Wind & Energy – NDT Solutions

Non-Destructive Testing Solutions on Primary Areas of the Wind Turbines

(Tower, Hub, Nacelle and Turbine Blades)

Wind Turbines inevitably go through challenging lifecycles causing deterioration and end up costing wind farm operators an extortionate amount of money to fix and in many cases instigating them to start all over again from scratch. Decommissioning or conducting major renovations are expensive paths to go down, as is operating a turbine below peak performance causing high costs and inefficiencies. To ensure a healthy lifecycle, it’s important that wind turbines are regularly inspected and maintained for as long as they are in operation.

SONOMATIC RAIS team of highly trained technicians provide ACFM and Phased Array Bolt Inspections for wind turbines and their component parts during multiple stages of their lifecycle to ensure the best performance and minimal costs for the operators.

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Techniques to Cover all Key Components of the Wind Turbine.

Level 1 2 and 3 Rope Access and NDT Technicians from Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and NDT Inspection Services provide a full range of services for the inspection of all areas of the wind turbines
Primary Areas of Wind Turbines that should be Inspected
  • Tower
  • Hub
  • Nacelle
  • Turbine Blades
Tower – Key Components - Danger Points
  • Ancillary Bolts
  • Flanges
  • Circumferential Welds

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) on Ancillary Bolts

Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services conduct Non Destructive Testing NDT on Wind Turbine Bolts - Scan showing the results of NDT on bolts of a wind turbine
Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services conduct Non Destructive Testing NDT on Wind Turbine Bolts - Scan showing the results of NDT on bolts of a wind turbine
Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services conduct Non Destructive Testing NDT on Wind Turbine Bolts - sketch showing the results of NDT on bolts of a wind turbine
Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services conduct Non Destructive Testing NDT on Wind Turbine Bolts - Scan showing the results of NDT on bolts of a wind turbineloading=
Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services conduct Non Destructive Testing NDT on Wind Turbine Bolts - sketch showing the results of NDT on bolts of a wind turbineloading=

Phased Array (PAUT) is an advanced method of ultrasonic testing that has applications in medical imaging and industrial testing. When applied to metals the PAUT image shows a slice view that may reveal defects hidden inside a structure or weld. Sonomatic RAIS offers Phased Array Bolt Inspection using state-of-the-art technology covering a wide range of applications from corrosion mapping to crack detection and characterisation in welded pipes and plates and can handle thick components, and detect and characterise misoriented defects.

Benefits include:
  • Fast screening of bolts
  • Bolts can be inspected whilst in-situ
  • Instant results
  • Fully recordable PAUT data for auditing, insurance, accountability and archiving

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) on Flanges

Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services conduct Non Destructive Testing NDT on Wind Turbine Flanges - sketch showing the results of NDT on flanges of a wind turbine
Non destructive testing performed by Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services Technicians on wind turbine flanges using a bespoke pencil probe
Non destructive testing performed by Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services Technicians on wind turbine flanges using a bespoke pencil probeloading=

Phased Array UT is used to look for fatigue cracks propagating from the bolt holes. Alternating Current Field Measurement (ACFM) is used to inspect the Flange Welds.

Benefits include:
  • Fast screening techniques
  • Early detection of fatigue cracks
  • Flange can be inspected with bolts in place
  • Fully recordable data for auditing, insurance, accountability and archiving

Circumferential Welds

TOFD Time of Flight Diffraction is performed by Sonomatic Level 3 wind turbine inspectors from Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection services team for circumferential welds
Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services provide wind turbine inspection for circumferential welds using top of the range equipment
TOFD Time of Flight Diffraction is performed by Sonomatic Level 3 wind turbine inspectors from Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection services team for circumferential welds
Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services provide wind turbine inspection for circumferential welds using top of the range equipmentloading=
TOFD Time of Flight Diffraction is performed by Sonomatic Level 3 wind turbine inspectors from Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection services team for circumferential weldsloading=

PAUT and or TOFD (Time of Flight Diffraction) can be utilized to inspect circumferential welds.

Benefits include:
  • Fast screening techniques
  • Early detection of fatigue cracks
  • Fully recordable data for archiving
  • Original data can be recalled for comparison with any repeat inspection data to monitor any defect growth

NDT ON HUB

Using a drone Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services Technicians perform Non destructive testing on wind turbine Hubs
Non destructive testing performed by Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services Technicians on wind turbine Hubs
Using a drone Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services Technicians perform Non destructive testing on wind turbine Hubs
Non destructive testing performed by Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services Technicians on wind turbine Hubsloading=
Using a drone Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services Technicians perform Non destructive testing on wind turbine Hubsloading=

General inspection of the wind turbine hubs.

SONOMATIC can perform either a general visual inspection (GVI) or close visual inspection (CVI) on the wind turbine Hub. Drone inspections are performed by using the most rugged, reliable UAS – made in America by Saxon Remote Systems.

Benefits include:
  • Extremely fast and reliable NDT technique
  • Ability to detect external damage
  • Can be performed by rope access or drones (From within the same Team)

NDT ON NACELLE

Schematic showcasing where Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services Technicians can perform NDT on the wind turbine Nacelle
Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services conduct Non Destructive Testing NDT on Wind Turbine Nacelle - sketch showing the results of NDT on nacelle of a wind turbine
Schematic showcasing where Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services Technicians can perform NDT on the wind turbine Nacelle
Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services conduct Non Destructive Testing NDT on Wind Turbine Nacelle - sketch showing the results of NDT on nacelle of a wind turbineloading=
Schematic showcasing where Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services Technicians can perform NDT on the wind turbine Nacelleloading=

Deep penetrating Phased Array UT (PAUT) can be performed on the Main Rotor Shaft.

Benefits include:
  • The Shaft can be inspected while in-situ
  • Early detection of any fatigue defects
  • Fully recordable data for insurance, archiving, auditing etc.

NDT ON TURBINE BLADES

Technicians of Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services perform Non Destructive Testing NDT on wind turbine blade cross sections
Wind Turbine NDT technicians perform blade scans for clients as part of the services provided by Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services
Technicians of Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services perform Non Destructive Testing NDT on wind turbine blades and blade defects
Technicians of Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services perform Non Destructive Testing NDT on wind turbine blade cross sections
Wind Turbine NDT technicians perform blade scans for clients as part of the services provided by Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Servicesloading=
Technicians of Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services perform Non Destructive Testing NDT on wind turbine blades and blade defectsloading=
Technicians of Sonomatic RAIS Rope Access and Inspection Services perform Non Destructive Testing NDT on wind turbine blade cross sectionsloading=

Spar Cap and Shear Web Bonding

Large aperture low-frequency PAUT probes can be utilised to look for lack of bonding on the Spar Cap and Shear Webs

Benefits include:
  • Rapid screening technique
  • Blades can be inspected while in-situ using rope access techniques
  • Early detection of delamination’s
  • Fully recordable data for archiving auditing, insurance, accountability and archiving
An image of the UKAS Inspection 4276 logo

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