Standard Guides:Welding Piping ASME API Asset Matrix

🐘 Tusker VaultSpecializedUltrasonic • IRIS

Internal Rotary Inspection System (IRIS)

Method Overview

Precision ultrasonic immersion testing technique for scanning the internal and external wall integrity of heat exchanger tubes.

Core Method Specifications

Technique IDIRIS

AcronymIRIS

CategorySpecialized

ModalityUltrasonic

Standardized Report TemplateISO 17020 Ready

IRIS-Standard-TemplateTest in Sandbox

Target Applications & Governing Standards

1 Scopes Configured

Heat Exchangers & Boilers

ASME Sec V Art 4

Target Assets / Components:

Ferrous & Non-Ferrous Heat Exchanger Tubes

Detectable Defects & Anomalies:

• Internal Wall Thinning• Outer Diameter Erosion• Pitting Sizing

Method Limitations & Operational Boundary Conditions

Critical physics limits, thermal envelopes, blind spots, and ASME Sec V / API procedural boundaries for IRIS.

Level III Procedure Control

Operating Temp Envelope

Standard Envelope5°C to +45°C (41°F to 113°F) immersion water temperature

High-Temp CapabilityStrictly limited below 50°C (122°F); elevated water temperatures depolarize the ultrasonic transducer

Water couplant temperature shifts ultrasonic velocity (1480 m/s at 20°C); thermal velocity drift must be calibrated.

Thickness & Dead Zone

Min Thickness0.8 mm (0.032 in) minimum wall thickness

Max RangeTube internal diameter (ID) range from 12 mm to 76 mm (0.5 to 3.0 in); wall thickness up to 8.0 mm

Near-Surface Dead Zone

Ultrasonic ringdown creates a dead zone in the first 0.5 mm of internal wall

Surface Condition & Couplant

Roughness & PrepInternal tube bore MUST be thoroughly cleaned to bare metal (hydro-lanced at 10,000–20,000 psi)

Coating ToleranceInternal coatings or scale absorb ultrasound and disrupt the turbine mirror reflection; tubes must be uncoated

Couplant / Media

Continuous filtered clean water supply delivered at 30–50 psi to drive turbine and flood tube bore

Geometry & Orientation

Orientation Sensitivity

High-speed rotating 45° mirror spins ultrasound beam 360° around tube bore, providing total circumferential wall measurement

Clearance:Open tubesheet channel head clearance for probe insertion and continuous water umbilical hose

Critical Blind Spots

•U-bends: Cannot inspect the bend portion of U-tube heat exchangers
•Severe internal pitting with sharp angles that scatter ultrasonic sound away from the rotating mirror
•Air bubbles in water supply line causing complete loss of ultrasonic backwall signal

False Indication Trap:

Off-centering of the probe centralizer carriage causing distorted elliptical thickness readings

Recommended Cross-Validation

APRView Method

Rapid 10-second pre-screening of entire bundle to identify leaking or plugged tubes prior to IRIS cleaning

NFTView Method

Fast electromagnetic screening of carbon steel fin-fan cooler tubes

Level III Code Compliance Directive:ASME Section V Article 4 mandates calibrating rotation speed and axial pull rate (typically 50–100 mm/sec) against an ASME standard EDM notched tube.

Technique-to-OEM Compatibility Matrix

Verified manufacturers, instrument models, and diagnostic portals supporting IRIS.

3 Verified OEMs

Evident Scientific

Global leader in advanced optical, ultrasonic, and radiographic inspection technologies (formerly Olympus Scientific Solutions).

Modalities:UTPAUTETVTRVI+3 more

OEM Profile Evident Connect Portal

OEM Site

Advanced non-destructive testing conglomerate encompassing Eddyfi electromagnetic arrays, Silverwing tank floor scanners, Teletest guided waves, Inuktun robotic crawlers, and M2M phased array instruments.

Featured IRIS Hardware:

Eddyfi Ectane 2 Multi-Technology Tube Inspection System

Modalities:ETMFLPAUTACFMPEC+6 more

OEM Profile Eddyfi Support Center

OEM Site