Accounting for the Harsh Effects of Cold Temperature Operations
Operations in the Arctic and cold weather regions are challenging due to embrittlement of components, and generation of significant thermal stress loads, which can lead to structural cracking and failures under otherwise normal loading conditions.
Temperature variations also change the elasticity and dimensions of sealing components leading to reduce performance and leaks. For example bladder accumulators stiffen at cold temperatures, limiting their performance in safety systems such as blow out preventers and transient pressure suppression systems on pipelines.
Rapid changes in equipment temperatures can cause differential expansion of components leading to thermal strains and stresses that may cause leakage or failure of components.
Conducting Full-scale Testing to Extreme Temperatures as low as -40°C
C-FER Technologies develops unique testing systems to evaluate the performance of equipment, structures, and processes under cold-weather operating conditions.
Specimens can be chilled by a variety of methods such as immersion in chilled fluids, circulation of chilled fluid under pressure or controlled exposure to liquid nitrogen.
Thermal shock loading can also be achieved by combining these chilling methods with resistive or inductive electric heating systems to minimize cycling times.
