BKC Industries, Inc. specializes in requalification and refurbishment of Department of Transportation (DOT) compressed gas tube trailers and ASME ground storage assemblies. We also specialize in the fabrication of stainless steel manifolds and field repair service work on ground storage vessels. Our company has over 30 years of experience in the compressed gas industry and we are here to meet any type of compressed gas service needs.
Hydrostatic Testing and Requalification
BKC Industries, Inc. is a United States Dept. of Transportation (DOT) approved facility for the requalification of DOT, UN, and ISO specification compressed gas cylinders and tubes. Our facilities and equipment can accommodate tubes up to 24 inches in diameter and 40 feet in length. We can offer our clients a 10 year requalification period where permitted. If you have a configuration of tubes that need to be requalified, we offer various testing methods. Please contact us to discuss the best method of testing for your application.
Acoustic Emission Testing
Acoustic Emission Testing is essentially the use of sound to detect potential flaws in whatever is being tested. Requalification by Acoustic Emission Testing (AE) and Ultrasonic Examination (UE) has been granted to TEA Technologies, Inc. under a Department of Transportation Special Permit number 12629 (DOT-SP 12629) in lieu of hydrostatic testing for DOT 3AX, 3AAX, 3T, 3AA, and 3A tubes. TEA Technologies, Inc. has the latest acoustic emission equipment and is staffed by ASNT Level II technicians and a Level III Senior Review Technologist. We offer AE/UE testing at each of our facilities and our technicians are able to field test as well.
Benefits of Acoustic Emission (AE) Testing
- Dry gas is used to pressurize the tube in lieu of water which keeps the tube cleaner
- Can test the unit at lower pressure with the use of gas instead of water
- Test equipment is mobile and can be brought to the customer for onsite testing
- UE can be used to further examine an anomaly
- May not require disassembly, resulting in a faster turnaround
Ultrasonic Examination
Occasionally, a tube will require further examination. Our technicians are certified to perform Ultrasonic Testing if a tube shows a potential flaw on the AE test. Essentially, an ultrasonic pulse is applied to the “flawed” area(s) to confirm the location and size of the defect(s).