Copy No.: 4.

Technical Procedure
Non Destructive Testing & Inspection Laboratory - Motabaqah
Remote Field Eddy Current Testing

NDT.TP.701.ET.03.Ry

RFT Eddy Current Testing Procedure

NDT.TP.701.ET.03.Ry

Effective Date
Prepared By
Reviewed By
Title

ASNT Level III

Technical
Manager

Name

Muhammad Kashif

Amir Sajjad

Approved By
Lab Manager/
Quality
Manager

Sign

Issue No.
1.0

Issue Date
November.2015

Revision No.
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17.November.2015
Copy No.
Distribution
Deputy of GMO
1
Lab Manager
2
3
4

Quality Manager
Technical Manager

SAC

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Technical Procedure
Non Destructive Testing & Inspection Laboratory - Motabaqah
Remote Field Eddy Current Testing

NDT.TP.701.ET.03.Ry

Table of Contents
No.

Item

Page

1.

Table of Contents

2.

Amendment Page

3.

Purpose

4.

Scope

5.

Responsibilities

6.

References

7.

Pre-Requisites

8.

Definitions/Abbreviations

9.

Limitations

10.

Equipment & Accessories

11.

System Calibration

12.

Examination & Recording

10

13.

Acceptance Criteria

11

14.

Report & Record

11

15.

Recording Criteria

11

16.

Analysis Criteria

11

16.

Revision Page

12

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Technical Procedure
Non Destructive Testing & Inspection Laboratory - Motabaqah
Remote Field Eddy Current Testing

NDT.TP.701.ET.03.Ry

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1.

Technical Procedure
Non Destructive Testing & Inspection Laboratory - Motabaqah
Remote Field Eddy Current Testing

NDT.TP.701.ET.03.Ry

Purpose:
The purpose of this procedure is provide guidelines to NDT personnel of Motabaqah to carrying
out Remote Field Testing (RFT) for the detection and locate of tube wall thinning and localized
wall loss in the straight ferromagnetic tubes.

2.

Scope:
This Procedure is applicable for RFT to detect tube wall thinning and localized wall loss
ferromagnetic tubes of diameter ranging from 12.70 50.80 mm and thickness in 0.71 to 3.40
mm. This procedure is specifically applicable to RFT examination using an internal coil assembly
for straight tubes excluding U-bend.
This practice does not establish tube acceptance criteria, the tube acceptance criteria must be
specified by the using parties/plant/client.

3.

4.

5.

Responsibilities:
3.1

ASNT NDT Level III Electromagnetic Testing is responsible to prepare the procedure and
Technical Manager or his designee is responsible for review, explanation and
modification of this procedure

3.2

Quality Manager NDT and Deputy General Manager Operation are responsible to review
& approve the procedure. Quality Manager NDT will also help/assist for its effective
implementation.

3.3

ET level1 qualified person shall perform inspection according to approved procedure

except analysis of results under supervision of ET Level II or III

3.4

ET levelII or higher qualified person can perform inspection including interpretation,

analysis and evaluation of the results.

References:
4.1. SNT-TC-1A

Recommended practice for Personnel qualification & certification in

Non Destructive Testing

4.2.

ASME Section V,
Article 17

Electromagnetic Testing , Remote Field Testing of ferromagnetic tubes

4.3.

ASTM E-2096

Standard Practice for In Situ Examination of Ferromagnetic Heat

Exchangers Tubes using Remote Field Testing.

4.4.

ASTM E 543

Practice for Agencies Performing Nondestructive Testing

4.5.

ASTM E1316

Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations

Pre Requisites:
5.1 Prior to remote field testing a reference standard shall be manufactured for the specific
test of the same nominal size and material (chemical composition & product form) as
that to be examined. The intent of this reference standard is to establish and verify
system response. Reference standard for tubes in remote field testing shall be
manufactured as per ASTM E 2096.
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6.

Technical Procedure
Non Destructive Testing & Inspection Laboratory - Motabaqah
Remote Field Eddy Current Testing

NDT.TP.701.ET.03.Ry

5.2

The tubes should be cleaned and dried by client before the start of inspection. The tubes
should be free from water, scale and mud.

5.3.

The inspection should be carried out after proper cleaning

5.4

Scaffolding and other arrangement needed to gain access to the required points of
inspection will be arranged by client.

5.5

Power supply, air supply, lighting arrangement 24V and electrical earthing /ground
should be provided by the client.

5.6

Client should brief the inspector involved in the implementation of this procedure
regarding the operation/accident history which later on will enable analyst for accessing
the tube damage/condition.

