Pulse echo CHIME as a tool for non-intrusive inspection of pressure equipment

Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) offers a number of benefits over traditional Internal Visual Inspection (IVI) approaches for pressure equipment. NII is being used increasingly in a range of industries and there is a need for inspection techniques that can rapidly cover large areas yet provide good inspection performance. The CHIME technique, originally developed by AEA Technology for the HOIS Joint Industry Project, is emerging as a highly effective tool that successfully meets a number of NII needs. This paper provides background to how NII planning defines the performance requirements for inspection techniques and identifies those situations for which pulse echo CHIME provides the best integrity management solution. The principles of operation of pulse echo CHIME are described, along with some recent developments that have enhanced its capability. Practical application of pulse echo CHIME in NII is discussed and some examples of recent applications in major NII programmes are provided.