Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) technology delivers faster, more accurate asset integrity inspections (photo: Ashtead Technology)

Ashtead Technology has expanded its equipment rental pool following a significant investment in the latest Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) technology to deliver faster, more accurate asset integrity inspections.

Provider of marine technology, non-destructive testing and subsea services, Ashtead will now supply the Eddyfi Lyft™, an inspection tool for identifying corrosion under insulation (CUI), a major asset integrity issue for the oil and gas, and petrochemical sectors.

CUI is a type of corrosion that occurs as a result of a moisture build-up on the external surface of insulated equipment. The corrosion is most commonly galvanic, chloride, acidic, or alkaline, and if undetected, the consequences can lead to the shutdown of a process unit or an entire facility.

Lyft™ can be used to accurately measure corrosion and wall thickness on insulated pipes without the need to remove insulation, significantly reducing time and costs. It’s suitable for use on a number of materials including metal, aluminium, stainless steel and galvanised steel weather jackets, to provide real-time C-scan imaging, wall thickness measurements and fast data acquisition (up to 15 readings per second).

Allan Pirie, chief executive of Ashtead Technology says, “This investment underlines our commitment to the subsea and non-destructive testing markets, by offering the latest, cost-effective technologies ensures our customers are getting the most efficient, reliable solution available. CUI is one of the most difficult processes to prevent. No matter the precautions taken, water invariably seeps into the insulation and corrosion occurs.”

“With traditional methods it was near on impossible to identify and measure the severity of corrosion without physically removing the insulation, however Eddyfi Lyft™ provides a fast, reliable and flexible solution,” adds Pirie.

Jim Costain, vice president of sales for Eddyfi, says, “We are thrilled that Ashtead Technology has added the Lyft to its range of Eddyfi inspection tools. This provides Ashtead’s large customer base with access to this unique, cost-effective technology, alongside its highly skilled technical support team.”

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