PNL QUALITY EXAMINER

PNL is providing expanded Computed Radiography (CR) capabilities to keep pace with advances in nondestructive technology and protect our environment. CR does not use hazardous chemicals or disposable film like traditional film radiography thereby minimizing the hazardous waste generated. Technologically, CR offers many advantages over conventional film techniques. The three main advantages are: No need for photo sensitive rooms to process film, the absence of chemicals to monitor or dispose of, and easy file sharing for end users in a distribution group; the process creates multiple sets of one shot instead of numerous images.

PNL currently has six CR units that can be used in mobile trucks or set up in any convenient location on a job site or in a laboratory. We continue to provide conventional film radiography for those cases where it is required or needed. PNL is committed to evolving and growing as additional codes and technologies emerge.

Computed Radiography (CR) Project Illustrations

The current water shortages emerging in the booming southwestern United States have prompted the necessity for engineering solutions to transport water from one region to another. These future projects will require nondestructive testing, including CR (Computed Radiography), that PNL provides for pipeline weld joint testing during the pipeline erection process. There are two projects currently in the developmental stages shown below.

Northern Arizona is prone to extreme winter conditions and can be very treacherous for workers at outdoor sites. If you are traveling to northern Arizona, for work, it is important to follow the Arizona Department of Public Safety alerts. The National Weather Service issues several types of advisories for winter weather conditions. Understanding the differences between the three notifications is crucial throughout the winter season. A winter storm ‘advisory’ indicates that wintery weather is expected and advises exercising caution- light amounts of snow precipitation or blowing snow will cause slick conditions. The second, winter storm ‘watch’ means to be prepared; a winter storm could produce heavy snow, sleet or freezing rain. Drive carefully in mountainous areas avoiding cruise control functions. The third is the winter storm ‘warning’ indicating taking action-snow, sleet or ice is expected, causing significant impact including car accidents and injuries from slips, trips and falls.

On December 23, 2022, a 22-year-old woman in Buffalo, New York, died after being trapped in her car for 18 hours during a lethal blizzard.

OSHA guidelines assign the employer to provide recommendations to their employees regarding work-site safety planning. These suggestions include keeping extra clothing handy in case workers get wet, having warm sweetened liquids, PPE, water repellent outer wear, thermal under garments, insulated headgear and foot wear, gloves, and garment closures that retain warmth. Prepare your vehicle by checking tires, wipers, and wiper fluid. One should equip their vehicles with shovels, ice scrapers, sand, blankets, cell phone and charger, road map, safety flairs, first aid kit, water, flashlight with extra batteries, and non-perishable snacks. By comprehending the three winter advisory alerts, and preparing your vehicle and work clothing accordingly, you will be prepared for the upcoming Arizona winter conditions.

William Roentgen was the German physicist, mechanical engineer, and professor who accidentally discovered X-rays in 1895. While he was conducting an experiment with glass tubes, he noticed photographic plates near his equipment were glowing. He discovered the glowing was caused by ‘mysterious’ rays emitted by the glass tube used in his investigation.

Historically, the discovery of the traditional X-ray laid the groundwork for the future of Computed Radiography (CR). In 1980 Computed Radiography officially joined the formal medical diagnostic landscape. Nondestructive testing of welds and components was later developed as a consequence of the radiography application for medical diagnostics.

The radiography utilized in nondestructive testing (NDT), has traditionally used an analog image (film/radiograph). Now technicians can use a reusable phosphor image plate to capture images that is termed Computed Radiography (CR). This method of inspection has many inherent challenges that radiographers must be aware of, and if not addressed properly, can be detrimental to the overall inspection results. For this reason, generation and evaluation of computed images requires additional training, over and above current requirements found in SNT-TC-1A, NAS 410 and CP-189 for conventional radiography. PNL provides this training to our technicians making them well versed and capable of producing code quality computed images.

 CR, as defined by ASTM E1316 (photo stimulated luminescence method), is a two-step radiographic imaging process. First, a reusable storage phosphor imaging plate is exposed to ionizing radiation. Second, the luminescence from the plate’s photostimulable luminescent phosphor is detected, digitized and presented on a high-resolution computer screen.

Managing this process, with the objective of achieving the optimum digital image, is the challenge faced by radiographic practitioners. The overall success is based on the digital image acquisition system utilized, and variables that are consistent with typical radiographic conditions. PNL utilizes Virtual Media Images (VMI) scanners along with Starrview software to create and process images. In our opinion, the VMI 16-bit system, which generates images with 65,536 shades of gray, is one of the best systems for industrial radiography and offers the most user defined flexibility.

Implementing CR begins with a fundamental understanding of the radiographic principles that have been practiced for decades with film radiography and commissioned by the aerospace, automotive, construction, energy, oil and gas, and shipping industries. Certified radiographers are required to understand these principles, along with specific knowledge in the manufacturing and fabrication process to correctly interpret the acquired digital image. PNL’s technicians are well trained in the basic principles of radiography as well as the additional computed technology needed to produce consistent high-quality images.

Due to our current extreme workload, our team was unable to produce a Tech Talk video for this Quality Examiner feature. We take this opportunity to recognize the industrious work of Zander Zuran, CWI, Radiographer Level II. He is an invaluable asset to our organization, and we acknowledge his knowledge, integrity and flexibility, as an expert in conventional and CR (Computed Radiography). Zander has been working at PNL for ten years.