Ultrasound - zinc kettle

Ultrasound technology is utilized in the galvanizing industry to inspect the integrity of the crucial zinc kettle without having to drain or halt its operation.

Non-Destructive Inspection

This specialized application involves using Ultrasonic Testing (UT), a non-destructive test (NDT) method, to assess the thickness and structural condition of the kettle's steel walls.

1. Purpose: The continuous, intense heat (around 450 degrees celsius and action of molten zinc cause the steel kettle walls to slowly thin over time. UT is performed to detect this wall thinning or the formation of cracks or lamellar defects.
2. Mechanism: A high-frequency sound wave is pulsed into the kettle wall. The time taken for the wave to travel through the steel and return is precisely measured. As the wall thins, the travel time decreases.

Regular ultrasonic inspection is mandatory for predictive maintenance. It allows plant engineers to accurately monitor the kettle's remaining service life, preventing catastrophic and highly hazardous failures that would result from a breached containment vessel.