TCPL - Hot tap connections

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

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.