During ASNT 2024, Venkataraman KS and Krishnan Balasubramanian, Directors of Dhvani Group, shared with the audience the significant advancements their company has made in the field of non-destructive inspection (NDT). Dhvani Group’s solutions are helping the industry effectively address some of the most critical issues related to corrosion and structural integrity, topics that were addressed in detail during their speech.
Advanced technology for the detection of hidden corrosion
One of the biggest challenges in the NDT industry is the detection of hidden corrosion, particularly in difficult-to-inspect areas such as pipe supports and coated surfaces. The company has developed a proprietary technology that enables the quantitative identification and characterization of hidden corrosion in these environments.
The technique allows inspection under coatings, where there are coatings on the surface of pipes or water. […] We have inspected probably thousands of pipe supports, as well as hundreds of tanks and platforms, preventing many potential catastrophes and saving the industry a lot of money.
Balasubramanian highlights.
This inspection system is the result of years of research, beginning in 2006 when Venkataraman and Balasubramanian identified a critical zone in the dispersion flow of guided ultrasonic waves that allowed for complementary inspection, enabling them to detect corrosion in previously unreachable locations. Working in collaboration with ExxonMobil for over five years to perfect this technique has resulted in a proven solution that has already saved numerous equipment and facilities from costly failures.
Impact of technology on storage tank inspection
Another topic discussed by Dhvani Group directors was the challenge of carrying out inspections in hard-to-reach areas, such as the annular ring on elevated storage tanks. These areas, where corrosion is more prevalent due to humidity and constant exposure to corrosive substances, are particularly difficult to inspect using traditional techniques.
In 2006, there was a one-off failure with a specific customer where an inspection was done, and the defect was overlooked. That led to a costly incident. And it’s always an indicator that we find that we typically look for solutions when problems manifest and things have been overlooked. That’s typically how new technologies evolve.
Venkataraman narrated.
Dhvani Group has created specific solutions to inspect these critical locations, combining advanced technology and data analysis methods, significantly improving efficiency and reducing operating costs, allowing companies to identify problems before they become catastrophic failures.
Challenges and opportunities in the transition to NDE 4.0
Despite notable progress, both Venkataraman and Balasubramanian acknowledged that the transition to NDE 4.0 presents significant challenges. Information overload, combined with a lack of adequate training in the industry to handle advanced technologies, is one of the most significant barriers.
I think the technology, NDE 4.0 technology, is advancing at a very fast pace. The industry does not have the capacity to handle it today. This is because we are being trained in traditional methods of handling information, so this information overload that we will face will be the biggest challenge I see.
Venkataraman said.
This is an issue that needs to be addressed through education, training and collaboration between industry, researchers and technology developers. According to the interviewees, the role of partnerships and mutual cooperation is critical to overcoming these obstacles and moving towards successful adoption of NDE 4.0.
Dhvani Group: Leading the way in non-destructive inspection
Founded in 2008 as a spin-off of the Centre for Non-Destructive Evaluation at IIT Madras, Dhvani Group has been a pioneer in developing advanced NDT solutions. With a clear vision to make non-destructive inspection easier, more efficient and cost-effective, the group has combined cutting-edge research with practical applications to lead the industry in terms of efficiency and reliability.
The company has worked with multiple industries globally, offering solutions that not only increase safety and efficiency, but also contribute to reducing operating costs by preventing failures and extending equipment life. Its unique approach, based on research and innovation, has positioned Dhvani Group as a leader in the digital transformation of the NDT industry.
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Source and Photo: Inspenet.