MultiPhonon: Advancing In-Service Non-Destructive Testing Through Phonon-Based Technology

MultiPhonon is an advanced phonon-based NDT technology enabling non-intrusive, in-service inspection of pipelines, pressure vessels, tanks, and complex structures. By analyzing phonon behavior within metallic materials, the system detects active defects without shutdowns or operational disruption, offering a new approach to asset integrity assessment.

The inspection of critical industrial assets has traditionally required shutdowns, intrusive access, or limited sampling methods—often resulting in high costs, operational disruption, and incomplete integrity assessment. Recent developments in phonon-based non-destructive testing (NDT) are now providing new pathways for accurate, in-service inspection under normal operating conditions.

MultiPhonon (Advanced PDT) is an advanced NDT technology, a patented inspection method based on the analysis of phonon behavior within metallic materials. Phonons—quanta of vibrational energy propagating through a material’s crystal lattice—are influenced by structural changes such as corrosion, cracking, wall loss, and stress-related damage. By monitoring these variations, MultiPhonon enables the detection of active defects without requiring direct access to the internal surface of the asset.

The technology is specifically designed for in-service inspection, allowing pipelines, risers, pressure vessels, storage tanks, and other complex structures to be evaluated while remaining fully operational. Inspections can be performed without depressurization, insulation removal (except at sensor locations), confined-space entry, or production interruption.

MultiPhonon supports multiple inspection configurations—including Linear, Planar, and Volumetric modes—to accommodate a wide range of asset geometries and operational conditions. From long-range pipeline assessment to full volumetric inspection of pressure vessels and tanks, the system provides comprehensive coverage with a high probability of detection.

Field deployments have demonstrated the technology’s effectiveness across offshore and onshore environments, including FPSOs, refineries, terminals, and upstream facilities. In several projects, large numbers of assets have been inspected within compressed timeframes, with inspection results and final reports delivered rapidly—supporting informed integrity decisions without operational impact.

The Phonon Diagnostics Technique (PDT) and the MultiPhonon (Advanced PDT) system were developed and patented by Phonon Diagnostics Technologies Ltd., a UK-based technology company specializing in advanced inspection methods for asset integrity management. The global deployment of the technology is supported through specialized service providers with trained and certified inspection teams.

By enabling zero-downtime inspection, reducing safety exposure, and improving defect detection coverage, MultiPhonon represents a significant advancement in the application of phonon-based methods within the field of non-destructive testing. As asset owners continue to seek reliable, data-driven alternatives to conventional inspection approaches, technologies such as MultiPhonon are contributing to the evolution of modern in-service NDT practices.

The global application of MultiPhonon inspections is supported by SHARK Consulting FZ LLC, an international inspection and engineering services company headquartered in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. SHARK Consulting operates as the exclusive global service provider for MultiPhonon technology, delivering in-service inspections across offshore and onshore environments. With extensive field experience, internationally certified personnel, and a strong focus on safety and quality, SHARK Consulting ensures consistent, reliable execution of phonon-based inspections worldwide. The company has completed projects across multiple continents, supporting asset integrity programs for major oil, gas, and energy operators under normal operating conditions.

Further Information

For more information about the MultiPhonon inspection technology, including technical details, applications, and field case studies, visit the official website at www.multiphonon.com.

To view inspection demonstrations, technology overviews, and real-world project videos, visit the official MultiPhonon YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@MultiPhonon

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