SwRI: High-Temperature and High-Pressure Testing, Corrosion Testing and Research

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has facilities that house a number of high-pressure, high-temperature autoclaves with the ability to monitor electrochemical conditions.

 

image of slow strain rate machines for stress corrosion cracking investigations   image of specialized test fixtures for stress corrosion cracking studies under biaxial loading conditions

Slow strain rate machines for stress corrosion cracking investigations

  

Specialized test fixtures for stress corrosion cracking studies under biaxial loading conditions

  

image of stainless steel, titanium, and nickel alloy autoclaves are used to conduct corrosion tests and environmental exposures at temperatures up to 650 ?F and pressures up to 20,000 PSI

  

image of nickel alloy stirring autoclaves used for testing at pressures of 2,000 PSI and temperatures of 450 ?F

Stainless steel, titanium, and nickel alloy autoclaves are used to conduct corrosion tests and environmental exposures at temperatures up to 650 °F and pressures up to 20,000 PSI

  

Nickel alloy stirring autoclaves used for testing at pressures of 2,000 PSI and temperatures of 450 °F

 

Autoclave capabilities include stirring and pressure ratings up to 20,000 psi at 650 °F. Constant and cyclic loading test frames as well as 10 slow strain rate (SSR) systems are used for stress corrosion cracking studies. The SSR systems include capabilities for testing at ambient temperature and pressure and in high-pressure, high-temperature environments. The rated pressure and temperature of the autoclave vessels employed for SSR work are 2,000 psi and 450 °F.

 

SwRI has experience designing, constructing and operating specialized test facilities to meet specific client needs. Our staff members have many years of experience with full-scale testing, high-temperature high-pressure tests, and testing in hazardous environments such as those containing H2S and CO2.

 

SwRI offers a new facility equipped to conduct full-scale testing in hazardous conditions including H2S and high-pressure, high-temperature environments. The facility is currently configured to qualify the use of a composite choke and kill line (part of the subsea blowout preventer stack) used for high-temperature and high-pressure applications. Tests are conducted in accordance with API 16C specification at 70 MPa at 120 °C using a NaCl brine and hydrocarbon equilibrated with a H2S/CO2/CH4 gas mixture.

 

image of hose assembly undergoing preparation prior to testing   image showing that test conditions are controlled and monitored in an instrumentation room

Hose assembly undergoing preparation prior to testing

  

Test conditions are controlled and monitored in an instrumentation room.

image showing the final preparations SwRI staff make prior to testing. The test cell has numerous monitors for temperature and pressure and is also equipped with gas sensors

  

image of assembly with internal and external heaters placed inside secondary containment vessel. Heater controller are located in a control room.

image of assembly with internal and external heaters placed inside secondary containment vessel. Heater controller are located in a control room.

SwRI staff making the final preparations prior to testing. The test cell has numerous monitors for temperature and pressure and is also equipped with gas sensors.

 

Assembly with internal and external heaters placed inside secondary containment vessel. Heater controller are located in a control room.

 

For more information about high-temperature and high-pressure corrosion testing capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Elizabeth Trillo, Ph.D., at etrillo@swri.org or (210) 522-4210, or Steve Clay at sclay@swri.org or (210) 522-2348.

 

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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) is an independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 12 technical divisions using multidisciplinary approaches to problem solving. The Institute occupies more than 1,200 acres and provides nearly two million square feet of laboratories, test facilities, workshops, and offices for more than 3,300 employees who perform contract work for industry and government clients.