Product category:
Monitoring and sensor equipment and systems
News Release from: HBM UK | Subject: Strain gauges
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 05 October 2004
Optimised design of subsea pipelines
Mitsui Babcock, in its work on design validation and testing of sub-sea oil pipelines, has selected HBM's strain gauges and Catman data analysis equipment.
During deployment, sub-sea oil pipes are subjected to bending moments and sheer forces while, during use, other factors, such as temperature and pressure, can affect the pipes' performance It is critical that the integrity of the pipes is tested to prevent failures which could have major production and environmental implications
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 31 Mar 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Comments Albert Holt, Mitsui Babcock's principal test engineer: " One reason for choosing HBM's equipment is that it gives the structural engineers access to many more channels than we previously had available for determining stress levels".
A four-point bending rig, designed by Mitsui Babcock, is used to test pipe sections up to 12m long, and test durations can vary depending on the complexity of the programme.
Advanced techniques are deployed to optimise the information gained from the test.
Further reading
Optical and electrical strain gauge signals
HBM's EasyOptics module for the catmanAP enables users to acquire and visualise signals from optical and electrical strain gauges and compare measurements.
Amplifier increases press-fit assembly accuracy
A measurement amplifier simplifies two-channel manufacturing and testing processes, such as press-fit monitoring, to ensure greater fitting accuracy.
For example, high-resolution cameras are inserted in the body of the pipe to provide visual evidence of the structural damage at the onset of buckling.
The largest pipe that Mitsui Babcock has tested is 660 mm (26in) in diameter.
Notes Holt: "HBM was a great help as they developed a customised interface for us that works very well by allowing our engineers to see the effect of pipeline bending under an applied load".
He adds that Catman is an excellent tool.
Most tests at the facility are static although some dynamic testing is also performed and testing to destruction using compression, tensile and burst testing can also be a customer requirement.
HBM's strain gages are used to determine the levels of strain that, for static tests, is 3% above nominal strain.
The pipes are tested to temperatures of 165C and pressures of 34.5 MPa (about 5000 pounds/in2).
Remarks Holt: "HBM's equipment is quick to set up, allows us to use a wide range of transducers and represents excellent value for money".
There are several different processes used in the construction of pipelines to gain the balance between cost and fitness for purpose.
These include a uniform stainless steel liner fitted inside a carbon steel pipe, with some manufacturers, making the inner pipeline slightly smaller than the outer pipe and then hydraulically expanding the inner pipe to meet the outer carbon steel pipe.
Mitsui Babcock, a leading multi-specialist energy services provider offers a range of independent testing services from its facilities near Glasgow, Scotland to a global customer base which includes project developers and manufacturers.
These tests ensure that pipes are of optimum design, and safe to deploy in deep ocean waters. Request a free brochure from HBM UK ...
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