Fluid Systems & Applications | Southwest Research Institute

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) offers a variety of services that support research in the performance and reliability of components for fluid systems and applications. Our Fluids Engineering department offers fluid equipment validation and research services in support of industries spanning oil and gas, power generation, biomedical, data centers and more.

Flow Component Testing Facilities

Many of these services are conducted at the Flow Component Testing Facilities (FCTF). The FCTF consists of several dedicated facilities housed in a single location that are used to perform both standard and custom testing. Services offered for fluid system research include:

Benefits of Testing at SwRI for Fluid System Applications

Independent, third-party testing services

SwRI is an independent, nonprofit research and development organization.

Complete Confidentiality – All work done at the Flow Component Testing Facilities is governed by a confidentiality policy that protects client names, results, and other information obtained in connection with the work performed.
Technical Excellence – SwRI has an international reputation for technical excellence, and the FCTF is an industry-recognized leader in third-party verification testing.
Quality – The FCTF takes pride in providing the highest level of safety, quality and customer satisfaction. Our third-party testing business model observes national quality and safety standards such as API Q1, ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025, and OSHAS 18001.
Resources – All projects at the FCTF have access to SwRI world-class laboratories and staff, which provide one of the most comprehensive design, development, and testing resources in the world.

Quality & Safety Control

All third-party testing activities performed at the FCTF are subject to compliance with the FCTF Quality Manual, which conforms to the safety and quality requirements outlined in the following documents:

API Specification Q1, Specification for Quality Management System Requirements for Manufacturing Organizations for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry.
ISO 9001, Quality Management Systems - Requirements.
ISO/IEC 17025, General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories.
BS OHSAS 18001, Occupational Health and Safety Management Requirements.

SwRI is registered with API for API Specification Q1 as it applies to third party validation testing services per API specifications 14A Specification for Subsurface Safety Valve Equipment and 6AV1 Specification for Validation of Wellhead Surface Safety Valves and Underwater Safety Valves for Offshore Service (Registration No. Q1-3729).

For more information about fluid systems and applications, please contact Shane Siebenaler at +1 210 522 5758.