An evaluation of additive manufacturing of MMCs for oil sands applications

该项目将介绍用于添加剂制造的等离子转移弧工艺(PTA-AM)**在石油和天然气工业中的应用。由于油砂的高磨损性和腐蚀性，油砂作业中需要使用金属基复合材料(MMC)。通常，NiCrSiB合金粉末**与碳化钨(WC)粉末混合，通过喷嘴送入由惰性气体保护的等离子体中，然后**沉积在基材上。对于PTA-AM应用，我们建议一层接一层地构建Syncrate感兴趣的两个部件**，并针对其操作，一个法兰管道和一个喷嘴喷头。这将是加拿大第一个**使用PTA过程的AM研究，也可能是世界上第一个应用MMC的研究。**这个项目将涉及来自艾伯塔大学和创新技术大学的四名研究人员之间的合作**艾伯塔。通过结合两个小组的专业知识，可以充分**探索这种方法应用于AM的可行性。由于我们期待成功，我们与艾伯塔省InnoTech的合作将确保将**技术出色地转移到行业和未来的扩大研究中。在这个项目中，材料加工、Henein、PTA的运作、Wolfe、为AM应用重新设计PTA、Qureshi和**AM样品的冶金分析等专业知识的结合提供了独特的跨学科专业知识组合。**这样的专业知识组合还将为高素质**人员(HQP)的培训提供独特的氛围。我们计划每年有三名学生参与这个项目，为期四年**。还需要50%的研究助理时间，以便使用差示扫描量热仪等实验室设施为**学生提供日常监督。为了便于今后**扩大规模，将在位于艾伯塔省InnoTech的PTA装置进行实验测试。提案中包括接入费用**以及艾伯塔省InnoTech为支持这一**合作而提供的实物捐助。如详细介绍的那样，辛克鲁德同时提供现金和实物捐助。

This project will address the use of the Plasma Transfer Arc process for Additive Manufacturing (PTA-AM)**applications in the oil and gas industry. Due to the high wear and corrosion action of oil sands, metal matrix**composites (MMCs) are required for use in oil sands operations. Typically a NiCrSiB alloy powder is mixed**with tungsten carbide (WC) powders and fed through a nozzle into a plasma protected by inert gas and**deposited onto a substrate. For PTA-AM applications, we propose to build layer by layer two parts of interest**to Syncrude and specific to their operations, a flanged pipe and an injection nozzle head. This will be the first**research study of AM using the PTA process in Canada and likely the first in the world for MMC applications.**This project will involve a collaboration between four researchers from the University of Alberta and InnoTech**Alberta. By combining the expertise of both groups, the feasibility of this approach to AM can be fully**explored. As we anticipate success, our collaboration with InnoTech Alberta will ensure excellent transfer of**technology to industry and for future scale-up studies. For this project, the combined expertise of materials**processing, Henein, the operation of the PTA, Wolfe, the re-design of PTA for AM applications, Qureshi, and**the metallurgical analysis of the AM samples, Li, offers a unique combination of interdisciplinary expertise.**Such a combination of expertise will also provide a unique atmosphere for the training of Highly Qualified**People (HQP). We plan to have three students working on this project each year of its proposed four year**duration. A 50% time of a Research Associate is also required in order to provide day to day supervision of**students using laboratory facilities such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry. In order to facilitate future**scale-up the experimental tests will be carried out at the PTA unit located at InnoTech Alberta. Costs of access**are included in the proposal as well as in-kind contributions from InnoTech Alberta in support of this**collaboration. Syncrude is providing both cash and in-kind contributions as outlined in detail.