Boiler Water Tube Thickness Measurement Guide Pipe
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for measuring the thickness of boiler water tubes using insertion-type ultrasonic waves require significant incidental work, such as cutting and restoring the tubes, leading to a prolonged work period and decreased working rate.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a guide pipe with a closing member, where the pipe is connected to the boiler water tube at an angle of 5 to 60 degrees, allowing the ultrasonic probe to be inserted and extracted without cutting, thereby reducing the necessary work period and improving operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an inspection hole is formed by cutting the boiler water tube to insert the ultrasonic probe, then the thickness measurement can be performed, but the working rate of the boiler decreases due to the extended work period required for cutting and restoration
Solution Approach 1:
A guide pipe is pre-installed in the boiler water tube before operation, with a closing member that can be removed when measurement is needed. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for cutting and restoration work, allowing the ultrasonic probe to be inserted quickly through the guide pipe while maintaining the boiler's working rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide pipe serves as an intermediary structure that facilitates the insertion of the ultrasonic probe into the boiler water tube. Instead of directly cutting the tube, the probe is inserted through the guide pipe, which acts as a mediator. This approach enables measurement without damaging the boiler water tube, thus maintaining productivity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the guide pipe is connected perpendicular to the boiler water tube, then installation is simple, but air pockets form at the base end when the closing member is attached, affecting measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The guide pipe is designed with an asymmetric inclination angle of 5 to 60 degrees relative to the boiler water tube axis. This asymmetric orientation prevents air pockets from forming at the base end when the closing member is attached, ensuring accurate thickness measurements while maintaining reasonable installation complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly shortens the work period required for thickness measurement, enhances operational efficiency, and allows for easier emergency inspections by eliminating the need for cutting and restoration, while maintaining stable boiler operation.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a thickness of a boiler water tube (10a) by irradiating an inner circumferential surface of the boiler water tube (10a) with an ultrasonic wave from an ultrasonic probe (18)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An inspection hole (17) is formed on a side surface of a boiler water tube (10a) in a longitudinal direction, a base side of a guide pipe (16) is connected to the inspection hole (17), and usually, a closing member (24) is attached to the guide pipe (16). In a case where the thickness of the boiler water tube (10a) is measured, the closing member (24) is released from the guide pipe (16), an ultrasonic probe (18) is inserted into the boiler water tube (10a) from a tip side of the guide pipe (16), and the ultrasonic probe (18) is moved in the boiler water tube (10a).