Acoustic Resonance Technology – ART

ART – Acoustic Resonance Technology

The advantages of acoustic resonance technology (ART) have long been recognised in the subsea inspection marketplace. The technology—with its coating penetration and accuracy capabilities for through-wall inspection of pressure holding equipment—is well suited to detect mediums. TSC Subsea’s ART is deployed remotely via our ARTEMIS™ system to provide unique external inspection of subsea assets, including rigid and flexible pipelines, flowlines and risers.

How it works

Key to TSC Subsea’s ART is its patented, ultra-wideband acoustic inspection technology, which offers penetration and measurement capabilities through coatings, exceeding those of existing inspection technologies. In addition to analysing the material resonances (frequency domain) the technology uses time-of-flight measurements (time domain), which provides accurate external geometry measurement for ovality and dents.

ART uses a transducer shooting a broadband (multiple-frequency) sound signal toward a target such as a pipe wall. The signal duration is sufficiently long to generate oscillations in the target. As the oscillating target continues to be struck by the sound signal, the resonance greatly amplifies the oscillations. The resonating frequencies (frequency domain) are characteristic of the thickness and material of the target.

Attaining accurate data with direct measurement of thickness, makes it possible to calculate corrosion rates more effectively and cuts down on the number of inspections that are ultimately required.