Keeping Plant Assets in Top Condition

Numerous operations are running concurrently in process plants. The condition of operation equipment must be maintained regularly to prevent risks of unplanned downtime and costly repairs. This is particularly true for structures susceptible to corrosion and erosion. However, the conundrum for plant managers and operators is that maintenance inspection could disrupt operation and productivity.

With a focus on addressing these challenges, Cygnus has developed an effective solution of easy-to-use ultrasonic thickness gauges, offering a reliable method of measuring wall thickness or corrosion without the need to remove protective coatings. Using the Cygnus-pioneered Multiple-Echo technique, Cygnus thickness gauges can ignore thick coatings and only give accurate thickness measurements of the substrate material, saving precious time and costs from removing coatings whilst avoiding exposing the substrate material to further corrosion.

Explosive Environments & Hazardous Areas

When it comes to safety, regular maintenance is a top priority for industries processing hazardous materials or operating in explosive atmospheres, such as the oil and gas, petrochemical and chemical industries. The Cygnus 1 Ex ultrasonic thickness gauge, designed for use in all hazardous Zones (0, 1, 2), is not only safe to use but also certified Intrinsically Safe to Zone 0 (the most dangerous area) for ATEX, IECEx and UKEX. This Ex-certified UTM gauge eliminates the need for Hot Work Permits or plant shutdowns.

Plant Infrastructure

Industrial plants have diverse infrastructure, including storage tanks, pipes and production equipment, which may be prone to corrosion and erosion. Internal corrosion often takes place without notice. What makes it worse is that many structures don’t allow access from both sides for inspection. This is where the ultrasonic thickness gauges come into play. The clever Cygnus 6+ ultrasonic thickness meter can measure the wall thickness from one side and ignore protective coatings up to 20mm thick. This rugged and compact device, with its small ultrasonic probe, enables access to awkward, confined spaces. Its intuitive menu on a large LCD-coloured display makes it extremely simple to use; any staff member can pick it up and use it with minimal training, making it a valuable tool for any plant.

Hot Assets Maintenance

In energy and process sectors, plant equipment such as reactors, pressure vessels, boilers, and pipes could operate at high temperatures. High temperatures exacerbate the corrosion process and pose additional difficulty for maintenance and inspection. With the Cygnus High-Temperature probes, the Cygnus 1 Ex and Cygnus 6+ thickness gauges can continuously carry out high-temperature thickness measurements of on-stream hot assets without a cooling period. This practical solution reduces inspection time and minimises disruption, giving you more time to focus on other important tasks.

Tackling Extreme Corrosion

It is not uncommon to find structures heavily corroded, prompting inspectors to investigate further. When this is the case, the Cygnus 1 Ex and Cygnus 6+ offer an array of advanced functions to tackle extreme corrosion. Thickness measurements can be shown live via an A-scan display to assist with visual verification. Surveyors can also use the B-Scan function to take a series of continuous thickness measurements and display the results graphically to represent a cross-section through the material. If you want to hone into a particular area of interest or heavily corroded spot, the advanced data logging offers Radial Points, allowing you to add up to 12 thickness measurements around the principle measurement in a ‘clock-face’ pattern.

Hassle-Free Reporting & Analysis

The Cygnus 1 Ex and Cygnus 6+ gauges boast comprehensive data logging capability to streamline the inspection and prevent human errors. Inspectors can record measurement data on the gauge, which can be easily transferred via Bluetooth or cable to a Windows® computer for post-inspection reporting and analysis.

Why Choose Cygnus

Cygnus Instruments celebrated its 40th anniversary last year and has been a leading manufacturer, providing reliable ultrasonic testing equipment for asset integrity management (AIM) above and below water across various industry sectors. All Cygnus ultrasonic testing equipment is simple to use, robust, and has a three-year warranty. Cygnus is proud of its global network of regional offices, distributors, and service centres that give you the best customer service and support around the world. To learn more, please visit cygnus-instruments.com.

For more information on Keeping Plant Assets in Top Condition talk to Cygnus Instruments Ltd