ASTM E2906/E2906M-13
(Practice)Standard Practice for Acoustic Pulse Reflectometry Examination of Tube Bundles
Standard Practice for Acoustic Pulse Reflectometry Examination of Tube Bundles
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 APR technology is used for detection, location and identification of internal diameter (ID) flaws-indications and blockages in tube bundles.
5.2 Reliable and accurate examination of tube bundles is of great importance in different industries. On-time detection of flaws reduces a risk of catastrophic failure and minimizes unplanned shutdowns of plant equipment. Fast examination capability is of great importance due to reduction of maintenance time.
5.3 APR examinations are performed for quality control of newly manufactured tube bundles as well as for in-service inspection.
5.4 Performing an APR examination requires access to an open end of each tube to be examined.
5.5 Flaws that can be readily detected and identified include but are not limited to through-wall holes, ID pitting, erosion, blockages, bulging due to creep and plastic deformation due to bending.
5.6 APR can be applied to tube bundles made of metal, graphite, plastic or other solid materials with straight and curved sections. The APR technology has been found effective on tubes with diameters between 12.7 mm [1/2 in.] to 101.6 mm [4 in.] and lengths up to 18 metres [60 feet].
5.7 Closed cracks on ID surface, without significant geometrical alternation on ID surface, may not be detected by APR.
5.8 APR technology can be used for flaw sizing when special signal and data analysis methods are developed and applied.
5.9 In addition to detection of flaws and blockages, APR technology can be applied for assessing tube ID surface cleanliness, providing valuable information for equipment maintenance and improving its performance.
5.10 Other nondestructive test methods may be used to verify and evaluate the significance of APR indications, their exact position, depth, dimension and orientation. These include remote visual inspection, eddy current and ultrasonic testing.
5.11 Procedures for using other NDT methods are beyond the scope of this practice.
5.12 Acceptable flaw size...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes use of Acoustic Pulse Reflectometry (APR) technology for examination of the internal surface of typical tube bundles found in heat exchangers, boilers, tubular air heaters and reactors, during shutdown periods.
1.2 The purpose of APR examination is to detect, locate and identify flaws such as through-wall holes, ID wall loss due to pitting and/or erosion as well as full or partial tube blockages. APR may not be effective in detecting cracks with tight boundaries.
1.3 APR technology utilizes generation of sound waves through the air in the examined tube, then detecting reflections created by discontinuities and/or blockages. Analysis of the initial phase (positive or negative) and the shape of the reflected acoustic wave are used to identify the type of flaw causing the reflection.
1.4 When proper methods of signal and data analysis are developed, APR technology can be applied for sizing of flaw/blockage indications.
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standards.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:E2906/E2906M −13
Standard Practice for
Acoustic Pulse Reflectometry Examination of Tube Bundles
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationE2906/E2906M;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This practice describes use of Acoustic Pulse Reflecto- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
metry (APR) technology for examination of the internal E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive
surface of typical tube bundles found in heat exchangers, Testing
boilers, tubular air heaters and reactors, during shutdown E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
periods. 2.2 Other Documents:
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Nondestructive
1.2 The purpose ofAPR examination is to detect, locate and
Testing Personnel Qualification and Certification
identify flaws such as through-wall holes, ID wall loss due to
ANSI/ASNT CP-189 ASNT Standard for Qualification and
pitting and/or erosion as well as full or partial tube blockages.
Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
APR may not be effective in detecting cracks with tight
NAS-410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive
boundaries.
Test Personnel
1.3 APR technology utilizes generation of sound waves
through the air in the examined tube, then detecting reflections
3. Terminology
created by discontinuities and/or blockages. Analysis of the
initial phase (positive or negative) and the shape of the
3.1 Definitions—See Terminology E1316 for general termi-
reflected acoustic wave are used to identify the type of flaw
nology applicable to this practice.
causing the reflection.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.4 When proper methods of signal and data analysis are
3.2.1 acoustic pulse reflectometry—a technology for
developed, APR technology can be applied for sizing of
detecting, locating and analyzing sound reflections caused by
flaw/blockage indications.
discontinuities and abrupt changes on the internal surface of
tubes and pipes as a response to an induced acoustic signal
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
within the examined structure.
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
3.2.2 reference signal—a measured signal from a typical
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
tube in the examined bundle without flaws or blockages.
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
Reflections in the reference signal indicate structural features
with the standards.
of the tube, probe or adaptor.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.3 signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)—the ratio of the signal’s
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Root Mean Square (RMS) to RMS of the noise signal.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.4 output gain—the gain of the sound-source amplifier.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on the ASTM website.
Nondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.10 on AvailablefromAmericanSocietyforNondestructiveTesting(ASNT),P.O.Box
Specialized NDT Methods. 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org.
