Published Paper Details:

Ultrasonic testing is essential for ensuring the safety and reliability of pipelines used for transporting H2, CO2, crude oil, and natural gas. Automated ultrasonic testing systems, employing arrays of transducers/probes arranged in fixed patterns such as X, I, K, on-bead, or wheel probes, are commonly used by manufacturers to detect both longitudinal and transverse defects in various types of pipes, including L-SAW, H-SAW, ERW, or seamless pipes. However, the challenge lies in detecting defects that can occur in any direction, necessitating the use of multiple transducers. While phased array probes are available, they still send ultrasound in a single direction with varying angles. In this study, I investigate the feasibility of using a single transducer/probe with multiple crystals mounted at different angles or a rotating transducer/probe which can scan in different directions to detect defects oriented in different directions. This approach leverages the law of reflection to maximize defect detection while minimizing the number of transducers/probes required, thus potentially enhancing both efficiency and cost-effectiveness in pipeline inspection processes.