Cost-effective Non-destructive Evaluation by Industry Experts

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A complex challenge

To safely extend the life of your components and reduce, economically, the risk of component failure requires precise knowledge of the materials and structural condition of your generation components. However, the information required may be inaccessible—the piece to be inspected may be located on the inside of a very small diameter tube, in a high radiation area or, cannot readily be removed from service.

Specialized solutions

Kinectrics specializes in developing and applying remotely operated computer-controlled inspection and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) systems for all types of materials and surfaces. Kinectrics’ NDE systems are ideal for the detection, quantification and three-dimensional display of cracks, frets, scratches, wall loss, corrosion pits, laminar flaws and erosion. An industry leader in inspection and NDE, Kinectrics has successfully designed several innovative and proven products and services for one of North America’s largest utilities.

Expert custom services

Kinectrics provides complete inspection and mechanical systems engineering services from on-site inspection of selected components to the custom design and commissioning of complete turnkey systems. And, our expert team can help utilities and industries such as nuclear, aerospace and petrochemical, adapt existing technologies to suit new configurations. Kinectrics gives you the advantage of complete broad-based capabilities and state-of-the-art facilities provided by an internationally recognized industry leader.

• Leading Edge NDE Technologies: High-resolution profilometry, ultrasonics, acoustic emission, camera/video technologies, machine vision, thermography, eddy current
• Sophisticated, Computerized Delivery System Engineering: Mechanical and electro-mechanical design, manufacturing and commissioning, particularly of remotely operated, very small mechanisms requiring precise positioning and movement
• Automated Process Control: Integrated computerized control of inspection and NDE systems, including automated scanning, high-speed data acquisition and elegant user interface design
• High Speed Data Analysis and Reporting: Analysis routines that rapidly scan high volume of data for pertinent information and report results in formats tailored to user needs
• Field Services: On-site inspections, new technologies applications.
• Technical Support and Results Interpretation: Expert interpretation of critical data and recommendations for mitigation strategies based on years of in-depth NDE experience

• Expert Custom Solutions: Kinectrics provides solutions designed for your specific needs

TRUSTIE (Tiny Rotating Ultrasonic Tube Inspection System)

Kinectrics originally custom-designed the TRUSTIE system for CANDU reactors. TRUSTIE can inspect and monitor degrading/damaged small diameter tubing in steam generators and heat exchangers for corrosion, cracking and deformation. The system has eliminated the need for plugging in a number of steam generator tubes.

FRILS (Flaw Replica Inspection Laser Scanner)

FRILS is a structured light micro-profilometer that gathers precise three-dimensional information from a surface. Kinectrics originally designed FRILS to provide fast, detailed depth and sharpness measurements of pressure tube flaws.This, and other Kinectrics-designed optical profilometry systems, have been applied to both nuclear/non-nuclear situations, including measuring erosion on steam turbine blades, roughness on cable insulation, and the sizing of cracks in piping.

EPIC (End Plate Inspection for Cracks)

EPIC is a high resolution, ultrasonic inspection system for locating and sizing cracks in highly radioactive nuclear fuel assemblies. Its remotely controlled scanner operates underwater in an irradiated fuel bay using Winspect™ software for sophisticated scan control, data collection and display. EPIC has performed flawlessly on the job. Its accuracy in defect detection and sizing capabilities has been corroborated by independent destructive examination. Kinectrics EPIC technology is available for high precision inspection applications in difficult or hazardous environments.

General Non-destructive Evaluation (NDE)

• Optical profiling of piping flaws and defects
• LP turbine disc inspection
• Remote and robotic technologies for I&M
• NDE performance demonstration
• NDE data Acquisition, analysis, signal processing and data management
• Leak location system for steam generator tubes

Vibration Monitoring

• Diagnostic troubleshooting of flow-induced vibration problems in piping, valves, heat exchangers, pumps, structures, rotating equipment
• Multi-channel monitoring systems and software to correlate mechanical degradation/failures with process system changes/transients
• In-situ structural analysis using modal analysis and forced deflection techniques
• Vibro-acoustic loose parts monitoring
• Application-specific transducer signal measurement/analysis/presentation systems, signal conditioning, signature analysis, data management, active/feedback control
• "Virtual" Labview instrumentation development
• Internet/Intranet remote monitoring systems

Miscellaneous

• Machining and prototyping
• Inspection tooling and components design

CANDU

• Steam generator ultrasonic (TRUSTIE) and field support
• Pressure tube inspection
  • CIGAR/ANDE (Flaw detection, gauging)
  • TSS (Deuterium in pressure tube measurement)
• NDE sensors and systems
  • Calandria Internals
  • Online measurement of PHT feeder pipe thinning
• ALIS (Acoustic Leak Inspection System)

For more information, contact

Kevin Maynard, 416.207.6000 x5477, kevin.maynard@kinectrics.com

Related links:

CANDU Pressure Tube Testing (FRILS)

Steam Generator Testing

Steam Generator Leak Detection