GGS performs NDT testing on refrigeration piping systems. We scan your in-service piping without cutting holes or removing the jacketing and insulation to provide a complete data set. Radiometric Profiling technology, the best option for testing refrigeration piping, poses zero radiation risk and offers a non-destructive and non-disruptive evaluation of your system.
for Refrigeration Piping Systems
GGS understand the characteristics of refrigeration piping systems, how and where damage can occur, and how it progresses over time. This results in an approach that is specific to your environment and testing that is conscious of the functions of your system. Whether you are performing a routine assessment, evaluating for maintenance or need to learn more about suspect areas, our experience ensures pragmatic results.
Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) is the most prevalent form of pipe degradation. CUI in the refrigeration industry usually occurs on the top and bottom of horizontal piping. Refrigeration piping usually operates at temperatures below ambient. As a result, water vapor will condense on the external surface of carbon steel piping wherever there is a breach in the vapor barrier of the insulation.
Once water is in contact with the carbon steel, external corrosion will continue to progress until it is resolved. Any water that has entered the insulation will either freeze on the pipe (if it is operating at or below 32F), or it will remain a liquid. This liquid may travel considerable distances from where it was first introduced into the insulation. Water will seek the lowest and/or coldest point in the piping and remain a constant threat to the integrity of refrigeration piping.
Most refrigerants, including anhydrous ammonia, are not detrimental to the internal surface of carbon steel piping and vessels. For this reason, the presence of external corrosion, not (internal) erosion, is the characteristic of degradation in ammonia refrigeration piping systems.
Testing reveals detailed conditions found at each location. Conclusive volumes of wet insulation, severity of corrosion and wall thickness values allow for informed maintenance or replacement planning decision-making.
for Refrigeration Piping Systems
GGS non destructive testing results in reliable diagnostic data on your refrigeration piping system. We detect and measure the following system components and damage mechanisms present in refrigeration process piping and vessels:
Your testing report, which can be used to support multiple facility management initiatives, includes visual, quantitative and qualitative data of each individual scanned location.
Examining the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) options for ammonia refrigeration pipe testing will ensure you and/or your mechanical contractor are able to select the best technology for your needs. The details below compare the capabilities of RP versus other common NDT methods.
| Capable |
| Capable with exception |
| Not capable |
| Radiometric Profiling (RP) | Ultrasonic Thickness (UT) | Industrial Radiography (RT) | Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) | |
| Zero holes in piping insulation | Jacketing and insulation remains intact | Requires holes / removal of insulation, and surface prep | Jacketing and insulation remain intact | Removal of insulation above 8” thick is required |
| Zero radiation exposure risk | Testing can occur without operations interruption | Testing can occur without operations interruption | Radiation field present, may require test area barricades and operations interruption | Testing can occur without operations interruption |
| All piping can be tested | Can test all piping up to 24” diameter, including elbows, and nested and suspended piping | Can test all piping including nested and suspended | Piping must be 6”< diameter; nested, suspended, and elbows cannot be tested | Piping must be <6″ diameter; suitable for magnetic steels only |
| Measure entire pipe profile | Measures entire circumference of pipe, top and bottom, wall to wall | Measures only where transducer is in contact with pipe (about 1” on a single side) | Captures image of 1 or 2 walls | Measures average single wall |
| Fast evaluation | Average rate is 150+ test locations per day | Average rate is 50 test locations per day | Average rate is 30 test locations per day | Average rate is 100 test locations per day |
| Pipe wall thickness | Measured on bare and insulated piping | Estimated results; prone to erroneous results on pitted or frozen pipe | Accuracy sensitive to film/source orientation | Erroneous results if isolated pitting is present |
| Water or ice in insulation | Detected and measured (volume) | Detected with visual after insulation removed | Evidence may or may not be detected | Cannot detect or measure moisture in insulation |
| Corrosion | Evidence is identified on bare and insulated piping | Detected with visual after removed | Accuracy sensitive to film/source orientation | Erroneous results if isolated pitting is present |
| Erosion | Evidence is identified on bare and insulated piping | Estimated results; prone to erroneous results on pitted or frozen pipe | Accuracy sensitive to film/source orientation | Erroneous results if isolated pitting is present |
Learn more from the recorded Webinar with IIAR, An Introduction to ANSI/IIAR 6-2019 Standard.
Learn more about how GGS testing helps you meet these important compliance requirements.
Gain insights from field experience stories and articles to learn how to put non-destructive testing (NDT) to work for you.
