Ultrasonic testing the Cygnus way

QUICK AND CLEAN

ULTRASONICS • GETTING FAST AND ACCURATE THICKNESS MEASUREMENTS IS GETTING EASIER AND, THANKS TO CYGNUS INSTRUMENTS, SAFER IN HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS

ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY over the past decades have offered facility operators greater choice in equipment that promises to make their lives easier and their activities more efficient. For those operating in the highhazard sectors, however, there is the added complication of needing to have equipment that is capable of working safely in potentially flammable or explosive atmospheres. This often restricts the choice of available equipment or, in some cases, actively prevents their adoption.

Ultrasonic thickness gauges are a case in point. Indeed, UK-based Cygnus Instruments says its Cygnus 1 Intrinsically Safe gauge is the only one of its kind in the world to be certified for use in Class 1, Division 1 (‘Zone 0’) areas under ATEX, IECEx and CSA-US.

Like all Cygnus gauges, the Cygnus 1 employs the Multiple-Echo technique to read through coatings and gives an accurate measurement of the remaining metal thickness, guaranteeing crucial savings in time and money as it eliminates the need to remove and reapply coatings. It also avoids the risk of exposing the material under test to further corrosion. This has proved significant in the oil and gas and marine industries as pipelines and marine structures, found both on land and underwater, are usually coated and can suffer from internal corrosion, leading to costly leaks and emergency repair work. This can easily be prevented with routine thickness gauging checks.

BUILT TO BE TOUGH As well as being intrinsically safe, Cygnus 1 is extremely rugged and specifically designed for measuring metal thickness to determine wastage or corrosion in Zone 0, Zone 1 hazardous and potentially explosive environments. Boasting a highly durable, shock-proof and splash-proof (IP65 rated) construction, this heavy-duty unit is supplied ready to use, and offers up to 12 hours continuous testing before recharge is necessary, with no plant shutdown or hot work permit required.

The virtually indestructible exterior houses a large set of components, viewed via a bright LED display with polarised filter, in either metric or imperial measurement to suit the user’s preference. Its features include an echo strength indicator to aid measurement, measurement self-verification to ensure maximum accuracy, stable calibration linear accuracy, no zero adjustment and sound velocity settings. The gauge can also be used with a range of varied frequency probes or a right-angle probe – more practical for reaching areas with restricted access.

This accuracy and ease of use makes the Cygnus 1 a popular choice. As one customer says: “There are many in the industry who have been using Cygnus meters for more than 20 years. I myself have used their underwater thickness gauge along with regular and Intrinsically Safe UT meters from the early stages of my career – and that goes back to more than 25 years for sure. As a global leader of inspection services, we use Cygnus Gauges for pipelines, tanks and vessel inspections. Our operators particularly love Cygnus – as readings come quick and accurate.” cygnus-instruments.com