Impact plugs the gaps

Impact Labs, the Grangemouth BP Chemicals spin off, is building on its expertise in pipeline technology to help improve that sector’s welding processes via systems of destructive and non-destructive testing.

Rob Meek, Impact CEO, says that ‘we at Impact are here to help drive product and service innovations for new opportunities and new horizons. Our team here includes guys like Les Rose and Ed Clutton; people who were part of the team that developed the original polymer specs and grades for large bore blue and yellow utility PE pipe. We therefore know these pipeline materials from the inside out – and are committed to helping the sector improve its performance and create technology and methods for ensuring pipe and system integrity.’

Meek adds that ‘as the C21 draws on, water, for example, will join oil as a very precious commodity. It is vital therefore that we have an infrastructure to match. Utility managers need to be able to face their shareholders and consumers knowing that they’ve done their best in asset protection and development.’

Kevin Ross heads up this aspect of Impact’s work – and explains that ‘most modern utility pipes have already undergone rigorous testing in order to prove their capability and that the pipe has a high level of integrity. However, welds are the weak point – the Achilles heel of the pipeline system.’ Ross adds that overall pipeline systems integrity can be compromised by a great variety of contracting and installation practice around the globe. ‘At Impact we find ourselves playing a role in which we hope to make a variety of weld test methods really work for the future integrity and safety of plastic pipeline systems worldwide.’

The bulk of the company’s workload comes from utilities, major industrial users and pipeline contractors. ‘Most clients need destructive testing of both electro fusion & butt welded joints. ‘Samples are sent to us from the field to analyse and our results help influence the ongoing contract practice and the management of the project being undertaken.  Our services are, essentially, a part of good customer assurance,’  adds Ross.  

Ross acknowledges the advances in plastics pipeline welding practices as the equipment has become more sophisticated often with built in GPS and bar code recording of individual welds to give traceability. However, most of the utility industries agree that a large variation in weld quality remains. Most of this is due to variation in contracting practice and at the interface in the field.  This comes down to the quality of the welding machine and the skill and training of the machine operator.’

In order for welded pipeline joints to be effective the two pipe ends need to be heated and be allowed to flow with the joint; creating ductile conditions so that the joint behaves in a similar fashion to the pipe.’  Common faults in this process according to Impact include overhearing or under cooking of the weld, dirt and misalignment.

Future solutions, according to Impact, will fully embrace Non Destructive Testing. ‘The ideal is to be able to test welds in situ in real time,’ says Ross. ‘In tandem with our destructive testing methods, we are working towards developing a NDT system that can be deployed in the field.’
 
All further details of Impact’s pipe and welding work from Chris Beaumont at Impact. Tel. 01324 489 182 [email protected]

 www.impact-labs.com