APR (Acoustic Pulse Reflectometry)

[mechcolor]

Has anybody experienced APR (Acoustic Pulse Reflectometry) at their site?
How do you compare APR with ECT for exchanger tubes?

[arcpro]

Just heard about it from a colleague some time ago.
I would also be interested in knowing about its utilization comparing to ECT. I will dig through some literature, references and share my findings.

[mechcolor]

I will also share some of the reference links I found for APR.

[sakib321]

ya i know about this technique
one of personnel from company mentioned below came for it demo

http://www.rutledgeh2s.com/

as per his demonstration me not think so it equivalent to ECT

[arcpro]

APR in comparison to ECT:
1. Complete tube health statement. Scanning of tubesheet around the leaking tube-to-tubesheet joint is a question I am not confirmed about.
2. Applicable on all tube materials
3. No worries for bends, applicable to U-bends inspection also
4. Performs inspection in lesser time
5. Probe insertion inside the tube ID along the length is not required

[mechcolor]

APR detects only changes in the inner diameter of tubes.

This means that:

A) will detect wall loss due to local corrosion such as pitting and local erosion, such as end of tube erosion.
B) will detect blockages
C) will detect through wall holes
D) will NOT detect external flaws
E) will NOT detect closed cracks
F) APPART of the detectability issues above, APR is much faster and simple to operate than ECT.

[arcpro]

So, what do you say mechcolor about replacing ECT with APR?