Ahead of the upcoming Non Destructive Testing 2017 seminar, we spoke to Richard Day, Senior NDT Manager at RWE npower. Richard explains his role and involvement in non-destructive testing (NDT) and examination, the number one challenge for NDT and what developments in methods and techniques he is most interested in for the future.
Richard has worked extensively within the NDT sector for 37 years - 33 years of which have been associated with the power generation industry. He is currently a Senior NDT Engineer with RWE Generation UK responsible for delivery of NDT solutions for coal, gas and renewable generation assets. In addition, he has responsibility for NDT apprenticeships at RWE, contributing to the development of the next generation of NDT personnel. He is a member of the British Institute of Non Destructive Testing (BINDT) and chairs the Certification Management Committee of the Institute.
Q: Could you briefly explain your role, involvement and experience in non-destructive testing and evaluation?
Richard Day: Provision of NDT services to our portfolio of power generation plant. To understand in-service degradation mechanisms and defect morphology and to develop NDT methods capable of detecting and sizing them. Once new inspection processes have been developed, to design training and in-house qualification programmes to ensure that NDT personnel are fully competent in the types of defects they are likely to encounter in a power generation environment.
Q: What are you most looking forward to by attending and presenting at Non Destructive Testing 2017?
RD: To have the debate around certification of NDT personnel; ownership of responsibility in demonstrating competence i.e. the individual, the NDT organisation, the employer or the end user of the service.
Q: What is the number one challenge being faced with non-destructive testing and evaluation?
RD: The current demographic profile of NDT personnel – attracting new apprentices, technicians and engineers into the profession as the current generation retires.
Q: What developments in NDT methods and techniques are you most interested in for the future and why?
RD: Eddy Current arrays that have the potential to offer a surface inspection technique with high P.o.D, sensitivity and repeatability of complex geometry components in critical rotating plant applications.
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