Inspection of protective linings using microwave spectroscopy combined with chemometric methods

A novel non-destructive method for quality control of new protective linings on a metal substrate and an assessment of their state during their service life using microwave spectroscopy within a wide frequency range from 6.5 to 13 GHz is described. The data obtained were processed by chemometric methods to reduce the dimensionality of the experimental data sets and to help visualise results. Theoretical fundamentals of the method are outlined. Results for the rubber linings with a thickness of 10 mm operating in a scrubber of wet flue gas desulphurisation units are presented.

► A novel non-destructive method for quality control of protective lining was described.
► Chemometric approach to analysis of data was presented.
► It has been demonstrated that chemometric methods can be effectively used to simplify complicated spectral data sets.
► Presented method allows investigation of very thick high-performance linings.