Definitions / Abbreviations:
6.1. QC:
Quality Control
6.2.

ET:

Electromagnetic Testing

6.3.

RFT:

Remote Field Testing, a nondestructive test method that measures

changes in the remote field to detect and characterize discontinuities.

6.4.

NDTIL:

Non-Destructive Testing & Inspection Lab

6.5.

ASTM:

American Society for Testing and Material

6.6.

NDT:

Non-Destructive Testing

6.7.
6.8.

ASME:
Frequency:

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

The number of cycles per second of alternating electric current
induced in the tubular product

6.9.

Nominal Point:

A point on the phase-amplitude diagram representing data from

nominal tube.

6.10 Phase-Amplitude: A two-dimensional representation of detector output voltage, with

angle representing phase with respect to a reference signal, and
radius representing amplitude.
6.11. Indications:
Eddy current signals caused by any change in the uniformity of a tube.
These changes in uniformity affect the electric characteristic of the
tube
6.12. Sensitivity Control: The control in the instrument which adjusts the amplifier gain and is
one of the factors that determines the capacity to detect
discontinuities
6.13. Reference
A piece of same material, dimensions and heat treatment condition
Standard:
with artificial discontinuities used for establishing the test sensitivity
setting, periodically checking and adjusting sensitivity setting as
required.
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Technical Procedure
Non Destructive Testing & Inspection Laboratory - Motabaqah
Remote Field Eddy Current Testing

6.14. Non-Quantifiable
Indication:
6.15. End Effect:

NDT.TP.701.ET.03.Ry

A non-quantifiable indication is a reportable indication that cannot be

characterized. The indication shall be considered a flaw until resolved
future inspections or otherwise
The losses in sensitivity to discontinuities located near the extreme
ends of the tube as test coil enter or leave the ends of the tube.

7. Limitations:
7.1.

Applicable to ferromagnetic tubes only.

7.2.

Sensitive to surface variations therefore, requires smooth & clean surface

7.3.

Indication near tube sheet or edge may not be classified due to end effect.

7.4

Combination of defects on circumference has to be approximated due to net change in

magnetic field of the test circuit

7.5

Any indication which remains unresolved shall be reported as non-quantifiable

indication until resolved in future inspections or otherwise.

7.6

A reference standard is required for system calibration else the examination cannot be
performed.

8. Equipments & Accessories:

8.1.

Instrumentation:
8.1.1 The electronic instrumentation shall be capable of creating exciter signals of one or
more frequencies appropriate to the tube material
8.1.2 The apparatus shall be capable of phase and amplitude analysis of detector outputs
at each frequency, independent of other frequencies in use simultaneously.
8.1.3 The instrument shall display data in real time and recording data and system
settings in a manner that allows archiving and later recall of all data and system
settings for each tube
8.1.4 The data acquisition and analysis will be carried out by the following equipment:
Apollo Multi-Channel / Multi-Frequency RFT System

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Probe Inputs
Channels
Number of frequencies
Gain Range
Frequency Range
Probe Balancing

:8
: 8 simultaneously
:4
: 0 to 40GB
: 1 Hz to 10MHz
: Electronic probe balancing (hardware null)

Manufacturer

: GE Measurement & Control, USA

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8.2.

Technical Procedure
Non Destructive Testing & Inspection Laboratory - Motabaqah
Remote Field Eddy Current Testing

NDT.TP.701.ET.03.Ry

RFT Probe:
The probes should be of an appropriate configuration and size for the tube being
examined and compatible with the testing equipment.

8.3

RFT Tube Reference Standard:

8.3.1

RFT tube standards should be of the same nominal dimensions, material type and
grade as the tubes to be examined.

8.3.2

Typical artificial flaws and flaw characterization standards are as under:

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Technical Procedure
Non Destructive Testing & Inspection Laboratory - Motabaqah
Remote Field Eddy Current Testing

