PROCESSING | OIL AND GAS


Hydrogen hub Strohm recently won a contract from Econnect to provide more than 11km of thermoplastic compos- ite pipe (TCP) for the TES Wilhelmshaven green gas terminal in Germany. The project aims to provide clean energy in the form of green hydrogen, green gas and green power. In the initial phase, the terminal will be used to


import natural gas. TCP is an integral part of the solution, being used for the transfer of gas be- tween the floating storage and regassification unit (FSRU) and the onshore terminal – a distance of about 2km. Strohm will provide six 8in flowlines with a length of approximately 2km each, qualified for transfer of natural gas and prepared for CO2


.


In the second phase, its TCP will be repurposed for liquid CO2


clean hydrogen production, CO2


transport. Using TES’s approach to is a designated


circular carrier to enable cost-effective transport of green hydrogen in the form of synthetic methane. Following capture of the hydrogen, the CO2


is


returned to the green hydrogen production source using the TCP flowlines.


Integrity management Philippe Noury, principal engineer at DNV in Norway, told delegates of a four-year, multi-partner project to develop integrity management systems for thermoplastic composite pipes (TCPs) and reinforced thermoplastic pipes (RTPs). C.PIMS (composite pipe integrity management system) has 13 partners and runs until 2024. Some aspects of the project include: risk evaluation;


Right: Strohm has won a contract to provide


thermoplastic composite pipe for a green gas terminal in Germany


constructing a digital twin; and developing new non-destructive testing methods. For instance, glass-filled PE-based TCPs were


ultrasonically tested to test the interface layers. There was also a test to predict damage evolution, using a flat composite panel with a hole. In addition, four application cases (two for TCPs,


two for RTPs) were defined with enough details for the purpose of running risk assessments. Results becoming increasingly relevant “RTPs and TCPs are gaining in popularity, while


applications – such as deep subsea risers – are becoming more risky,” he said. Future parts of the project include:


l applying ultrasonic and digital X-ray NDT; l developing new NDTs, such as ECT, EMAT and PECT; and,


l experimental work to validate numerical models.


Peek performance Chris Worrall, a consultant at UK-based TWI, explained an innovative way of joining reinforced thermoset resin (RTR) pipes together. “Many thousands of kilometres of RTR are


installed,” he said. “These are in short lengths, requiring many joints.” In collaboration with the Non-Metallic Innovation


Centre, it has devised a way to join these pipes together – using Peek plastic rather than adhesives. This is achieved by using Peek as the joining material, then using either rotary friction (in the factory) or induction welding (in the field) to join the ends of the material (in this case, glass-rein- forced epoxy, or GRE). Peek-coated GRE was welded, then inspected by


microscopy. This led to an apparent lap shear strength of 14MPa. The pipes also went through other tests, including X-ray CT inspection, a push-out test and fracture surface analysis. The researchers also tried several modelling


approaches, including: hyperelastic; equation of state; and a finite element simulation. “The welded joint could compete with the adhesive,” said Worrall. “We are now joining 8in GRE pipes.”


Composite fix Presenters from Petronas that that composite pipe is routinely repaired for offshore applications – but that a risk-based inspection strategy should be implemented to improve standards. It uses a system called RBI-C – which stands for


risk-based assessment for composite repairs – to “allow operators to optimise their maintenance programme in a cost-effective and efficient way.”


18 PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION | October 2023 www.pipeandprofile.com


IMAGE: STROHM


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