METHOD OF ACOUSTIC EMISSION TEST AND DIAGNOSTICS OF UNDERGROUND RESERVOIRS TO STORE LIQUEFIED GAS Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: nondestructive testing and diagnostics. SUBSTANCE: method can be used to test and diagnose technical condition of underground cylindrical horizontal reservoirs for storage of liquefied gas in process of their usage by signals of acoustic emission. Proposed method consists in detection of leaks through shutting gears and through flaws in material of object of test. With this in mind primary converters are mounted on part of reservoir neck above ground. Decision on detected leak is made on basis of analysis of values of noises recorded by acoustic emission system. For evaluation of zone of location of defects and degree of their risk additional primary converters are placed on upper generator of shell, one of them being set behind reservoir neck. For detection of defects with indication of their coordinates on object of test there are installed additional primary converters forming rectangular location network: one per each bottom of reservoir and two groups of three primary converters as minimum on shell. The latter are uniformly placed over circumference in sections of shell perpendicular to shell axis on both sides of neck and one converter from each group is positioned on upper generator of shell. EFFECT: decreased labor input and enhanced authenticity of test and diagnosis of technical condition of underground reservoirs for storage of liquefied gas. 2 cl, 2 dwg