I have to admit to some apprehension before attending this event. Was it going to be the usual conference sales pitch or would there be some real customers giving us the truth! Well it turned out (with a couple of exceptions) to be the latter.

"This is one of the best conferences I've attended this year." "I was impressed by the quality of papers." These comments sum up the feedback we got from attendees to Ultrasound World held at Clearwater in Florida. It turned out to be one great learning experience thanks to the quality of speakers, exhibits and attendees. Visitors from Europe, Asia, South and North America came to learn and to connect with other ultrasound inspectors making the conference a truly international event.

Starting off with John Schultz' inspiring key note address "It's All Right To Get Excited About Maintenance" right through Roger Earley's short course on data management, we all came out with very useful information. We learned how Phelps Dodge saved $1.8 million dollars from their compressed air audits and how to use ultrasonic spectral analysis as a valuable diagnostic tool and much more.

One of the presentations at Ultrasound World was from Richard Sargent and Fred Trachte of the United States Postal Service. They explained how the U.S Postal Service is making headway in their PdM program. They told us how they are using ultrasound technology to monitor bearings and reduce downtime. The exciting part here is that they are demonstrating tremendous savings. In one year after initiating their ultrasonic program they had reduced targeted breakdown by 80%, significantly reducing their maintenance costs per 1000 pieces processed.

We have received a number of requests for a copy of Roger Earley's short course on Data Management using Ultratrend DMS. If you wish to get a copy, send an email to info@alpine-components.co.uk or call 01424 437000. It's a great training aid to help set up your databases and procedures.

Due to the success of this conference, we have scheduled Ultrasound World II for November 6-9, 2005 at the Clearwater Beach Hilton, Clearwater Beach, Florida. I am confident that it will be worth the journey and your time. If any Alpine customers feel that they would like to make a presentation at this event please give me a call.

If you are going to be looking for leaks underground we can recommend three approaches: Ultrasound, Helium detection and Infrared. With the first option here's a tip that will make it easier to listen. Gravel, asphalt and concrete are rough surfaces. Looking for underground leaks means changing your frequency to 20 kHz (due to mode conversion). When using the contact probe with the extension rods, rough surfaces will produce an crackling noise every time the surface is touched. To avoid this with little acoustic impedance, try using metal coins or metal slugs. Place the coins/slugs along the pipe path about 1-3 feet apart and touch the coins/slugs. The noise from the rough surfaces will be eliminated and since metal is a good sound conductor you should be able to locate your leak. This works best on gas pipes or other pipes that have been drained of liquid and then pressurised with nitrogen or air.

Helium detection is also a great way to find underground leaks. Helium (balloon gas is generally used) is flooded through the pipework under test and depending on test conditions etc allowed to remain in the pipework for 20-30 minutes. Helium molecules (which are very small and lighter than air) rise through the ground at leak points and are detected by an instrument such as the helitest. It is best to use the telescopic probe for this operation as it has a rubber cup around the probe which seals the area and lessens the effect of wind which would dilute the sample. This technique does not require pilot holes to be drilled at points along the cable or pipework to capture gas as helium rises to the surface.

Using an infrared camera to find underground leaks is most effective with liquids or steam. For example at Heathrow airport there are numerous underground pipelines transporting steam to heat up buildings. On one occaision it was clear that there was a leak in one of these pipes. The pipe was very close to Terminal 1, under a very busy road. Steam was seen from two inspection pits in the road so it was clear that the leak was between the two. Unfortunately they were lying more than 60 metres apart and it was impossible to see the leak site with the naked eye. Using an infrared camera however it was possible to determine the exact location of the leak within seconds. The road only needed breaking open close to the leak site which minimised the disruption and significantly reduced the cost of the operation.

The Ultraprobe 2000 is used throughout the Petrochemical, Pharmaceutical and Power industries to find leaks (both pressure and vacuum), check valves/ steam traps, monitor bearings and detect electrical arcing. It is also featured as part of the "No Leaks" strategy implemented by UKOOA (United Kingdom Offshore Oil Association). It is intrinsically safe and now meets both ATEX and Factory Mutual approvals:

• ATEX Approved - II 1 G EEx ib IIC T3
• Factory Mutual Approved - Class 1, Division 1, Groups A, B, C and D

The ATEX approval means that the Ultraprobe 2000 ATEX can be safely operated in the group IIC which is the most dangerous explosion group (this includes Hydrogen).

If you are baffled by the sound a steam trap makes or whether electrical equipment is arcing or tracking go to our application page on the website and listen! We've recently incorporated these sounds recorded on the Ultraprobe 10000 using the integral flash card. In time we should be able to produce a library of wave files from malfunctioning operating equipment!

http://www.alpine-components.co.uk/applications/

It is always good to receive your feedback on any product we have sold or rented. If you have a success story that you would like to share with others in a future newsletter, then please do get in touch.

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