Papers by Keyword: Inspection

Abstract: The petroleum production process emphasizes the importance of inspection, analysis, test planning, and providing feedback on rotating equipment. This study discusses the analysis of steam turbine generator overhaul (OH) for efficiency enhancement at the power plant center of refinery unit. The efficiency of steam turbines in power plants is critical for optimizing energy conversion and minimizing operational costs. This study analyzes the impact of a steam turbine generator overhaul on efficiency at a refinery unit power plant. Efficiency was evaluated using Rankine cycle calculations, comparing performance data before and after the overhaul. The findings indicate a 2.63% increase in efficiency, with entropy-temperature analysis revealing energy losses due to scaling buildup and seal strip clearance deterioration. To maintain efficiency and reduce overhaul frequency, demineralized water quality, periodic maintenance, and anti-scaling treatments are recommended. These results highlight the importance of proactive maintenance in sustaining turbine performance and minimizing long-term costs.

Abstract: This paper presents a case study of an in-service failure occurred in a pressurized gas supply pipeline, which has been recurring in recent years, particularly during the winter season. The investigation focused on two pipe coupons extracted from a DN 300 pipeline, which had sustained damage while in operation as part of a natural gas pipeline. Through the implementation of mechanical and non-destructive testing methods on the pipe couplings and their welds, multiple non-conformities were identified. These non-conformities were found to be the root causes of failures that occurred after welding and during operation. The findings of this investigation have led to several valuable comments and recommendations, which are beneficial for manufacturing companies and clients alike. Implementing these suggestions can contribute to enhanced safety and operational efficiency in gas pipeline systems.

Abstract: To quickly adapt to the fast-changing conditions in the modern markets and the global economy, manufacturers are adopting digital manufacturing methods and tools, instead of traditional paper-based processes, to release higher quality products more quickly and at a lower cost. The pharmaceutical industry has a high production standard in the world. Delivering a defective product (or package) can lead to customer complaints and may even result in the entire product series being returned in severe cases. To reach out to the tiny space of products and achieve a high pharmaceutical product dimensional standard, manufacturers must introduce commercial vision inspection systems for the quality inspection process. However, conventional commercial inspection systems are often of a high cost, thus making them unaffordable for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in developing countries. This paper proposes a cost-effective vision inspection system that intelligently measures critical plastic bottle dimensions. The system comprises three 4K industrial cameras, two LED lights, a customized measurement platform, and a laptop, making it more affordable for MSMEs. Under the appropriate illumination setting, a plastic bottle is positioned on the stage and viewed by the laptop screen in real-time. The middle camera captures the bottle image, followed by a series of image processing operations to obtain the region of interest (ROI), such as the snap cap radius and height. Then, extract the target bottle edges with the Canny edge detector. Lastly, the system calculates the pixel-based distance and converts it to the measurement results for records or decision-making. The proposed method demonstrates reliable dimensional detection abilities, offering a potential solution to reduce human workload and improve inspection productivity in measuring pharmaceutical bottles.

Abstract: In this paper, the simulated welding structure at different areas of heat affected zone (HAZ) of austenitic stainless steel are prepared by heating furnace, and the deference of intergranular corrosion resistance of all samples were determined by comparative methods of oxalic acid etching, hot-acid test and electrochemical potentiodynamic reactivation tests (EPR), and the effectiveness of all those methods were analysis and determination at the same time. The result shows that the susceptibility degree at different areas of HAZ increased with the heating temperature increase, but all structures can pass hot-acid test and EPR test, indicating that it could maintain good performance of intergranular corrosion resistance. The hot-acid test results have good consistency with EPR test , but inconsistent with oxalic acid etching test. The results show that the evaluation of oxalic acid etching is too much strict to be used as a judgment method, so that not suitable of use for inspection.

Abstract: Currently in Thailand, original equipment manufacturers (OEM) who produce precision-machined parts face a serious problem about product rejection from customers. This is because measuring results from the OEM supplier differ from the measuring results from the OEM buyer. Normally, for precision-machined parts, OEM suppliers and OEM buyers use CMM machines as an inspection tool. One major cause of the difference in measurements is that suppliers and buyers use different CMM machine, operators and measuring methods. In order to mitigate the difference in measurements, the standard guideline for measuring precision-machined parts by CMM machines needs to be improved. In this research, the guideline was developed by studying the best practices of five successful companies, who could minimize rejection due to the differences in the CMM machine operators and measuring methods. Validation results indicated that when manufacturers who had precision problems used this guideline, the product rejection could decreased significantly.

