External tube inspection
Reliable tube assessment from the outside. FOERSTER’s External Tube Inspection uses advanced eddy current and laser measurement to examine reformer tubes directly inside the furnace. The method identifies cracks, creep and wall defects across the full tube wall — precisely, contact-free and fully repeatable. Proven in demanding process environments worldwide.
The external tube inspection process provides a detailed, non-destructive evaluation of centrifugally cast reformer catalyst tubes under real operating conditions. FOERSTER’s system combines full-wall-penetrating eddy current testing with multi-axis laser measurement to detect cracks, creep and dimensional changes along the entire tube length — from the furnace floor to the roof.
A newly integrated Tube Deflection Measurement module enhances this analysis. Using a MEMS-based inclinometer, it records tube bowing over the full length, revealing structural deviations, thermal imbalance or catalyst-related effects at an early stage.
Because the inspection requires no couplant or tube cleaning and the sensors operate electronically with stable lift-off conditions, the results remain highly consistent across inspection cycles. Operators can clearly distinguish between cracking, creep or combined mechanisms — ensuring reliable condition monitoring and supporting stable, safe and efficient reformer operation.