Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_WWU_027 | |
| Title | Orbis Oxifree (TM198) Corrosion Coating | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials) 50%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 50%; |
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| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given Wales and West Utilities |
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| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 June 2014 | |
| End Date | 01 May 2016 | |
| Duration | 23 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £24,482 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Technical Consultancy | |
| Region | Wales | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (100.000%) |
| Web Site | https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/nia_sgn0045/ |
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| Objectives | The objectives are to: Establish to what degree the validation testing for the offshore environment aligns with the validation requirements of the GB gas distribution environment, and to identify any testing gaps that may exist. Perform any offline material/application testing as identified in the above objective to give confidence that the Oxifree coating presents no risks if used on GB gas distribution assets. Trial the application of the Oxifree coating on a variety of networks assets to enable the following aspects to be assessed and determine: Costs for the application of the system for various asset types against existing costs of repair. Practicalities of using the coating system in a GB gas distribution network and the challenges of the varying environments. The performance of the technology over a six month period as compared to similar assets that have not received protective treatment. In order to determine whether this project has been successful, the following key milestones will be achieved: Testing to determine whether the product can reach a point where no further offline testing is required. Assessment as to whether further testing will be required of applied coating Upon approval, a range of assets as identified by GDNs as part of the project are to be trialled with Orbis Oxifree Corrosion Coating. Inspections will be carried out to assess whether the coating has any form of detrimental effect on the assets. Assessment to determine whether the coating will contribute to an overall saving in asset life expectancy and associated costs. A comprehensive list of the extent to which the product can be applied. Thus establishing the potential benefits of the product. | |
| Abstract | Historically, a constant workload of the gas industry has been repair and replacement of corroded mains. Whether cast iron, spun iron, ductile iron or even steel, mains are susceptible to corrosion damage due to chemical and physical abrasion. In order to prevent these problems from occurring, there are numerous techniques for corrosion avoidance. These methods include: paints or protective coat wrapping such as Denso, Cold Tar and PVC Over-Wrap. Although proven to prevent corrosion; paints and coat wrapping have various short comings which prevent a full realisation of their worth. Such issues can include: Paint detaching from the parent pipe line due to fracture/damage Protective wrapping over time is susceptible to degradation Flanges and valves require additional infill to seal the voids which are then over wrapped Manually applying protective systems to equipment is often very labour intensive Reapplying wrapping or paint can often require the removal of the old wrapping/paint which can prove both time consuming and labour intensive and can further result in damage to equipment and assets Orbis Oxifree Corrosion Coating (or Oxifree) is a new (to the GB gas market) and environmentally friendly applied polymeric resin coating/encapsulation system designed to prevent corrosion. It primarily targets pipe flanges, valves and bolts but also acts as a barrier to stop ingress of dust and moisture into a wide range of assets. Prior to application, the product is heated to a temperature of 170 degrees C in a purpose built machine and is then applied, via a heated hose and gun. The material is pumped at low pressure and forms an encapsulation which is around 4mm thick and does not adhere to the substrate. When applied, the product secretes oil which forms a barrier between the substrate and the polymeric resin to prevent air, moisture and contaminants from penetrating the coating/substrate interface. It also has an inhibitor quality which acts to reverse any established corrosion. The coating can be easily removed from the asset and melted down and reused, therefore this is a zero waste product both during and after the application process. There are a range of application machines which can be used and these include a small machine for ease of transport and working in confined spaces and restricted access work areas (i. e. rope access). There are also larger machines for greater material capacity holding an ATEX approved for us in potentially explosive/fire risk zones. Removing the encapsulation has been demonstrated to be very easy therefore allowing regular removal, inspection and re-application. This further supports the cost savings and environmentally friendly aspects of the product.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 17/09/18 | |
