Rutledge is in the process of extending its current operations and services to further cater to the needs of our Clients by providing comprehensive Tube Inspection/ Evaluation services. We are introducing an advanced and innovative tool in the field of Non-Destructive Testing that uses Acoustic Waves to evaluate the integrity of tubes in heat exchangers, boilers, chillers, reactors etc.

Our technicians, with the help of a computerized inspection system and advanced software, are able to detect internal tube flaws such as holes/leakages, blockages, erosions and pitting with a great deal of precision and speed (less than 10 seconds per tube!). Monitoring your tubes condition will help you increase your productivity and efficiency.

Acoustic Pulse Reflectometry is a technology dealing with propagation of specially designed acoustic waves in tubes. Changes in the tube cross-section generate reflections. Identifying and analyzing those reflections enable monitoring of the tube integrity. This analysis is based on the fact that every defect has its unique signature. This is schematically shown below along with a schematic of reflection signatures of typical flaws such as holes/leakages.

Schematic of Probe

Signature Type of Defects

This is a powerful, advanced and innovative system that is easy to operate, capable of self-analyzing and generation reports. Due to the advanced software we can get Instantaneous Inspection Results. Since the technology does not require a physical traversal of a probe to the entire length of the tube and since the acoustic pulse is traveling in the air inside the tubes and not on the wall material, it is not depended on the tube configuration and conformation - any tube material (SS, copper, nickel, brass, pvc) with any shape (fin-fan, u-tube, s-shape, Y/T joints) can be inspected.