Acoustic emission sound source localization for crack in the pipeline

This paper investigates the use of acoustic emission (AE) for simulated crack in a stainless steel pipeline. An approach to liner sound source localization in pipeline using two or more acoustic sensors is described, and rules to define timing parameters - peak definition time (PDT), Hit definition time (HDT) and Hit lockout time (HLT) of acoustic emission signal is studied in order to improve the sound localization accuracy. Experiments were conducted on a stainless steel pipeline with no special features, such as branch, weld, and flange on the experimental part. The detail process of Nielsen-Hsu Pencil Lead Break method which is used to simulate the crack, and main considerations in acoustic emission transducer selection are also introduced in this paper.