PRODUCTION • PROCESSING • HANDLING
the surface and their mechanisms; and when the surface of a metallic structure is wet. Tis information allows an operator to assess the corrosion type being caused, enabling timely intervention and thus reducing failure frequency and its associated operational costs. Tere are many additional benefits to using sensors to monitor corrosion. Te continuous monitoring of an asset’s condition delivers confidence in its integrity status, while providing information about any impending degradation. Non-invasive and low cost, they can check known corrosion hotspots, difficult to access locations and essential safety-critical areas. Trough enabling proactive inspections, the sensors also support through-life asset management processes, as users can carry out maintenance and replacement of ageing equipment based upon its recorded condition rather than a fixed timescale. Te complementary advanced modelling software uses the sensor data to create a probabilistic corrosion model
of the area being monitored, based on degradation mechanisms. With inspection required reduced to a minimum, costs are reduced, while rapid download of the recorded electrochemical data empowers quick decision-making, based upon the projected rate of degradation. Potentially, users may be able to save the cost of replacement, through taking remedial action before failure. Safety can also be facilitated, through the combination of sensors and modelling, as the active monitoring of the asset condition delivers early warning of faults or corrosion areas. Te data gathered can even inform future design requirements.
WHAT’S NEXT? Currently, the sensor has been constructed, and has been tested within a laboratory environment. Te results have demonstrated that the technology and methodology is capable of sensing in situations analogous to under insulation. Te next stage is to undertake ‘proof of concept’ testing, in a real-life
environment, and Frazer-Nash and the University of Southampton are seeking partners that would be interested in taking part in this activity via the ITF. Te data gathered will be used to demonstrate the value of the modelling software. It is hoped that, following field testing, the sensor and software can be launched to market and will benefit the oil and gas industry, and others struggling with the problem of detecting CUI. l
REFERENCES 1
Hays, George F., Now is the Time,
World Corrosion Organization 2
US Central Intelligence Agency, The
World Factbook,
http://www.cia. gov/library/publications/the-world- factbook/rankorder/
2117rank.html
Jonathan Douglas is group leader of the Materials Performance group at Frazer-Nash.
www.fnc.co.uk
NEW CORROSION-RESISTANCE SOLUTION A
ssets in high impact environments, such as offshore installations, can
now benefit from Oxifree’s corrosion and contamination protection, following the launch of Oxitape. The new solution is a protective shell that guards Oxifree’s TM198 thermoplastic coating from abrasion and impact damage in areas subject to heavy environmental impact as well as equipment that is buried underground. Corrosion costs the global oil and gas industry more than US$60 billion a year, with the offshore industry particularly vulnerable. Offshore environments provide the perfect conditions for corrosion, from salt water to wave slam to impact from support vessels. Offshore operators across the globe are already saving millions
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of dollars by protecting assets with Oxifree. Oxitape brings the benefits of Oxifree TM198 to an even wider range of applications and environments by protecting the coating from environmental and accidental damage. Oxitape is simply applied over the
top of the Oxifree TM198, providing a defensive shell that offers complete protection from contact as well as corrosion and contamination. While ensuring maximum protection, both Oxifree products are easily removed, making it easy to conduct inspection and maintenance. Ed Hall, MD of Oxifree, says: “One of the biggest challenges facing the oil and gas sector is how to increase asset lifetime, and reduce the costs associated with shutdowns and unscheduled maintenance caused by corrosion. This challenge
becomes even more difficult in offshore installations, which operate in some of the most inhospitable environments on the planet. “Previously, operators had no
choice but to accept that assets would have to be replaced regularly; with the launch of Oxitape, however, they can bring the benefits of Oxifree’s TM198 coating to a much wider range of applications, assets and environments, providing them with unbeatable protection against corrosion and contamination.” l
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