CALGARY
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FACILITy
Bredero Shaw provides ongoing technical support
through our Technology and Development laboratory in Calgary,
Alberta.
The laboratory services world-wide requirements
for product testing, development and process improvement.
Analytical Laboratory
The T&D analytical Laboratory is a clean,
humidity and temperature controlled environment used for measuring
coatings and materials using sensitive analytical equipment.
Simulated Service Vessel (SSV)
The first test vessel in the world capable
of measuring the heat flow through and compressive creep of
an insulating coating on a pipe, in both the vertical and
horizontal positions. Service conditions for sub-sea insulation
coatings consist of water temperature and pressure exerted
on the coating and fluid temperature flowing through the pipeline.
By simulating these service conditions within the test vessel,
and measuring the heat flow and compressive creep of the insulating
material, we are able to advise the pipeline design engineer
on the thermal efficiency and depth rating of the insulation.
Pilot Coating Line
Reduced product development times and continually
improving quality through standardization of processes and
training of employees are sufficient reasons for the introduction
of a pilot coating line within the recently added processing
bay of T&D. While being a substantial investment, the
facility gives SPPL the unique ability to:
| • |
Work with key suppliers to reduce new product
qualification times by on-pipe trials. |
| • |
Conduct trials and qualify new materials
without disrupting production schedules. |
| • |
Evaluate and optimize processing application
conditions on test pipe. |
| • |
Provide a training facility for application
of new products and new employees. |
Heat Ageing Equipment/Immersion Tank
The heat ageing test equipment allows coatings
and insulation applied to pipe to be higher than recommended
operating temperature, by circulating hot fluid through the
pipe, to accelerate degradation. Assuming the degradation
mechanisms are similar to naturally aged degradation, lifetime
predictions at operating temperatures can be made. The immersion
tank allows water absorption data to be collected, and controlling
the bath temperature enables heat flow through the insulation
to be measured using belt heat flux sensors.
CSA Coating Testing
The T&D Laboratory is fully equipped
to apply, inspect, and evaluate liquid and powder coatings.
The T&D Laboratory follows CSA Z245 standards for testing
coatings where applicable. Being a Global technical resource,
T&D personnel also routinely use coating test methods
of other organization’s standards such as ASTM, ISO,
DIN, BSA, NFA, etc. |