NDT.TP.701.ET.03.Ry

8.3.3 The RFT system reference standard has specific artificial flaws. It is
used to set up and standardize a remote field system and to indicate
flaw detection sensitivity. The artificial flaws for the RFT system
reference standard are as follows:
Through-Hole: A through-hole (Fig. 1, Flaw A) whose diameter is equal
to the tube wall thickness multiplied by a specified factor. For tubes of
outside diameter less than 1.000 in. (25.40 mm), the factor is 1. For
tubes of outside diameter greater than or equal to 1.000 in., the factor
is 1.5.
Flat-Milled Flaw: A flat-milled flaw (Fig. 1, Flaw B) of a depth of 50%
and axial length one half of the tube nominal outside diameter. The flat
should be side milled using a milling tool of a diameter of 0.250 in.
(6.35 mm) to create rounded corners.
Short Circumferential Groove: A short circumferential groove (Fig. 1,
Flaw C) of a depth of 20% and axial length of 0.625 in. (15.88 mm).
Edges shall be angled at 105 degree.
Wear Scar: A simulated wear scar from a tube support plate (Fig. 1,
Flaw D) consisting of a circumferentially tapered groove, 40% deep,
extending over 180 deg of the tube circumference. Axial length
measured at the bottom surface of the flaw shall be 0.625 in. (15.88
mm). Edges shall be angled at 105 degree.
Tapered Flaw: tapered flaw simulating near-tube-support erosion (Fig.
1, Flaw E) consisting of a groove 60% deep tapered circumferentially
and in both directions axially, the steep side of the flaw shall be angled
at 65 deg to the tube axis. The shallow side of the flaw shall be axially
tapered so that it extends an axial distance of four tube diameters from
the deepest point. The circumferential extent at the maximum point
shall be 90 deg.
Long Circumferential Groove: A long circumferential groove (Fig. 1,
Flaw F) of a depth of 20% and recommended axial length of two tube
diameters, Length is optional according to application, Edges shall be
angled at 105 degree
Note: See figure 1, on next page

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Technical Procedure
Non Destructive Testing & Inspection Laboratory - Motabaqah
Remote Field Eddy Current Testing

NDT.TP.701.ET.03.Ry

FIGURE-1: M anufacturing Reference f o r R F T S y s t e m R e f e r e n c e Standard

9.

System Calibration:
System calibration shall be performed as below and according Figure-2, given on Next page
9.1.

Differential Channels:
The phase rotation of the base frequency (F1) shall be adjusted so that the signal from the
through-wall hole (TH) appears approximately along the Y (vertical) axis and that the signal
from the tube support plate (TSP) lies in the upper left-hand and lower right-hand
quadrants. When properly adjusted, the differential signals should be displayed on a
voltage plane display

9.2.

Absolute Channels:
The absolute channels should be calibrated by setting up the tube support/baffle plate
signal at zero degrees (horizontal at X-axis), While keeping the grove vertical upwards.

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Technical Procedure
Non Destructive Testing & Inspection Laboratory - Motabaqah
Remote Field Eddy Current Testing

NDT.TP.701.ET.03.Ry

Figure-2: The following settings are required for differential and absolute channels
calibration

10. Examination and Recording:

10.1. Scanning Direction:
Data shall be recorded as the probe traverses the tube. The data may be gathered in a
Timed mode.
10.2. Scanning Speed:
The probe speed shall be dependent on the base frequency and sample rate and shall
be no faster than the speed required obtaining a clear signal from the reference
tube standard.
10.3. Tube Sheet Marking:
The tube number shall be marked on the tube sheet as Rows and Columns or if available
additional info of zones and flow passes.
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Technical Procedure
Non Destructive Testing & Inspection Laboratory - Motabaqah
Remote Field Eddy Current Testing

NDT.TP.701.ET.03.Ry

10.4. Pull/Push Method:

Manual push/pull by hands shall be utilized for inspection.
10.5. Recording of Signals:
The recording of remote field signals shall be done while pulling the probe through the
tube. The tube number will be noted. The signals on storage device (hard disk) should
be saved.
11. Acceptance Criteria:
This procedure does not establish tube acceptance criteria; the tube acceptance criteria must be
specified by the using parties/manufacturer/plant/client.
12. Report and Record:
At the end of the inspection and data analysis a report will be filled by inspectors and analyst on
the specific duly signed by Technical Manager. Report shall be kept as record in file.
13. Recording Criteria:
Location of indication will be reported along the length of the tube with respect to support
plates and depth range of the indications through the tube wall and wall thinning should be
reported.
14. Analysis Criteria:
The maximum evaluation depth of flaws and tube wall thinning shall be analyzed in terms of
percentage. When the loss of tube wall is less than 20% the exact percentage of tube wall loss
need not to be recorded and reported

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Technical Procedure
Non Destructive Testing & Inspection Laboratory - Motabaqah
Remote Field Eddy Current Testing

NDT.TP.701.ET.03.Ry

Revision Page

Revised by:
Job:
Date:
Signature:

Revised by:
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Revised by:
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