ASTM_E_2906_-_E_2906M_-_13.pdf

Designation:E2906/E2906M13Standard Practice forAcoustic Pulse Reflectometry Examination of Tube Bundles1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2906/E2906M;the number immediately following the designation indicates the yearof original adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A superscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This practice describes use of Acoustic Pulse Reflecto-metry(APR)technology for examination of the internalsurface of typical tube bundles found in heat exchangers,boilers,tubular air heaters and reactors,during shutdownperiods.1.2 The purpose ofAPR examination is to detect,locate andidentify flaws such as through-wall holes,ID wall loss due topitting and/or erosion as well as full or partial tube blockages.APR may not be effective in detecting cracks with tightboundaries.1.3 APR technology utilizes generation of sound wavesthrough the air in the examined tube,then detecting reflectionscreated by discontinuities and/or blockages.Analysis of theinitial phase(positive or negative)and the shape of thereflected acoustic wave are used to identify the type of flawcausing the reflection.1.4 When proper methods of signal and data analysis aredeveloped,APR technology can be applied for sizing offlaw/blockage indications.1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound unitsare to be regarded separately as standard.The values stated ineach system may not be exact equivalents;therefore,eachsystem shall be used independently of the other.Combiningvalues from the two systems may result in non-conformancewith the standards.1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E543 Specification for Agencies Performing NondestructiveTestingE1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations2.2 Other Documents:SNT-TC-1ARecommended Practice for NondestructiveTesting Personnel Qualification and Certification3ANSI/ASNT CP-189 ASNT Standard for Qualification andCertification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel3NAS-410 Certification and Qualification of NondestructiveTest Personnel43.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsSee Terminology E1316 for general termi-nology applicable to this practice.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 acoustic pulse reflectometrya technology fordetecting,locating and analyzing sound reflections caused bydiscontinuities and abrupt changes on the internal surface oftubes and pipes as a response to an induced acoustic signalwithin the examined structure.3.2.2 reference signala measured signal from a typicaltube in the examined bundle without flaws or blockages.Reflections in the reference signal indicate structural featuresof the tube,probe or adaptor.3.2.3 signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)the ratio of the signalsRoot Mean Square(RMS)to RMS of the noise signal.3.2.4 output gainthe gain of the sound-source amplifier.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 onNondestructive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.10 onSpecialized NDT Methods.Current edition approved March 1,2013.Published March 2013.DOI:10.1520/E2906_E2906M-13.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Available fromAmerican Society for Nondestructive Testing(ASNT),P.O.Box28518,1711 Arlingate Ln.,Columbus,OH 43228-0518,http:/www.asnt.org.4Available from Aerospace Industries Association of America,Inc.(AIA),1000Wilson Blvd.,Suite 1700,Arlington,VA22209-3928,http:/www.aia-aerospace.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 4.Summary of Practice4.1 This practice describes the use of APR technology todetect,locate and identify flaws and blockages in tube bundles.4.2 The practice describes typical APR apparatus and pro-vides guidelines for:4.2.1 APR system setup and performance verification.4.2.2 APR examination and evaluation of examination re-sults including signal analysis,indication detection,location,identification and sizing.4.2.3 Preparation of examination report.5.Significance and Use5.1 APR technology is used for detection,location andidentification of internal diameter(ID)flaws-indications andblockages in tube bundles.5.2 Reliable and accurate examination of tube bundles is ofgreat importance in different industries.On-time detection offlaws reduces a risk of catastrophic failure and minimizesunplanned shutdowns of plant equipment.Fast examinationcapability is of great importance due to reduct