This document provides an overview of acoustic pulse reflectometry (APR), a technology for inspecting heat exchanger tubes. APR uses acoustic pulses to detect discontinuities in tubes, such as blockages, holes, or corrosion. It is non-invasive, works on any tube material or configuration, and generates objective inspection reports faster than conventional methods. APR helps industries maintain efficient and environmentally friendly operations by enabling quick and comprehensive inspections of heat exchanger tubes to identify issues for maintenance or refurbishment.

1. acoustic pulse
reflectometry
A N O V E R V I E W
TALCYON w w w . t a l c y o n . c o m
In Non-Destructive Testing

2. I N T R O D U C T I O N
Heat exchangers are
devices used to transfer
heat from one fluid to
another.
Most heat exchangers are
constructed with
hundreds to thousands of
tubes running in parallel,
encased in a metal shell.
A common example for
the use of heat
exchangers is in fossil-
fueled power plants,
where they cool and
condense steam,
pumping cooling water,
such as sea/lake/river
water through the tubes.

3. Heat exchangers can be widely found in industries
such as power plants, refineries, paper mills, HVAC,
food and beverage, chemicals and many more.
Heat exchangers operate 24/7 over long periods
and eventually this will lead to degradation or failure
to operate effectively caused by erosion, corrosion,
abrasion, thermal shock, sedimentation, fouling, etc.
Plant operators are aware of these inevitable issues
and act to inspect their heat exchangers periodically.
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Heat exchangers in a refinery
A view of the inside of
a heat exchanger

4. THE LATEST
TECHNOLOGICAL
ADVANCEMENT FOR
TUBE INSPECTION
A C O U S T I C P U L S E R E F L E C T O M E T R Y

5. Acoustic Pulse Reflectometry (APR) is a technology
which meets the markets demand for speed,
accuracy and objective report generation.
The technology is not tube material or configuration
dependent. It is non-invasive and the report
generation is objective and independent of a highly
trained professional therefore the entire inspection
procedure is much faster than conventional methods.
O V E R V I E W O F
A C O U S T I C P U L S E
R E F L E C T O M E T R Y
Any tube material Any tube shapes
Non-invasive Easy report generation

6. The core technology of APR encompasses an
acoustic pulse traveling down the air enclosed in
the tube.
W H A T I S A C O U S T I C P U L S E R E F L E C T O M E T R Y ?
As long as the pulse does not encounter any
changes in the tube cross-section, the pulse
continues to propagate, with some
attenuation due mainly to friction between
the molecules of air and the tube wall.
If however any discontinuity is encountered,
reflected waves are created, which
propagate back up the tube. The more
abrupt the changes in cross section, the
stronger these reflections are.
Handheld
APR tool
Tube Defect
Acoustic pulse
injected into tubeReturned echo
from defect

7. These reflections are then recorded and analyzed by the software to determine what kind
of discontinuity caused them.
Discontinuities diagnosed include defects such as blockage, holes, corrosion and wall loss.
Impinging
pulse
Reflection from
local blockage
Reflection from
local degration
Reflection from
hole
Different signal patterns signifying the different type of defects.

8. Today’s emphasis on saving the environment brings the importance of well maintained tubes, integrity
testing and inspection to a new meaning. Industry should closely examine its energy consumption and
efficiency and increase the need to quickly and efficiently maintain, inspect and refurbish facilities.
Use of APR technology is enabling both small and large enterprises alike to increase efficiency, safety and
inspection speed. By eliminating sampling, costly downtime of mission critical equipment is avoided.
B E N E F I T S O F U S I N G
A C O U S T I C P U L S E R E F L E C T O M E T R Y
I N T H E I N D U S T R Y

9. TALCYON Tel: (65) 6559 4080 | Email: info@talcyon.com
www.talcyon.com
Apris
Thank you.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ACOUSTIC PULSE REFLECTOMETRY