Corrosion under insulation (CUI) is possibly the greatest unresolved asset integrity problem in the industry. Current methods for measuring wall thickness over insulation (liftoff) without removing it all have severe limitations. Now, Eddyfi introduces Lyft — a high-performance reinvented pulsed eddy current (PEC) solution. This patent-pending system features a portable, state-of-the-art instrument, real-time C-scan imaging, fast data acquisition (up to 15 readings per second) with grid-mapping and dynamic scanning modes, and flexibility with long cables and an extension pole. The Lyft standard probes can also scan through thick metal and insulation, as well as aluminum, stainless steel, and galvanized steel weather jackets. Who else but Eddyfi to reinvent an eddy current technique and redefine CUI programs.

Lyft is offered in two models: the powerful GD model capable of dynamic and grid mapping, and a lighter G model offering conventional grid mapping only. Unique to Lyft—Wall Thickness Measurement Tool for Smaller Flaws Under sizing is a well-known phenomenon for PEC where defects smaller than the probe’s averaging area appear shallower than they really are. The Lyft’s compensated wall thickness (CWT) tool mitigates this phenomenon by quantifying the minimum wall thickness of a specific region in a C-scan. The CWT tool’s specialized algorithms isolate a defect’s contribution to the A-scan signal to more precisely compute its minimum wall thickness.

The Lyft solution includes three standard probes of different sizes for the right balance between wall thickness and liftoff. The probe family allows enough flexibility to support metal up to 64 mm (2.5 in) thick, insulation up to 203 mm (8 in) thick (fiber glass, plastic wrap, concrete, or other non-ferrous materials), as well as stainless steel, aluminum, and galvanized steel weather jackets. It is possible to scan through thicker pipe walls and insulation—inquire for details. The probes can also inspect hard-to-reach areas of various geometries, as well as scan walls and pipes as small as 25 mm (1 in) in diameter. Standard probes are equipped with a retractable encoder enabling grid mapping and dynamic scans, and a keypad for easy remote operation. Accessories include an extension pole (up to 4.6 m / 15 ft), extension cables (15 m and 30 m / 50 ft and 100 ft) for rope access, as well as probe shoes to operate on surfaces as hot as 120°C (248°F) and to attenuate vibrations in galvanized steel weather jackets.

The tank floor probe enables the in-service inspection of storage tank annular rings. With its 4.8 mm (0.2 in) thick, super-thin titanium blade, the probe can slide up to 400 mm (16 in) under tank floor edges, assessing the remaining wall thickness of this critical region exposed to corrosion. The embedded remote controls and status LEDs are also perfect for one-person operation. The splash zone probe can tackle offshore applications, thanks to its rugged design, watertightness to 10 m (32.8 ft) in grid-mapping mode, and 20 m (65.6 ft) heavy-duty cable. The splash zone probe is flexible enough to support metal up to 64 mm (2.5 in) thick and insulation or marine growth up to 152 mm (6 in) thick.

The Lyft instrument is sealed and designed for IP65. Its magnesium alloy casing is tough, water and dust resistant, and cools without any external air exchange. The adjustable stand, the top handle, and four corner anchor points make it practical for on-site inspections. The embedded and portable Windows® PC offers standard connect-anywhere capabilities and advanced productivity tools that optimize field testing. The premium-quality 26.4 cm (10.4 in) LED display is optically bonded, non-reflective, comes with 3 mm (1/8 in) strengthened glass, and is designed for gloved hands, under any lighting conditions. The system also comes with two, hot-swappable batteries for extended battery operation.