IRIS is an ultrasonic method used for non-destructive testing of metal pipes and tubes.
Many plant operators in the oil and gas and power generation industries face challenges in maximizing the efficiency and lifespan of their assets, without sacrificing safety and reliability. Therefore, accurate inspection of critical components such as metal pipes and tubes is crucial to ensure the integrity of the facility.
The Internal Rotational Inspection System (IRIS) is capable of detecting corrosion, pitting and thickness reduction and is primarily used to inspect pipes in boilers, heat exchangers, air coolers and feedwater heaters. The method is particularly suitable for both ferrous and non-ferrous materials due to its high versatility, and IRIS can be used for a wide range of pipe diameters and wall thicknesses.
An IRIS probe is inserted into a pipe filled with water. The probe is equipped with a transducer that generates an ultrasonic pulse in a path parallel to the axis of the pipe. A rotating mirror directs the ultrasonic pulse towards the pipe wall. The mirror is driven by a small turbine that is rotated by the pressure of water pumped into the pipe. The ultrasonic pulses are reflected by the inner wall (ID) and outer wall (OD) of the pipe, and the difference in time of flight between the two diameters is used to calculate the wall thickness. As the IRIS probe is pulled out, the rotating motion of the mirror creates a helical scan path that ensures complete coverage of the pipe.
Advantages of Pipe Inspection Using IRIS
• Suitable for Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Materials
• Detects Corrosion, Indentation and Thickness Reduction
• Accurate Measurement of Wall Thickness
• Sensitivity to Internal and External Defects
• Ability to Identify Defect Locations along the Pipe Length
• Flexibility to Support Remote Field Inspections, Magnetic Flux Leakage and Eddy Current
