Our project to develop an acoustic emission testing method for chemical storage tanks is another step forward in Eurocontrol's commitment to introduce this technique in Spain. 

About 15 years ago, acoustic emission came to revolutionize the concept of inspection in the gas sector, providing an alternative to hydraulic testing. The new method, which does not require emptying the tank and, therefore, eliminates the visual inspection inside, had clear advantages over the conventional method: greater safety for inspectors, greater respect for the environment and a considerable reduction in the downtime of the activity, which directly affects the production process. On the other hand, it provided much more information than the conventional test and was much more accurate.

After its first application in the gas sector, the use of the technique has spread to other sectors, such as oil and chemical storage. The role of large companies in this process of introducing new technologies and their support for this type of innovation should be highlighted. Thanks to their impetus and to recognitions such as this award, we will continue working to improve industrial processes.