TCPL - Hot tap connections

管道的热分接连接使得新管道能够连接到操作管道，而无需关闭操作管道。由于一条管道可能耗资数亿美元或更多，避免因关闭而损失的收入对TcCPL来说是有价值的。虽然存在将较小直径管道连接到较大直径管道的技术，但这项研究将开发最先进的计算机模型来优化这项技术，评估其设计的鲁棒性或将这项技术扩展到连接几乎相等直径的管道。 焊接是一个非常复杂的过程，涉及从熔化到凝固的完整材料处理，以及在大约1秒的时间内在大约1 cm^3的焊池中成形成品。显微组织控制着焊缝性能。焊接缺陷，如孔隙和裂纹可能是重要的。优化工艺设计和控制以生产最佳焊缝是一项重要的挑战。优化管线的设计，包括热分接连接，包括热分接的设计和制造，是同样重要的挑战。

Hot tap connections of pipelines enable a new pipeline to be connected to an operating pipeline without shutting down the operating pipeline. Since a pipeline can cost hundreds of millions of dollars or more, avoiding the lost income that would be incurred by a shut down is valuable to TcCPL. Although the technology do this for connecting smaller diameter pipes to larger diameter pipes exists, this research will develop state of the art computer models to optimize this technology, to assess the robustness of their designs or to extend this technology to connect pipes of nearly equal diameter. Welding is a very complex process that involves the complete material processing from melting to solidification and shaping the finished product in a weld pool of roughly 1 cm^3 in times of roughly 1 second. The microstructure controls the weld properties. Weld defects such as porosity and cracks can be important. Optimizing the design and control of the process to produce the best welds is an important challenge. Optimizing the design of a pipe line, including hot tap connections including the design and fabrication of the hot tap is an equally important challenge.