Eclipse Scientific has provided one-of-a-kind solutions to businesses across the globe, from 200M below sea level to inside a nuclear reactor. With their unique experience Eclipse can approach these problems with a different perspective and can offer the most effective and advanced solutions.
Below are a few examples of the exceptional solutions from Eclipse.
NDE In Service Inspection of AECL NRU Vessel in Chalk River, Ontario
 Eclipse Scientific Inc. performed an NDE inspection of the inner wall of the NRU reactor vessel in the spring of 2011. This inspection was required for AECL to obtain a fitness for service after weld repairs to the inner wall were performed in 2010. The repairs were required to increase the wall thickness of the vessel wall where thin sections existed due to corrosion on the outer wall. Some of the repairs incorporated small plates into the weld buildup on the reactor's inner wall. The inspections were performed with the heavy water and most of the nuclear fuel still present in the reactor.
There were three main objectives for the NDE inspection. First, the wall thickness of the reactor was to be measured both in the areas of the weld repair and the areas beside the weld repair. Second, the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) around the weld repairs needed to be inspected for any defects. Third, the surface of the weld buildup and the welds around the repair plates needed to be inspected for defects. Both ultrasonic (UT) and eddy current (ET) techniques were used for the inspection. All UT and ET techniques were performed while immersed in heavy water.
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Non-Destructive Testing Subsea Mooring Chain Links
In 2012 Eclipse was approached with creating a solution for inspecting links of a mooring chain at subsea level. The proposed scanner would be attached to an ROV, be driven down 200M below sea level and simultaneously conduct a UT and ACFM inspection.
 There were many obstacles to overcome both mechanically and ultrasoniclly. Restraints to weight and size required a custom motor to be created. It had custom designed gears that needed to be durable, lightweight, self lubricating and have protection against corrosion. The scanner itself utilized a self aligning universal clamp that could inspect different chain sizes without switching out any parts. Cable management, water sealing and pressure were all issues that had to be addressed.
The UT inspections themselves also required special considerations as there were unique problems. Uneven surfaces, limited scan areas and velocity changes that take place at subsea levels were just some of the complications that had to be overcome.
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