Pipeline Inspection Utilizing Ultrasound Technology: On the Issue of Resolution

Today, in-line inspection tools are used routinely to assess the integrity and fitness-for-pur-pose of high pressure pipelines. Ultrasound technology provides the means to obtain quan-titative, highly accurate and reliable inspection data for pipelines. In addition, advancements in electronic design have led to marked enhancements regard-ing axial and depth resolution. Combined with higher speed capabilities than previous gen-erations of ultrasound tools, this has significantly extended the range of application, offering quantitative and high accuracy data for defect geometries not previously covered. This paper will focus on and discuss the issue of resolution.