ACOUSTIC EMISSION WITH HIGH SENSITIVITY FOR VALVE LEAK DETECTION

Abstract

Acoustic emission (AE) sensors have been used to record AE signals in a straight pipe with a valve. In addition, multiple AE sensors on the valve body were used to increase the sensitivity of the leak detection. Simultaneous data collections from the sensors were performed to observe the changes of AE signals in the pipe sections and the valve. The recorded root mean square (RMS) and peak amplitude data that were used in the data analysis indicated an identical pattern of AE results in the leaked valve. However, the use of the RMS signals on the gas valve indicates more significant leakage signals from the sensors that were used in the test and one of the valve sensors indicated the highest RMS reading, which may be due to the internal leak that was close to the position of the sensor.
Keywords: Non-destructive testing; acoustic emission; pipeline; valve inspection; internal valve leak.

Description