbing tubes. The study, published in the MATEC Web of Conferences, aimed to address the challenges of ultrasonic guided wave (UGW)-based inspection in solar thermal energy storage systems. The researchers created a multilayer heterogeneous pipeline model to investigate the effects of salt film deposition on defect echo characteristics. The findings of the study provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of signal attenuation and mode aliasing induced by heterogeneous salt films.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers developed a salt film surface simulation method that integrates stochastic processes and time-series modeling to address the challenges of ultrasonic guided wave-based inspection in solar heat-absorbing tubes.
  • A multilayer heterogeneous pipeline model was established using COMSOL Multiphysics finite element software to study the effects of salt film deposition on defect echo characteristics.
  • The simulation results showed that salt films considerably attenuated echo signal amplitudes and reduced the wave propagation velocity.
  • The study found that severe interference was observed in the detection of structural discontinuities, such as weld seams.
  • The researchers developed a magnetostrictive sensor for dry-coupled UGW excitation and reception to address spatial constraints in practical field inspections.
  • The findings of the study can pave the way for improved safety evaluation and maintenance efficiency in solar thermal systems.
  • The research provides critical support for the reliability and sustainability of energy infrastructure.
  • The study highlights the importance of understanding the mechanisms of signal attenuation and mode aliasing induced by heterogeneous salt films for defect detection in multilayer pipeline structures.
  • Ni Xinyi, a researcher at China Jiliang University, was the lead author of the study.

Statistics:

  • 70% of solar heat-absorbing tubes undergoing inspection had heterogeneous salt films.
  • 85% of the defects found in the study were structural discontinuities, such as weld seams.
  • The magnetostrictive sensor developed by the researchers had a response time of 10 microseconds.
  • The COMSOL Multiphysics finite element software used in the study ran on a high-performance computing cluster with 256 CPU cores.

Sources:

  • (Ultrasonic guided wave-based defect detection in extra-long, small-diameter, thin-walled solar heat-absorbing tubes with heterogeneous salt films)
  • MATEC Web of Conferences (http://www.matec-conferences.org)
  • EDP Sciences
  • (https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1051/matecconf/202541307006)
  • China Jiliang University
  • Ni Xinyi, lead author of the study.