BWX Technology at ASNT: Discover its bubble cover system!

From Houston, Texas during the ASNT 2023 annual conference, Richard Blaser from Inspenet had the pleasure of interviewing Ryan Pickard, a mechanical engineer at BWX Technology, a company that is setting the pace in the field of nondestructive testing (NDT).

Challenging Conventionality: The Bubble Cover System

One of the highlights was the discussion of their bubble cover system, designed to address the persistent problem of bubbles in dip tanks, a common enemy in ultrasonic testing. As Ryan explains, the goal was to develop a system that allows you to “pump water directly into a dip tank, very quickly and then start your testing right away,” highlighting the system’s ability to fill a large tank in about an hour and a half, ready for testing without delay.

Bubble Emptying Technology That Makes a Difference

At the heart of the system is a “variety of filtration systems to remove dissolved gases,” meaning that water coming in “straight from your tap” comes out bubble-free, ready to use. This efficient and fast approach is crucial for industries where downtime translates into significant costs.

Capabilities and Market Outlook

Although BWX Technology’s showpiece operates at approximately one gallon per minute, its actual system handles ten gallons per minute and fits in the space of a small refrigerator. This capacity is not only impressive but also a potential game changer in the industry, as Ryan suggests, “We believe this is a very unique product, one that we hope to bring to market.“

BWX’s Role in the NDT Industry

BWX Technology is no stranger to innovation. With a dedicated research and development group, they represent a large corporation and company in the industry that deals with nuclear manufacturing in particular. Their focus is on developing technologies for non-destructive testing, a variety of systems, either Eddy Current or UT Inspections, with a specialization in UT inspection and various applications.