Curtiss Wright Nuclear
Element Hitchin Completes Groundbreaking Research into Composite Pipelines
Posted:
Element Hitchin, UK, has successfully completed a groundbreaking proof-of-
concept research project to design and build equipment for the continuous
quality control and repairing of reinforced thermoplastic pipes during the
manufacturing process. This represents a first of its kind capability for the Oil &
Gas sector. The research has significant commercial implications for the
industry, which is shifting away from a reliance on metallic pipes towards lighter,
more flexible, and resistant composite materials. The manufacturing stage
demands a continuous process to maintain integrity and critical flaws can be
difficult to identify or repair, so this solution could deliver substantial cost
reductions.

During the two and a half year project costing £620,000, Element Hitchin worked
in partnership with global manufacturer GE Oil & Gas and non-destructive
equipment specialists Wavelength NDT, with the venture part-funded by the UK
Government via the Technology Strategy Board.

Element Hitchin designed and built equipment and test methodologies to
ultrasonically detect critical flaws in thermoplastic polymer pipes during the
continuous manufacturing process. In addition to physical testing, the team of
experts utilized Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to simulate various environments,
applying ultrasonic data to complex models. The consortium also created an
innovative prototype machine to repair sections of pipe where flaws or
delamination would reduce mechanical strength or accelerate material ageing.

Rod Martin, Element’s EVP Oil & Gas, said: "Element Hitchin continues to blaze a
trail in composite materials testing and qualification, and this research further
cements its reputation as one of the world’s leading laboratories in the field. Its
status as the Element group’s international center of excellence for FEA was a
factor in its critical contribution to the project’s success.

"This research will enable us to develop new, cutting-edge testing and
qualification services, which continue to be led by the requirements of key
clients, and the knowledge gained by Hitchin is invaluable in supporting various
existing offerings to the O&G sector, and this composites testing expertise will
be shared with 1,450 Engaged Experts and across our platform of 42 facilities
worldwide," he concluded.
Mistras Group