The design and calibration of particular geometry piezoelectric acoustic emission transducer for leak detection and localization

Abstract

Pipeline leak detection using an acoustic emission (AE) method requires highly sensitive transducers responding to less attenuative and dispersive wave motion in order to place the discrete transducer spacing in an acceptable approach. In this paper, a new piezoelectric transducer geometry made of PZT-5A is introduced to increase the transducer sensitivity to the tangential direction. The finite element analysis of the transducer geometry is modeled in the frequency domain to identify the resonant frequency, targeting 60 kHz, and the loss factor. The numerical results are compared with the electromechanical characterization tests. The transducer response to wave motion generated in different directions is studied using a multiphysics model that couples mechanical and electrical responses of structural and piezoelectric properties. The directional dependence and the sensitivity of the transducer response are identified using the laser-induced load function. The transducer response is compared with a conventional thickness mode AE transducer under simulations and leak localization in a laboratory scale steel pipe.

Numerical approach to absolute calibration of piezoelectric acoustic emission sensors using multiphysics simulations

“…Isotropic damping is considered in each of the sensor model. The damping ratio is calculated according to the mechanical quality factor , and is measured by the ratio of the equivalent reactance to the equivalent resistance of the losses in vibrating element using the following equation [39]:…”

“…shows the components and pictures of four piezoelectric AE sensors modeled in this paper. Three resonant types of AE sensors, including micro30s and R6 sensor manufactured by Mistras Group Inc. and an unpackaged PZT sensor, referred herein as cut-PZT[39] are tested. Additionally, wideband piezoelectric AE sensor manufactured by Acoustics Technology Group is used for validating the numerical models.…”

Pipeline In-Line Inspection Method, Instrumentation and Data Management

“…Thus, this technique does not require any couplant medium and can produce a wide range of patterns [ 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 ]. It shows the potential in austenitic weld inspection [ 69 , 70 , 71 ]. It can be applied for non-contact inline pipeline inspection with low efficiency.…”

Influence of Initial Phase Modulation on the Sensitivity of the Optical Fiber Sagnac Acoustic Emission Sensor

“…If AE signals can be detected and located by sensors, their accurate position can be provided for damage evaluation and timely repair of the equipment [5][6][7][8]. Therefore, many efforts have been made to develop various sensors for detecting AE signals [9,10].…”