PROVUS, developed by PETROBRAS, utilizes pulse-echo ultrasonic transducers designed to withstand high pressures, ensuring accurate detection of pipeline corrosion. The study details the manufacturing process of these transducers, which involves using a vacuum mixer to eliminate air bubbles during the assembly of the epoxy layers. This process significantly improves the durability of the transducers under high-pressure conditions. Despite some instances of detachment of the alumina-epoxy layer after pressure loading cycles, the transducers demonstrated reliable performance once repaired.

Special transducers with pure epoxy resin frontal layers exhibited superior resilience in pressure tests, highlighting the importance of the construction process over specific layer compositions. The electrical impedance and sensitivity of the transducers remained stable before and after pressure testing, validating their reliability.

The findings offer a robust framework for deploying NDT technologies in ultra-deepwater applications, contributing to safer and more efficient subsea oil and gas operations. Continuous research and refinement of these technologies are essential to address the evolving challenges of ultra-deepwater exploration and production.

Read the full article at Science Direct.