Initial results on magnetic flux leakage (MFL) diagnosis device

Abstract

Magnetic flux leakage (MFL) is among the famous and expensive technique in large scale oil and gas pipe diagnosis system. This technique apply strong magnetic fields to detect any strange in the inner surface of the pipes such as corroded, crack or other symptoms which is bad to the pipe condition. The aim of this research is to develop a small scale, low cost and portable magnetic flux leakage (MFL) diagnosis system which suitable in to detect the defect the inner side of steel pipe or steel tank structures. Other than industries, the possible application of this research is in the hospital piping and medical tanks. Through this system, the liquid or material inside the pipe or tank no need to take out, and this will not disturb the inside process. This non destructive developed system applies a coil together with Hall Effect sensor that senses the strength of the generated magnetic flux. The detected magnetic flux is then converts to voltage value by the Hall Effect sensor. The value of the converted voltage is different depends on the magnetic flux density, and this flux density will base on the types of the pipe or tank surface. The condition of the surface is then display on the LCD which is also part of the new developed MFL system.