Launchpad, November - December 2003
For a full list of proposed, active and closed projects see here
Development of phased array and swept frequency guided wave long range ultrasonic techniques for fitness-for-service assessment of pipe corrosion
Launched: September 2003
Cost per sponsor: £15 000 pa, two payments
Project Leader: Aamir Khalid
The guided wave Long Range Ultrasonic Technique (LRUT) has been shown to be capable of inspecting pipe for several tens of metres from the point of access, even when the pipe is buried or under insulation. More sophisticated operation of the equipment will allow identified defects to be quantified, and the discrimination defects from signals generated by welds, bends, branches and other geometric features in the pipe. This project aims to develop guided wave LRUT as an assessment tool as well as a screening tool. It will validate the performance of the more sophisticated use of guided wave LRUT including using phased arrays and swept frequency, and provide guidelines for its successful operation in industry.
Acceptance criteria for pitting corrosion of CRA in oil and gas production environments
To be launched: November 2003
Cost per sponsor: £25 000 pa, two payments
Project Leader: Stuart Bond
New oil and gas developments frequently require selection of a CRA, either solid or lined/clad on steel substrate, to mitigate against corrosion, but optimum selection is necessary to avoid excessive material costs whilst ensuring safety. Alloys may be prone to pitting corrosion in such conditions necessitating laboratory testing, but acceptance criteria are not standardised. This project aims to develop acceptance criteria to differentiate between incipient pitting in short term tests and acceptable in-service performance to optimise material selection and qualification.
Repair of alloy 718 components during manufacture for the oil and gas sector
To be launched: December 2003
Cost per sponsor: £10 000 pa, two payments
Project Leader: David Harvey
Alloy 718 is becoming increasingly used by the oil & gas sector for components requiring high strength and corrosion resistance. Components such as tubing hangers require significant machining during manufacture, but occasionally minor dimensional errors may occur for which PWHT after-weld repair is impractical necessitating scrapping of the component. However, significant benefit to industry would be derived from avoidance of delay in material procurement and the need to re-manufacture components if minor repair without PWHT was acceptable. This project will develop the procedures and demonstrate material performance after repair for oil and gas applications.
Evaluation of methods for obtaining material properties data from plant in-service
To be launched: January 2004
Cost per sponsor: £15 000 pa, two payments
Project leader: Afshin Motarjemi
This GSP will compile and evaluate the available methods for obtaining material properties data for fitness-for-service assessment and life extension of plant in-service. When spare material is not available for testing, or not relevant to the condition of the plant, it is necessary to use material from the plant itself. This can be done by removing and testing a small sample of material or by using a non-destructive test method such as indentation. Advice will be provided on the application of each method and the confidence that may be placed in the results. Further testing may be undertaken where existing data is insufficient. Ways of making a welded or other repair to reinstate equipment where a sample has been removed will be examined. Enquiries about this project should be addressed to the project leader above.
Evaluation of techniques for repairing corroded or leaking pressure equipment
To be launched: January 2004
Cost per sponsor: £20 000 pa, two payments
Project leader: Ian Partridge
The project will compile and evaluate the performance of available techniques and products for repairing corroded or leaking pressure equipment (eg bandaging, liquid metal polymer, clamped pads, welded patches). The uses and limits of each technique/product will be assessed from product literature and users' service experience. A programme of testing will be devised in conjunction with the Steering Committee to test the performance of certain techniques/products/components under different conditions of surface finish, temperature, pressure, bending and fatigue loads. Enquiries about this project should be addressed to the project leader above.
