For immediate release
San Antonio — June 20, 2017 — Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) now offers a 60,000-square-foot outdoor complex for fluid dynamics research and development testing of flow components. The new facility complements a suite of test facilities and laboratories dedicated to evaluating instrumentation, equipment, and devices for the oil and gas industry.
“This unique resource allows us the flexibility to set up temporary custom test facilities for our clients,” said Angel Wileman, a senior research engineer in SwRI’s Mechanical Engineering Division. “We look forward to providing services for our oil and gas industry clients from upstream to downstream.”
The new facility has a 3,800-square-foot high bay with a 10-ton overhead crane and a reinforced concrete pad that can support heavy equipment. The area is ideal for setting up temporary flow loops for fluid dynamics research such as erosion testing or flow performance testing. Perimeter fencing controls access in compliance with the facility’s safety and quality system. The facility also is plumbed to a nitrogen gas supply, which originates from a 6,000-gallon liquid source tank at the adjacent Flow Component Test Facility. A nearby control room allows for remote control and monitoring of testing.
A fenced-in area within the facility supports research activities performed with flammable fluids, such as fugitive emissions testing. The area is wired according to NEC Class I Division II electrical classification and includes a 1,000-square-foot canopy.
For more information, contact SwRI Solutions.