MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013
New pipeline coatings for integrity and corrosion prevention are a key part of the industry's $10.3 million research focus for 2013.
The Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) has announced several coatings-related initiatives that it is kicking off in 2013, including self-healing and fusion-bonded epoxy coatings as well as fresh evaluations of several current practices.
The pipeline coatings projects are part of PRCI's 2013 Research Portfolio, reflecting a variety of programs and projects that address pipeline operations and integrity, corrosion control, design, materials, construction, and facilities.
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PRCI's 2013 Research Portfolio will allocate over $10.3 million to programs and projects that address pipelines. Several items on the agenda are coatings-related. |
The portfolio also addresses a variety of technology needs and opportunities to advance pipeline industry research and development.
Coatings Agenda
The association currently has four coatings initiatives planned for the current year, a spokesman said. They are:
"Through the collaborative research model that PRCI employs, we have developed a research agenda for 2013 that will continue to deliver on the organization's core mission of technology development in support of safety and more environmentally friendly energy pipeline infrastructure around the world," Eric Amundsen, chair of PRCI, said in a statement.
Other Research
PRCI has identified a number of programs and projects that fall under the categories of corrosion; design, materials & construction; operations & integrity; compressor & pump station; measurement; and underground storage.
Additional agenda items include cathodic protection system performance, internal corrosion sample collection guidelines, improved performance of the External Corrosion Direct Assessment (ECDA) methodology, and dozens of other projects.
"As the industry strives for zero incidents, it is critical that we deliver the knowledge and technology that will enable the industry to move in that direction," said Cliff Johnson, president of PRCI.
"The research agenda that has been created demonstrates the commitment by the industry to continue looking for ways to ensure a safer and more efficient pipeline network."
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Coatings research on the 2013 agenda includes development of self-healing coatings for pipelines to prevent external corrosion damage. |
Annual Research Meeting
PRCI hosted its seventh annual Research Exchange Meeting on Feb. 5 to 7 in Dallas, TX. Nearly 300 people were in attendance, including PRCI member company representatives, researchers, and stakeholders in the pipeline industry.
A major theme at this year's meeting was global innovation and collaboration. More than 50 completed and select ongoing PRCI research projects were reviewed.
The meeting was organized into four technical tracks, each led by an industry expert. The tracks were Corrosion; Design, Materials & Construction; Mechanical Damage; and Operations & Integrity.
The program also included a number of panel sessions, a poster session that highlighted project accomplishments, and demonstrations of several technologies developed through PRCI's research and development programs.
About PRCI
PRCI is a non-profit research organization comprised of energy pipeline operating companies in the U.S., Canada, Europe, China, South America, Africa, and the Middle East.
Associate members include pipe equipment manufacturers, service providers, and vendors worldwide.
Tagged categories: Coating types; Fusion bonded epoxy; NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board); Pipelines; Program/Project Management; Research
