Intertek (United Kingdom)

Abstract The ASME B31.1-2024 Power Piping Code (Code) para. 102.2.4 [1] provides an allowance regarding operating above the design temperature and internal pressure for short time periods. The concept of allowing occasional operation for short periods of time at higher than the design pressure or temperature has been in the Code since 1967. The 1967 Code para. 102.2.4 limitations were based on engineering judgment that can now be quantitatively evaluated for the additional creep life consumption. The Code states that the pressure or temperature or both may exceed the design values if the computed circumferential pressure stress does not exceed the maximum allowable stress from Mandatory Appendix A for the coincident temperature by: (A) 15% if the event duration occurs for no more than 8 hours at any one time and not more than 800 hours per year, or (B) 20% if the event duration occurs for no more than 1 hour at any one time and not more than 80 hours per year. In 2019 it was estimated that using para. 102.2.4 Allowance A or B for 11 materials operating in the creep range over 10 operating years resulted in increased creep life consumption in the range of 0.0% to 6.4% [2]. The proposed revision to para. 102.2.4 in this study will align the increased creep life consumption for the same 11 materials to a similar range of 1% to 6%. This study provides a technical basis for a possible revision to para. 102.2.4 considering the additional creep life consumption for 11 materials operating in the creep range. The materials considered in this paper are: 1. Low carbon steel 2. 1.25Cr 0.5Mo 3. 2.25Cr 1Mo 4. 9Cr 1 Mo V 5. Type 304 SS 6. Type 316 SS 7. Type 316L SS 8. Type 321 SS 9. Type 321H SS 10. Type 347 SS, and 11. Type 347H SS If operated within the limits of proposed Equation 1 for 10 years (80,000 operating hours), the methodology resulted in an estimated range of 1% to 6% increased creep life consumption compared to the piping system operating at the design temperature and design pressure during the 10 years. In addition, the proposed methodology may be used to evaluate operations slightly above the design temperature and design pressure during each year.

Abstract The February 2021 ceasefire between India and Pakistan has the potential to form the basis of a historic opening for peace at a time when the region is desperately in need of some relief. However, a sustainable ceasefire will require a carefully planned and sophisticated political and technical architecture.

Regulating industrial chemicals in foodstuffs and consumer products is a major aspect of protecting populations against health risks. Non-animal testing methods are an essential part of the radical change to the framework for toxicity testing that is long overdue in global economies. This paper discusses reasons why the drive to reduce animal testing for chemical safety testing is so difficult to achieve, as perceived by those who are closely involved in chemicals regulations in different capacities. Progress is slow, despite the fact that the ethico-legal conditions for a move away from animal testing are largely in place, and despite scientific arguments for a radical change in the paradigm of toxicity testing, away from reliance on animal studies. I present empirical data drawn from two studies in a European Commission context promoting non-animal methods. The aim of the paper is modest. It is to foreground the voices of those who deal with the science and regulation of chemicals on a day-to-day basis, rather than to offer a theoretical framework for what I heard from them. I offer a synthesis of the main challenges faced by non-animal alternatives, as these are perceived by people in different stakeholder groups dealing with chemicals regulation. I show where there are pockets of agreement between different stakeholders, and where the main disagreements lie. In particular there is dispute and disagreement over what counts as validation of these alternative tests, and by implication of the traditional 'gold standard' of animal testing. Finally, I suggest that the shift to non-animal methods in chemicals regulation demonstrates the need for the concept of validation to be broadened from a purely techno-scientific definition, and be more explictly understood as a demand for trust and acceptance, with more attention given to the complex social, institutional and economic settings in which it operates.

Abstract High rates of corrosion had led to severe material loss in a low-alloy medium carbon steel Tether Chain from an offshore mooring system after only 5 years in service. The material losses were caused by extensive corrosion pitting and wear damage from adjacent links. Substantial levels of biomass were detected in the seabed soil and seawater at depths below 20 meters. The corrosion products on the chain link surfaces also tested positive for slime forming microorganisms indicating mature biofilm formation with inclusion of microenvironments which enabled proliferation of diverse aerobic, facultative and anaerobic heterotrophic populations. Those identified by molecular microbiological methods employed included Acid-Producing, Iron-Oxidising, Sulphate-Reducing and Sulphur-Reducing populations. The findings from the analysis confirmed a mechanism of Microbiologically Induced Corrosion (MIC), with wear rates further exacerbated by the action of rubbing wear continually exposing fresh steel surfaces which corroded in the bacteria rich environment. The repetitive, cyclical nature of the combination of rubbing and corrosion resulted in unexpected, accelerated corrosion rates.

ABSTRACT High pressure, high temperature (HPHT) corrosion in sour conditions is a major concern in oil and gas production. Here, the selection of corrosion inhibitor is a significant challenge in oil and gas industry. This paper presents the results using HPHT Hastelloy RC autoclave for the performance study of corrosion inhibitor with high H2S/CO2 environments and high shear stress of 25 Pa in 80 % water cut. The sour corrosion testing conditions were the combination of 16.8 bar H2S concentration and 12 bar CO2 concentration with the temperature of 121°C. Triplicate API 5L X65 weight-loss coupons were used in the test. Some important standard tests (e.g. thermal stability, emulsification tendency, foaming tendency, and solubility) with material compatibility test (Alloy 825) were also presented. The test results show that the average corrosion rates using weight-loss coupons are less than 0.1 mm/yr with low corrosion inhibitor concentration. No pitting corrosion was observed.

In the article, I try to show the world of the past as the world of games. First of all, history appears as a game – the game of the historian with his subject of study or cognition. Secondly, history itself can be conceptualised by the metaphor of the game. The history of Portugal is treated as an example of the object of historical research, which changes along with the theories applied. The act of theorising sets the limits of the known past. On the basis of selected examples from the history of Portugal in the 20th century, I try to show how the use of various research tools allows us to ask new/different questions.

This article elaborates on a new issue that should progressively receive attention by Photovoltaic (PV) installation industry and utility management entities. It specifically introduces stray current corrosion blind spots that are inherent to PV systems' grounding and associated DC ground fault detection mechanisms. These blind spots arise as the existing thresholds for DC leakage currents have been based on other issues such as fire or personnel safety. Leakage current may cause accelerated corrosion on PV supporting metallic structures as well as on third party metallic utilities that may be present in the vicinity of PV installations. The impact of DC stray current corrosion is recognized by the stakeholders across the world in the DC traction community and codes and standards have been developed to provide designers and utility companies with a corrosion management strategy that defines a level of corrosion risk which is acceptable across infrastructures. This article outlines the theoretical background that will assist the understanding of stray current corrosion by PV plant developers, designers and owners and raise awareness with the utility Distribution Network Owners.