TesTex BFET Claw Inspection

Inspection of HRSG Tube to Header Weld

• We adapted the Balanced Field Electromagnetic Technique (BFET) to inspect the tube to header welds in HRSG units for cracking. The BFET sensors and cameras are placed on the welds using a C-clamp housing called the “Claw” that attaches to the tube. This modular design means 360% coverage on each tube to header weld; its small size can allow for inspection of the second row of tubes in most cases.
• Once attached, the Claw moves circumferentially around the weld to detect cracking, lack of fusion, porosity and other weld defects
• No surface preparation is needed to perform the Claw inspection
• The Claw can detect indications down to 0.200” below the test surface
• A two man team can examine up to 200 tube to header welds in a shift
• Used for inspection of tube diameters from 1.5″ (38mm) to 3″ (76.2mm)
• Cameras are used to show contour of weld to help in analyzing the BFET data

The Claw Device

• The TesTex Claw device is designed to latch on to the tube and be rotated by hand or for tubes in the second row there is an attachment to allow you to rotate it from a distance. TesTex developed this tool in house with our Solution’s Provider Group. Not only do we provide inspection services but we also sell the equipment in case you have your own inspection team.
• The large image shows a close up of the Claw, the inset shows the Mini-Claw inspecting the second row of tube welds in a header.