Weld inspection procedures are of major importance in pipe line construction where weld quality is essential to insure public safety and to eliminate environmentally harmful leaks. Current practicve is to x- ray each weld, process the film and assess the weld integrity. This process is slow and often delays construction when inadequate welds are discovered long after the weld is completed. Real time inspection of welds with x-rays is possible providing the x-ray image is recorded electronically rather than photographically. The electronically recorded image can be processed rapidly to ascertain weld quality during the welding operation and data on weld integrity can be used to adjust the welding process. This research program involves the initial design of a real time weld inspection system. Specific tasks will include: determination of radiographic performance requirements for pipelines, development of electronic detection methods and system requirements, determination of heat shield methods for the detector and system analysis to establish the time required for inspection. Sigma Research is an R&D firm which has expertise in advanced NDE methods. They are involved in developing piping inspection methods for other sponsors which entail real time radiography systems. This research can draw on results of previous developments. The principal investigator has ten years experience in radiographic methods of NDE and is capable of successfully completing the proposed program. An award is recommended.
