DNV GL strengthens explosion test capability

July 6, 2016
DNV GL has opened a new training center at its large-scale testing and research facility in northwest England.

Offshore staff

SPADEADAM, CumbriaDNV GL has opened a new training center at its large-scale testing and research facility in northwest England.

The classification society has committed more than £3 million ($3.88 million) to the center, said to feature some of the most advanced destructive and non-destructive test facilities, to support trials in a controlled and secure “real-life” environment.

Elisabeth Torstad, CEO ofDNV GL – Oil & Gas, said: “While the industry is understandably preoccupied with generating shorter-term value, we must be vigilant in ensuring safety remains as a top priority.

“Our challenge is to continue giving the message to clients that cutting costs without understanding the bigger risk picture can end up being ineffective, and ultimately very costly to the business.”

Spadeadam will run full-scale experiments using available test rigs for the new CostFX JIP investigating cost-efficient explosion load descriptions for process areas.

The project, still open to new participants, is targeting improved and more aligned knowledge between HSE and structural disciplines on explosion load criteria, with the aims of reducing complexity and over-design in current models and methodologies for explosion protection, while balancing demand for accountable safety margins.

Results will be used to develop standards and guidelines that allow structural engineers to pre-define design explosion loads for standard installations, mitigating the need for costly analyses.

Work performed at the site, the largest facility of this type in the UK, consists of large-scale hazard tests, including flammable gas dispersion, fires, explosions, pipeline fracture tests, blast and product testing in a safe and secure environment.

07/06/2016

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