Sharck HR

Introducing Sharck HR

The Sharck HR solution has been specifically designed for the depth sizing of surface-breaking linear indications found in carbon steel pipelines.

An Eddy Current Array (ECA) solution unlike any other combines Eddyfi patented coil topology, Tangential Eddy Current Array (TECA)^TM technology, and advanced sharpening image processing to bring accuracy, reliability, and repeatability to in-ditch pipeline direct assessment.

Both the TECA topology and the sharpening process are unique to Eddyfi. When combined, they provide the most advanced and trusted crack measurement tools available.

Tangential Eddy Current Array

TECA produces a very particular Eddy Current (EC) signature, which is the key factor in making this tool deliver such high accuracy on crack depth sizing in carbon steel.

When correctly calibrated, crack signals present unique characteristics:

1. horizontal and flat liftoff signal.
2. crack-like features nearly orthogonal with liftoff.
3. for a given liftoff, crack-like indications have the same phase; only the amplitude changes with depth.

From there, any operating point in the impedance plane corresponds to a specific combination of a given crack depth linked to a precise amount of liftoff measured during an acquisition – the final result is like applying a dynamic compensation for liftoff on depth sizing.

In addition to this, the TECA configuration used in the Sharck HR also allows compensation for property changes in the pipeline, mainly for permeability changes, a factor very often ignored by basic Eddy Current systems, which significantly impacts depth sizing accuracy.

Sharpening Process

Sharpening is an advanced process specially developed with Sharck HR to address high density SCC colonies. Such a process can only be applied on a C-Scan view and sharpens the physical resolution provided by TECA elements alone.

It provides a much higher resolution on C-Scans, better crack definition, but ultimately, this process's main benefit is delivering an accurate depth sizing, whatever the colonies density.

Without sharpening it is pure physics, so when an individual channel in a standard ECA probe detects multiple cracks simultaneously its signal is "boosted," which overestimates the depth reported.

Without sharpening being applied, depth reading starts to be overestimated when cracks are circumferentially distanced by 3 mm (0.12 in). This number drops to 1 mm (0.04 in) by adding sharpening, which assesses all colonies found on pipelines manageable. Adding speed, unprecedented repeatability, and ease of use make this the most efficient tool available for rapid, in-ditch crack assessment.

Performance Benefits

• Speed: 600 mm/sec (24 in/sec)
• Min. detectable crack: 1.5 mm (0.06 in) long x 0.25 mm (0.01 in) deep
• Max. measurable depth: 3 mm (0.12 in)
• Axial resolution: Can resolve cracks 1 mm (0.04 in) apart
• Circumferential resolution: Can resolve cracks 1 mm (0.04 in) apart
• Depth sizing accuracy: +/- 10-15%
• Dynamic lift-off compensation up to 1 mm (0.04 in)
• Permeability compensation (X42 to X70)

Features

• Ergonomic design
• Up to 60 elements/coverage 75 mm (3 in)
• Ceramic spring loaded fingers
• Pipe diameter range: 152 mm (6 in) in up to flat surface (axial and circ. scans)
• Control buttons
• Embedded spring-loaded encoder
• Guidance Laser
• Cable length: 5 m (16 ft)

Sharck HR Probe Range

Common Cracks and Defects

Crack-like Indications

Sharck HR is the perfect tool for in-ditch direct assessment of pipelines. Unrivaled performance for accuracy of depth sizing and characterization of all surface-breaking linear indications.

• Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC)
• Circumferential SCC (CSCC)
• Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC)
• Fatigue cracks

For more information on piping cracks, visit pipeline integrity - pipe defects.

Weld Indications

Unique features such as independently sprung sensors allow the Sharck HR to detect and size surface breaking weld defects.

• Cracks along DSAW welds
• SCC in HAZ along longitudinal welds
• Lack of fusion ERW
• Lack of fusion in A.O. Smith FW
• Hook cracks

For more information on weld indications, visit pipeline integrity - weld defects.