dew equipment I -‘- _

Non-contact temperature measurement Infrared temperature measurement has many advantages over contact thermometers, but price has limited the widespread use of this technique. The D200 series from Digitron Instrumentation is now available at a price which brings non-contact temperature measurement into the budget of many more users. A patented technique is used to linearize the sensor signal and the latest manufacturing methods including surface mount technology and automatic testing are employed.

Four models are available in the D200 series, each covering the temperature range -20°C to + 250°C. Accurate to & 1% of reading f3”C, all models have an LCD display with back light, instantaneous readings and good battery life. The sensors are available as either remote moulded probe models (D202AS and D202E) which work best at a distance over 0.5 m, or with sensors mounted on semi-flexible heads (D202AX and D202AF),

designed for closer temperature monitoring. The portable instruments are housed in a one-piece moulded casing for durability.

Contact thermometry can be impractical within many situations, whereas, for example, non-contact thermometry can monitor awkward, inaccessible, fragile or dangerous objects, monitor moving objects, monitor objects of low thermal mass, provide instantaneous readings and monitor objects whose temperature is changing. The ability to take temperatures without stopping a process can increase productivity by optimizing the running time of machinery. The D200 series are suitable for use in quality control, plant and equipment servicing, preventive maintenance and troubleshooting.

Digitron Instrumentation Ltd, Technology House, Mead Lane, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG 13 7AW, UK

The latest range of hand-held infrared thermometers from Digitron Instrumentation

Project subcontractors include ERA Technology of the UK, Karta Technology of San Antonio, General Atomics Corporation of San Diego, and General Physics Corporation of San Diego. Thirteen host utilities are participating: N.Y. State Electric and Gas Co, Florida Power and Light Co, Pacific Gas and Electric Co, Tampa Electric Co, New York Power Authority, Nevada Power Co, Arizona Public Service Co, San Diego Gas and Electric Co, Sierra Pacific Power Co, Public

NDT& E International December 1991 337

Steam generator life assessment

Foster Wheeler Development Corporation (FWDC) has been selected by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Empire State Electric Energy Research Corporation (ESEERCO) to manage a project to demonstrate improved techniques for assessment of the remaining life in steam generator superheater/reheater pressure parts.

The demonstration covers a number of new techniques and computer programs that have been developed during the last five years by EPRI/ESEERCO and others, with the objective of transferring the technology from the laboratory to the field.

The procedures to be demonstrated encompass improved calculation techniques, replication strain monitoring, carbide spacing, ‘A’ parameter, hardness measurements, miniature specimen testing, and many others. The computer codes include BLESS (Boiler Life Evaluation and Simulation System), TUBELIFE (for evaluating the life of superheater/reheater tubes), PODIS (for bimetallic welds), and SLIC2 (for piping evaluation). These techniques are expected to enhance the accuracy of remaining-life predictions, allowing utilities to avoid unnecessary maintenance as well as forced outages.

rlVew equipment Service Electric & Gas Co, Tennessee Valley Authority, Nebraska Public Power District, and Public Service Co. of Colorado.

Training sessions at each utility will be followed by field implementation. Documentation of the benefits is also an important part of the programme.

Foster Wheeler Corporation, Perryville Corporate Park, Clinton, New Jersey 08809-4000, USA

Radiographic facility

TWI North, the Northern Centre for the Welding Institute now has a complete radiographic facility for both training and examinations. Two new cubicles were designed and built by Wardray Products, to accommodate a 250 kV X-ray unit and an iridium 192 gamma source.

They were produced using a chevron lead brick construction covered with framework and panelling with a plastic laminate facing. This achieved a compact design and attractive overall appearance. The installation includes all interlocks and warning systems and provides radiation protection to a standard well exceeding current regulations.

Wardra y Products L td, Hampton Court Estate, Summer Road, Thames Ditton, Surrey KT7 OSP, UK

Dynamic inspection system

To assist in the development of the Microplus ultrasonic steel inspection system, Sonomatic has installed a new test rig at its Warrington research centre. Steel manufacturers interested in acquiring a volumetric inspection system are being invited to bring a steel sample for characterization.

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X-ray cubicles for TWI North designed and built by Wardray Products

The Microplus system provides on-line volumetric ultrasonic inspection of steel billet, bar, rail, tube and flat sections. The test rig simulates the transport system of a steel mill, providing a dynamic development facility.

It can simulate steel lines manufacturing round and square billet and bar, rail, tube and slab sections, operating at speeds up to 2ms- ‘. Sample pieces between 2 and 3m in length, weighing up to 200 kg, can be handled.

The fluid flow characteristics of the system’s immersion tank can be further studied, seal materials evaluated, encoder and paint spray systems optimized and dynamic performance verified.

Microplus is based around an IBM PC 386 industry standard microcomputer, and has been developed from the successful Midas ultrasonic inspection system currently in use at steel mills around the world. It is a multi-channel inspection system with an array of ultrasonic transducers which examine lengths of steel as they pass through a water-injected stuffing box at full line speeds. The water

acts as an ultrasonic couplant, and consequently the inspection heads do not touch the surface of the steel. This means that there is no wear and that the system is extremely reliable.

Automatic paint sprayers can be fitted to mark the location of defects. For each piece of steel inspected, a colour-graphic hard-copy inspection print can be generated to provide a report on the defective regions.

Sonomatic Ltd, 20 Rivington Court, Hardwick Grange, Woolston, Warrington WA 7 4R T, UK

Boiler maintenance program

Boiler Graphics, a versatile graphically oriented data base program for boiler maintenance personnel, has been announced by Karta Technology. The system is based on specialized CAD drawings of boiler sections individually created by the company’s technicians and tailored to fit the user’s needs. These drawings are linked via screen labels to data base

N DT & E International December 1991