Contact Buffalo to discuss NDT Inspections for your company.
Head Office: 3867 Roper Road Edmonton, AB T6B 3S5
Toll Free: 1.800.634.8588
Phone: 780.486.7344
Fax: 780.486.4685
NDT Inspection Services:
Buffalo Inspection Services can help ensure that your refinery, turbine/generator, and other critical operation components meet your material integrity standards. Early detection of flaws and stresses can prevent unexpected shutdowns.
With a complete offering of NDT inspection services for your oil, gas or power generation facility, Buffalo provides exceptional value through our asset management, Level III auditing, and ability to detect flaws sooner with a high POD (probability of detection).
Pressure Equipment Integrity Management
Non-destructive inspection and testing of pressure and processing equipment, storage tanks and pipelines in the petroleum and power generation industries are a Buffalo specialty. Along with comprehensive inspection services, repair expertise, corrosion assessment and prevention.
Above Ground Storage Tank (AST) Inspections
Buffalo Inspection Services tank inspectors are certified to API 653 for tank inspection, repair, alteration and reconstruction. These professionals are supported by Buffalo’s CGSB certified inspectors and also have the complete support of the company’s integrity and materials staff.
Radiography (RT)Ultrasonic (UT) & TFMMagnetic Testing (MT)Penetrant Testing (LP)Visual Inspection (VT)24/7 Callout Service
Oil, Gas & Power Generation Radiography (RT)
Buffalo Inspection Services provides radiography services at both our gigantic shooting bay and in the field right at your site location. Our expertise is in utilizing penetrating X (generated x-ray) or Gamma (Iridium 192) radiation to examine welds, components and structures for flaws that could be detrimental to continued operation or lead to unexpected asset loss.
Mobile Radiography & Darkrooms
When you need radiography on location trust Buffalo to be there. With a massive network of RT inspection crews across Western Canada, we’re always close by to perform scheduled or 24/7 emergency NDT inspections on your job site.
On-Premise RT Bunker & Darkroom
Our Edmonton inspection facility consists of an advanced shop and large concrete x-ray bunker perfect for inspecting your components before entering the field. Engineered to provide safety to surrounding areas while offering a large enough space to allow for a wide variety of pieces to be examined, our bunker and darkroom offer cost effective RT inspection solutions for your new-construction installations.
Pipeline Ultrasonic (UT) & TFM Inspections
Buffalo provides the most advanced UT inspection methods available today. Utilizing both PAUT and TFM technologies we are able to accurately, and cost effectively detect manufacturing flaws (lack of sidewall fusion, lack of root penetration, lack of root fusion, porosity, etc.), in services flaws (fatigue cracking, stress corrosion cracking, corrosion, erosion, etc.) and parent metal flaws (inclusions and laminations) in your pipelines.
M2M GEKKO TFM
The new M2M GEKKO architecture fits perfectly within our advanced services ecosystem as it allows for comprehensive inspection of a broad range of equipment and materials. The Gekko system combines standard PAUT / TOFD and conventional ultrasonic capabilities with impressive additions such as TFM (Total Focus Method), all in the same portable system. Read more about the M2M GEKKO capabilities here.
Time of Flight Diffraction
Most ultrasonic techniques rely on receiving specular reflections from defects, even if only from particular facets. Time of flight diffraction (TOFD) detects flaws using the signals diffracted from the flaw’s extremities.
The TOFD technique is well suited for the detection and the sizing of all types of embedded flaws, especially those planar in nature.
Magnetic Testing (MT) in the Oil, Gas & Power Generation Industry
Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI or MT) is an extension of visual inspection. This critical technique for non-destructive testing (NDT) is used for the detection of surface and near-surface flaws (discontinuities) in ferromagnetic materials.
A magnetic field is applied to the test piece, either locally or overall, using a permanent magnet, electromagnet, flexible cables or hand-held prods. If the material is sound, most of the magnetic flux is concentrated below the material’s surface. However, if a flaw is present, such that it interacts with the magnetic field (disturbs it), the flux is distorted locally and “leaks” from the surface of the specimen in the region of the flaw.
We can detect this leak by applying fine magnetic particles to the surface of the specimen. These particles are attracted to the area of the “flux leakage” creating a visible indication that there is a flaw. The materials commonly used for this purpose are black iron particles and red or yellow iron oxides. In some cases, the iron particles are coated with a fluorescent material enabling them to be easily viewed under an ultraviolet lamp (black light) in darkened conditions.
Mobile MT Inspection Services
Our portable power packs, yokes and equipment provide the foundation for Buffalo Inspection Services to provide fast and reliable magnetic particle examinations with a multitude of approved techniques. These include visible and fluorescent in both wet & dry formats and can be performed just as easily in a fabrication shop or out in the field.
Liquid Penetration Testing (LP)
A number of different liquid penetrant inspection systems are used in the non-destructive testing (NDT )industry today. Fluorescent penetrants are normally used when the maximum flaw sensitivity is needed. However, these penetrants must be viewed under darkened conditions using an ultraviolet light source (black light). This may not always be practical, so the more commonly used LPI systems used are solvent removable or water washable red dye systems (Visible Contrast). These systems typically are comprised of three components, being 1) a cleaning fluid, 2) the dye penetrant, and 3) the developer. These systems, regardless of type, are often used to check weld quality during fabrication.
Despite being one of the most popular NDT methods, liquid penetrant testing (examination) is often incorrectly conducted. Test surfaces are not cleaned adequately, the contact time (dwell times) between the penetrant and the test surfaces are too short, or the excess penetrant is removed carelessly (i.e. from the flaws and discontinuities as well as from the test surface). For these reasons, Buffalo Inspection Services ensures that our technicians whom carry out liquid penetrant inspections are trained and certified to CGSB and ASNT/SNT-TC-1A.
Visual Inspections (VT) for Oil, Gas & Power Generation
As the need became more and more prominent for visual inspection, Buffalo Inspection Services rose to the challenge and formed our own Visual Inspection Department.
Visual inspection is one of the most important inspection methods. All successful NDT and Quality Systems start with a good visual inspection program. This inspection starts before welding even takes place to ensure the proper material (such as steel, tools and equipment) fit the requirements of the job. Visual inspection continues through the entire job by ensuring the welders are using the proper welding procedure(s), that rod ovens are at the proper temperatures, and the quality of the weld in process.
Visual inspection is also used for verifying the quality of the finished product. This can include such factors as dimensional checks, proper heat numbers, and a visual assessment of the quality of the weld itself. Visual inspection can enhance the efficiency as well as the quality of all jobs and is an essential part of the building and fabrication process.
Advantages of Visual Inspections
- Inspection performed rapidly and at low cost
- Ability to inspect complex sizes and shapes of any material
- Minimum part preparation required
Limitations of Visual Inspections
- Surface too be inspected must somehow be accessible to inspector or visual aids
- Surface finish, roughness and cleanliness can interfere with inspection
- Only surface defects are detectable
24/7 Oil, Gas & Power Generation Call Out Inspections – 780.975.6475
Buffalo’s dispatch is ready to take your call for all of your oil, gas & power generation NDT inspection needs.
Buffalo Inspection Services Offices
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