Current edition approved March 1, 2013. Published March 2013. DOI: 10.1520/ Available fromAerospace IndustriesAssociation ofAmerica, Inc. (AIA), 1000
E2906_E2906M-13. WilsonBlvd.,Suite1700,Arlington,VA22209-3928,http://www.aia-aerospace.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2906/E2906M−13
4. Summary of Practice element analysis techniques.These calculations are beyond the
scope of this document.
4.1 This practice describes the use of APR technology to
detect, locate and identify flaws and blockages in tube bundles.
6. Basis of Application
4.2 The practice describes typical APR apparatus and pro-
6.1 The following items are subject to contractual agree-
vides guidelines for:
ment between the parties using or referencing this practice.
4.2.1 APR system setup and performance verification.
4.2.2 APR examination and evaluation of examination re-
6.2 Personnel Qualification—If specified in the contractual
sults including signal analysis, indication detection, location,
agreement, personnel performing examinations to this standard
identification and sizing.
shall be qualified in accordance with a nationally and interna-
4.2.3 Preparation of examination report.
tionally recognized NDT personnel qualification practice or
standardsuchasANSI/ASNTCP-189,SNT-TC-1A,NAS-410,
5. Significance and Use
or a similar document and certified by the employer or
certifying agency, as applicable. The practice or standard used
5.1 APR technology is used for detection, location and
and its applicable revision shall be identified in the contractual
identification of internal diameter (ID) flaws-indications and
agreement between the using parties.
blockages in tube bundles.
6.3 Qualification of Nondestructive Testing Agencies—If
5.2 Reliable and accurate examination of tube bundles is of
specified in the contractual agreement, NDT agencies shall be
great importance in different industries. On-time detection of
qualifiedandevaluatedasdescribedinSpecificationE543.The
flaws reduces a risk of catastrophic failure and minimizes
applicable edition of Specification E543 shall be specified in
unplanned shutdowns of plant equipment. Fast examination
the contractual agreement.
capability is of great importance due to reduction of mainte-
nance time.
6.4 Extent of Examination—The extent of examination in-
cludes the entire tube bundle unless otherwise specified.
5.3 APR examinations are performed for quality control of
newly manufactured tube bundles as well as for in-service
6.5 Reexamination of Repaired/Re-cleaned Worked Tubes—
inspection.
Reexamination of repaired/re-cleaned items is not addressed in
5.4 Performing an APR examination requires access to an this practice and if required shall be specified in the contractual
open end of each tube to be examined. agreement.
5.5 Flaws that can be readily detected and identified include
7. Apparatus
but are not limited to through-wall holes, ID pitting, erosion,
blockages, bulging due to creep and plastic deformation due to
7.1 Acoustic Pulse Reflectometry equipment includes:
bending.
7.1.1 An APR probe with:
5.6 APR can be applied to tube bundles made of metal,
7.1.1.1 A wideband sound source, usually a loudspeaker,
graphite, plastic or other solid materials with straight and
capable of producing frequencies typically in the range of 0 to
curved sections. TheAPR technology has been found effective
8 kHz. Pulse width should be short enough to distinguish
on tubes with diameters between 12.7 mm [ ⁄2 in.] to 101.6 mm
between reflections generated by flaws located at a mutual
[4 in.] and lengths up to 18 metres [60 feet].
distance defined by practical requirements of the test. The
sound source level should be high enough to ensure that the
5.7 Closed cracks on ID surface, without significant geo-
weakest reflected signal of interest is above the background
metrical alternation on ID surface, may not be detected by
noise level.
APR.
7.1.1.2 A probe-to-tube adaptor for matching between the
5.8 APR technology can be used for flaw sizing when
probe diameter and the ID of the tube under inspection.
special signal and data analysis methods are developed and
7.1.1.3 Amicrophone for measuring reflected sound waves.
applied.
7.1.2 A main unit that:
5.9 In addition to detection of flaws and blockages, APR
7.1.2.1 Generates and amplifies electric signals, typically
technology can be applied for assessing tube ID surface
performed by a processor, Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC)
cleanliness, providing valuable information for equipment
and amplifier.
maintenance and improving its performance.
7.1.2.2 Sends the generated electric signals to the probe’s
5.10 Other nondestructive test methods may be used to
sound source.
verify and evaluate the significance of APR indications, their
7.1.2.3 Records signals produced by reflected waves and
exactposition,depth,dimensionandorientation.Theseinclude
captured by the microphone in a format suitable for evaluation,
remote visual inspection, eddy current and ultrasonic testing.
typically performed by a preamplifier, Analog-to-Digital Con-
5.11 Procedures for using other NDT methods are beyond
verter (ADC) and a processor.
t
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