In modern industrial facilities, storage tank shell plates and bottom plates are continuously exposed to degradation caused by both internal fluids and external environmental conditions, making them highly vulnerable to hidden corrosion that is difficult to detect visually. Conventional inspection methods often require shutdowns, tank cleaning, and personnel entry into confined spaces, resulting in significant time and labor costs. In addition, traditional point-based thickness measurements may leave substantial inspection blind spots. To optimize this routine maintenance challenge, Guided Wave Ltd. integrates advanced Non-Destructive Testing solutions to help companies establish comprehensive safety protection without removing insulation or protective coatings.
For large-area bottom plate screening, the team applies Pulsed Eddy Current Testing (PECT) technology, which calculates remaining wall thickness by precisely recording the decay rate of induced eddy currents through sensors. With excellent penetration capability, this technology can perform scanning through external insulation layers or protective coatings (FRP or EPOXY), eliminating costly coating removal procedures while generating corrosion mapping images at the same scale. This allows accurate identification of severe corrosion pits on the soil side or oil-contact side. When high-risk abnormal areas are detected, the team further applies Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) for precise quantitative evaluation. PAUT utilizes multi-element probes for localized area scanning and produces millimeter-level three-dimensional imaging in real time, overcoming the limitations of traditional point thickness measurements that may miss localized thinning. It provides clear visualization of corrosion distribution and accurate remaining wall thickness.
For large-area shell plate screening, Electromagnetic Rapid Motion Scanning (ERMS) technology is applied to provide localized full-area corrosion scanning information without opening inspection windows or removing coatings. This approach reduces the risk of missed defects associated with point-based thickness measurements. Through multiple ERMS scanning results at different elevations, the corrosion condition of storage tank shell plates can be comprehensively evaluated, helping identify potential leakage risks caused by liquid-level corrosion inside the tank.
This comprehensive inspection solution transforms complex tank conditions into scientific and visualized remaining wall thickness assessment reports. We help companies accurately evaluate asset remaining life based on reliable inspection data and develop the most cost-effective maintenance strategies. By upgrading maintenance practices from "post-leak repair" to "proactive precision warning," this approach provides the most reliable structural safety protection for various storage tank assets while balancing operational efficiency and workplace safety.