TPT May 2011

I ndustry N ews Baoji Petroleum chooses Thermatool BAOJI Petroleum Steel Pipe, a division of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), an API producer located in the Shaanxi Provence of China, is currently installing the world’s largest Thermatool HAZControl Technology™ (HCT) high frequency welder. Thermatool has developed new technology specifically for this HF Welder, building an 800kW welder with stabilised frequency adjustment in 1kHz increments between 275 and 375kHz. This welder is the first in its class on multiple fronts. It is the world’s first true variable frequency welder with output of 800kW, providing precision HF welding control to the API market. It operates at the highest frequency (up to

375kHz) for a solid state HF welder at 800kW. Thermatool has found that higher frequencies are necessary for welding some of the most demanding materials like P110, N80, and stainless and duplex steels. It is the first high-powered welder to be controlled with Thermatool’s patented HAZControl Technology™. More and more customers are selecting HCT as their welder of choice. The new welder is the first to be capable of achieving full power output over the frequency range (275–375kHz) in either induction or contact welding mode. Dual welders add flexibility for producers who need to minimise kilowatt hours/ton cost in their HF welding equipment. It is the first high-powered HCT welder fitted with Thermatool’s new contact welding system using the QuadContact™ design. Four contact tips reduce marking on pipe during HF welding and increase the life of the contacts, once again adding differentiation to Baoji’s product offering. Control of the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) is essential for ensuring repeatability of HF welder performance. As new high performance steel alloys are introduced into the OCTG pipe and tube (API) market, the process windows for achieving the

and transverse/longitudinal defects. Using the new, fully multiplexed 32 transducer elements that feed 20 channels, results were excellent even when testing to 5% threshold, meeting API standards. MAC’s ultrasonic unit is mounted on a triple drive roll bench installed as part of the customer’s in-line test system. MAC’s bench provides constant centring, which reduces vibrations and allows for leading and trailing upset ends to be accommodated. The entire plant’s production passes the test station, which has integrated the MAC ultrasonic system with an existing magnetic flux leakage test unit. MAC’s bench was synchronised with the customer’s conveyor test speed, height, and logic controls. A new multi-collector computer receives data from all testing stations and presents a single traceable report for each tube. The multiplex feature will also be extended to other ultrasonic rotaries in MAC’s product line. MAC also offers flux leakage and eddy current systems for testing tube, bar, wire and parts. Magnetic Analysis Corp – USA Its product line includes handheld and mechanised plasma cutters and consumables, as well as CNC motion and height controls. Hypertherm systems are trusted for fast, precision metal cutting and reliability that results in increased productivity and profitability for tens of thousands of businesses. Hypertherm – USA Website: www.hypertherm.com best weld are tightened. HAZControl Technology™ provides a means by which these new materials can be welded with consistency. The tube producer benefits with stronger materials and stronger welds, produced with less scrap. This new welder allows Baoji to produce product up to 219.1mm OD with 13.72mm wall while maintaining tight control over the HAZ. With its 800kW Thermatool VF Welder, Baoji is breaking new ground and helping bring oil and gas tubular product to a new, higher standard. Hypertherm designs and manufactures the world’s most advanced plasma cutting systems for use in a variety of industries such as shipbuilding, manufacturing and automotive repair.

First UT rotary system successfully installed

RESPONDING to the need for more test channels to detect smaller and smaller defects without sacrificing speed, Magnetic Analysis Corp engineers developed a new multiplexed ultrasonic transducer design for the way transducers send and receive signals. MAC’s new multiplex 180mm

Echomac ® ultrasonic rotary system was recently installed in a Russian plant that produces oil country tubular goods. The unit is part of a test station that inspects welded ERW line pipe and casing tube up to 168mm diameter and 7.5mm wall thickness for lamination, wall thickness,

The new multiplexed ultrasonic transducer design

Email: info@mac-ndt.com Website: www.mac-ndt.com

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M ay 2011

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