Abstract: Overage service pressure vessels are widespread in China. These pressure vessels may be suffered from some forms of material deterioration and damage with an increasing possibility of failure. However, some of the potential damage mechanism couldn’t be found if the inspection strategies were carried out in according with traditional inspection regulations. Through identifying the damage mechanism of these pressure vessels, the risk evaluation would be carried out by use of RBI technology in company with the structure integrity assessment. The procedure of inspection for overage service pressure vessels was developed, and some of the reasonable inspection and testing requirements and basic principles also were proposed. The three levels evaluation methods of residual safe-service life for these pressure vessels were proposed. At the same time, the risk supervision method of these pressure vessels was established by use on the risk basic theory.

Abstract: Ultrasonic measurement is used to evaluate wrinkles during sheet metal forming. The authors developed a new apparatus for investigating the relationship between the wrinkles in press forming and the ultrasonic reflection characteristic of an angle beam. The new evaluation apparatus was composed of probe-fixing parts, an upper die, a middle die, and a lower die. A specimen was sandwiched by a pair of dies in the evaluation apparatus. Angle beam probes for transmission and reception were set on the upper die. Specimens in the form of plates having periodic trapezoidal wrinkles were fabricated by electro-discharge machining. In the new evaluation apparatus, the specimen is placed in contact with the die. Wrinkling was found to change the ultrasonic reflection characteristic of an angle beam. The new apparatus can thus be used to evaluate wrinkles using the angle beam technique.

Abstract: Nowadays, the age of most transport facilities in Russian Federation is estimated in many decades. Consequently, there is an urgent need for periodic surveys and monitoring of the state of each structure, its individual structural elements. The main purpose of these measures is to maintain the high performance indicators of the transport structure, the achievement of which is impossible without examination, analysis and evaluation of parts of the structure that are in the aquatic environment and, as a consequence, the occurrence and development of various types and degrees of defects and damages. The most important conditions for ensuring uninterrupted and safe traffic along the bridges of vehicles and pedestrians are: the normative load-carrying capacity of the structure; required clearance of the roadway and sidewalks; compliance with traffic safety requirements for bridges; observance of characteristics and maintenance of the bridge capacity for the period of ice drift and high water; timely performance of work on the care, maintenance and repair of the elements of the bridge. Technically sound structures and their reliability can be ensured if all the parameters of the road category structure and the requirements of regulatory documents are met. The work presents the survey materials of the bridge. Classification of defects by group and class of danger. The results of determining the carrying capacity on the basis of the survey are given.

Abstract: One of the modern society priorities is the tendency towards sustainable social and economic development. Sustainable development is possible through the preservation and efficient use of the values created by our ancestors and the ability to meet current needs so as not to endanger the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Real estate appraisal activity evaluates the changes in property value over time. Physical or legal actions on the property are justified only if the future value is not affected.Theory and practice of appraisal activity quantifies three approaches to value:The Sales Comparison Approach – value is examined in terms of current market preferences;The Income Approach – determine the income the property is expected to generate over time as a result of the most probable use;The Cost Approach – value is perceived in terms of replacement cost of real estate with one with comparable utility.Technical assessment of constructions is applied as a rule mainly in the cost approach, and has a major impact on the estimate of market value. The role of technical assessment is reduced, even ignored and not taken into account in other approaches.The present research examined the role of technical assessment of constructions in the process of real estate appraisal and the impact of inspection on the real estate value.

Abstract: Congested sewage system causes many health related problem, since every work activity bring sewage workers into contact with perilous and toxic substances while removing the clogs occurring in the system. The major illness includes not just associated the relatively mild case of gastroenteritis, but also the potentially fatal diseases such as leptospirosis and hepatitis. The aim of the project is to implement a robot to remove the choke in the sewage system at low cost and to completely eliminate the human engagement for this task. A robot of that nature could also be used in critical places where human workers cannot be employed to remove the clog because of physical limitations. An improved design incorporating the improvisations learnt from earlier versions of the developed robots is to be attempted in this project work. The performance of this robot is analyzed through multi body dynamics after incorporating the robot into the work environment. After finalizing the design through the analysis, the robot would be fabricated. Finally the evaluation of the robot performance in real-time would be performed through experimental tests. The control mode would be semi-autonomous initially and then would be made completely autonomous. For convenience, the robot can also be operated manually from outside the sewage system based on the environment and requirement.