RAPID DETECTION OF BIOCORROSION

Microbilogically influenced corrosion (MIC) has been shown to be a leading cause of internal corrosion and failures in marine tubing and piping systems. A technique is proposed to identify and characterize MIC-affected tubing and piping through the use of advancced and cost-effective NDE methods. The concept is based on a noncontact, laser-based sensor assembly that employs data fusion of laser-based profilometry and flourescence spectroscopy data obtained by a single probe. The resulting inspection system will be able to scan the length of a tube or pipe rapidly and accurately and generate a detailed topographic map of the internal surface. Superimposed on this image will be a color map that identifies the presence of MIC. The results will be displayed in a number of computer-graphic formats that will allow operators to both qualitatively and quantitatively assess the level and severity of wall loss due to pitting and determine the presence and extent of MIC-affected surfaces. The system will significantly advance the state of the art of NDE and will operate cost-effectively on both tubing and piping.