超声相控阵技术在荔湾3-1深水天然气开发项目上的应用

Ultrasonic phased array technology:A case history of the LW3-1 Deepwater Gas Development Project in the South China Sea

超声相控阵技术是近年无损检测领域的研究热点,可以做到对缺陷的精确定位和清晰成像。在简要介绍超声相控阵技术的发展历史、原理及特点的基础上,对检测设备、检测方案以及软件应用等方面进行了研究与应用。实践表明,该技术可以灵活地采用多种扫描方式进行检测,在检测速度、缺陷定量准确性、减少环境污染、降低作业强度等方面具有明显优势,还能够检测形状复杂的物体;近年来超声相控阵检测设备朝着高精度、数字化、智能化以及小型化方向发展,在荔湾3-1气田深水天然气开发项目中,由于受到设备结构复杂、施工空间受限、工期紧张等方面的影响,采用超声相控阵技术将有助于改善检测的可达性和适用性,提高检测的精确性、重现性及结果的可靠性,大大增强检测的实时性和直观性。与其他检验方式相比较,该技术在荔湾3-1气田导管架立管安装上节约了时间和成本,取得了较好的经济效益。

The ultrasonic phased array technology, a recent hot topic in industrial non-destructive testing （NDT）, is capable of accu- rate positioning and high-resolution imaging. Based on a brief introduction to its development history, principles and characteristics, relevant studies were made on the involved testing equipments, testing plan, software application, etc. Field practices show that this technology can flexibly employ a variety of scanning modes for testing, with outstanding advantages in testing speed, defect quantita tive accuracy, environmental pollution reduction, working intensity relief, and so on. This technology can also detect objects in com- plex shapes. In recent years, the ultrasonic phased array testing equipments have been developing for realizing high resolution, digiti- zation, intelligentization, and minimization. Although the LW 3-1 Deepwater Gas Development Project was adversely influenced by a complex equipment structure, a small construction space, and short construction duration, this technology helped improve the accessibility and applicability of testing, increase the accuracy and reproducibility of the NDT and the reliability of the results, and greatly enhance the timeliness and visualization of the NDT. Compared with conventional flaw detectors, this technology saves time and costs for LW 3-1 Jacket Riser Installation Works, gaining good economic profits.