Digital Radiography supports large-scale Asset Integrity Program

Following an incident within a refinery process unit, a major asset integrity program was initiated to assess the condition of critical piping systems across a large industrial installation. The objective was clear: verify the integrity of critical assets, identify potential accelerated internal corrosion, and confirm material compliance across thousands of piping components and welds. 

As part of this multi-year inspection campaign, TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium is providing a broad range of non-destructive testing (NDT) services, including Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT), Positive Material Identification (PMI), Penetrant Testing (PT), Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), and radiographic examinations. 

A particularly important contribution within the project is the implementation of Digital Radiography (DR) using modern Digital Detector Array (DDA) technology.  

During the project, more than one hundred critical piping parts were inspected using DR, allowing a non-intrusive inspection for localized material loss (due to corrosion and/or erosion) at the inner surface of the piping while the piping remained in-service. 

Multiple critical areas were identified which allowed the customer to schedule replacements or repairs in order to ensure a safe operation of the plant. 

Digital radiography (DR) offers significant advantages over traditional film radiography because images are acquired and displayed almost instantly, eliminating film processing time and chemical handling. In addition, digital images can be stored, shared, and compared electronically, supporting more efficient inspection workflows and long-term corrosion monitoring. 

Compared with computed radiography (CR), DR delivers higher productivity because it uses a flat-panel detector that captures the image directly, without the intermediate imaging plate that must be scanned after exposure. This results in faster inspection times, immediate feedback in the field, and often a better signal-to-noise ratio and image quality, particularly for corrosion profiling and wall-thickness evaluation in piping.  

By combining decades of radiographic expertise with state-of-the-art digital technology, TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium delivers reliable inspection data that supports informed asset integrity decisions while improving efficiency, accessibility, and long-term traceability. 

This project demonstrates how innovation, technical expertise, and flexibility can be combined to meet evolving industry needs and provide tangible value to asset owners operating critical infrastructure.