Long Range Ultrasonic Testing (LRUT), also called Guided Wave Ultrasonic Testing (GWUT), lets TechCorr inspect 100+ feet of pipe from a single ring of transducers. It is the screening tool of choice for insulated, elevated, buried, and road-crossing pipelines where stripping insulation or excavating is impractical.
What is Long Range Ultrasonic Testing?
LRUT launches low-frequency ultrasonic guided waves axially along a pipe from a collar of transducers. The waves travel the full pipe wall and reflect back from features — weld caps, supports, and critically, wall loss. The return signal is analyzed to flag and locate corrosion, cracking, and erosion anywhere along the screened length.
When should I use LRUT?
LRUT is a screening tool best applied where access is limited: insulated lines, elevated pipe racks, crossings under roads or rail, and long straight runs between valves. It reduces the need to strip insulation or excavate, which is where the real cost savings come from. For Pipeline Integrity programs, LRUT prioritizes dig lists and insulation-removal scopes.
How accurate is LRUT?
LRUT reports features as a percentage of pipe cross-section area loss and locates them by distance from the collar. It does not measure remaining wall directly — every flagged area is confirmed with conventional UT or PAUT. Used this way it fully supports API 570 inspection planning and risk-based inspection.
Can LRUT inspect pipes that are in service?
Yes. LRUT works through most product and operating temperatures, so lines stay running. This makes it a cornerstone of Online Monitoring for hard-to-isolate circuits.
What pipe sizes and materials can be inspected?
TechCorr applies LRUT to carbon steel, stainless, and clad pipe from 2-inch to 48-inch diameter. Our crews mobilize from regional offices with the collar kits and confirmation UT in one mobilization.
What credentials back TechCorr's LRUT?
LRUT is performed by ASNT Level II/III technicians with guided-wave method certification, and reports are reviewed by API 570-certified inspectors. Contact us to scope an LRUT survey.