Extending plant life through improved fabrication and advanced repair methodology

Objective

AIM: To eliminate the need to conduct costly Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) to enable cost effective fabrication and repair of steel components in applications where it can be proven that this is not needed. The PROBLEM: PWHT in fabrication, often a very difficult and high cost operation, affecting productivity and not justified for recently developed steels. Repair welds are often non-code compliant and require long validation and justification work resulting in lost production time. BENEFITS: Eliminating intermediate PWHT in fabrication would translate directly into cost savings and competitiveness. A validated repair procedure would reduce repair costs and plant down-time. If repairs could be implemented in codes of practice in the same way that small surface defects can be removed by grinding, millions of euros could be saved each year in industry.

Programme(s)

• FP5-GROWTH - Programme for research technological development and demonstration on "Competitive and sustainable growth 1998-2002"

Topic(s)

• 1.1.3.-1. - Key Action Innovative Products, Processes and Organisation

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

MITSUI BABCOCK ENERGY LTD*

Address

Porterfield Road
PA4 8DJ Renfrew
United Kingdom

Participants (9)

BELLELI ENERGY SRL

Italy

Address

Via G. Taliercio 3
46100 Mantova

CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS E INVESTIGACIONES TECNICAS DE GUIPUZKOA

Spain

Address

15,Paseo De Manuel De Lardizabal 15
20009 San Sebastian

ETC ELETTROTERMOCHIMICA SRL

Italy

Address

Via Vo'di Placca 56
35020 Albignasego

FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.*

Germany

Address

Woehlerstrasse 11
79108 Freiburg (In Breisgau)

INDUSTEEL FRANCE SA

France

Address

Rue Clémenceau 56
71200 Le Creus0t

INSTITUT DE SOUDURE

France

Address

Zone Industrielle Les Jonquières
57365 Ennery

IZAR CONSTRUCCIONES NAVALES S.A.

Spain

Address

Velazques, 132
28006 Madrid

NDE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED

United Kingdom

Address

Torrington Place
WC1E 7JE London

UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL

United Kingdom

Address

University Walk
BS8 1TR Bristol, Clifton