Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a surface of a structure for defects includes an inspection apparatus having a heating device for heating a section of the surface of the structure, an infrared camera for receiving infrared radiation from the surface in response to heating, a controller configured to generate thermographs from the received infrared radiation, and a communication device. A training system includes an expert system module configured to determine correlations between a set of thermographs generated by a thermal simulation of modeled structural elements with defects, and parameters of the modeled structural elements. A computer system communicatively coupled to the training system and the inspection apparatus, is adapted to receive thermographs received from the inspection apparatus and to detect quantitative parameters of defects in the structure using the correlations obtained from the training system.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a surface of a structure for defects includes an inspection apparatus having a heating device for heating a section of the surface of the structure, an infrared camera for receiving infrared radiation from the surface in response to heating, a controller configured to generate thermographs from the received infrared radiation, and a communication device. A training system includes an expert system module configured to determine correlations between a set of thermographs generated by a thermal simulation of modeled structural elements with defects, and parameters of the modeled structural elements. A computer system communicatively coupled to the training system and the inspection apparatus, is adapted to receive thermographs received from the inspection apparatus and to detect quantitative parameters of defects in the structure using the correlations obtained from the training system.

Abstract: A method of testing a material sample of a type used in a wall of a structure in a standard test for in-plane fracture toughness evaluation. The method comprises obtaining a sample having a lateral length no larger than a thickness of the wall of the structure, shaping the sample to have (a) a bottom surface, (b) a profiled top surface having a central notch, (c) a first coupling feature on a first side of the central notch, and (d) a second coupling feature on a second side of the central notch, assembling a test specimen which increases the width of the sample beyond the lateral width by coupling a first lateral extension to the first coupling feature and a second lateral extension to the second coupling feature, and applying a standard fracture toughness test to the so-assembled test specimen and sample to evaluate the fracture toughness of the sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for monitoring hydrogen-induced cracking in at least one test specimen. The method includes the steps of: saturating a test solution with a gas comprising H2S and delivering the saturated test solution into a test cell, wherein the test cell comprises at least one specimen port and at least one test specimen. The specimen port is configured to receive the test specimen. The method also includes the step of exposing the at least one test specimen to the saturated test solution, wherein only one surface of each specimen is exposed to the saturated test solution and the step of scanning the test specimen with a ultrasonic transducer at two or more time points, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is operatively connected to the specimen port and configured to rotate completely around the symmetry axis of the test specimen to complete each scan.

Abstract: A method of testing a material sample of a type used in a wall of a structure in a standard test for in-plane fracture toughness evaluation. The method comprises obtaining a sample having a lateral length no larger than a thickness of the wall of the structure, shaping the sample to have (a) a bottom surface, (b) a profiled top surface having a central notch, (c) a first coupling feature on a first side of the central notch, and (d) a second coupling feature on a second side of the central notch, assembling a test specimen which increases the width of the sample beyond the lateral width by coupling a first lateral extension to the first coupling feature and a second lateral extension to the second coupling feature, and applying a standard fracture toughness test to the so-assembled test specimen and sample to evaluate the fracture toughness of the sample.

Abstract: A method of measuring a hydrogen diffusivity of a metal structure is provided. The method includes providing a hydrogen charging surface at a first location on an external surface of the structure, and a hydrogen oxidation surface at a second location adjacent to the first location on the external surface of the structure. A hydrogen flux is generated and directed into the metal surface at the charging surface. At least a portion of the hydrogen flux generated by the charging surface and diverted back toward the surface is detected, and a transient of the diverted hydrogen flux is measured. The hydrogen diffusivity of the metal structure is then determined based on the measured transient.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of measuring a hydrogen diffusivity of a metal structure including during operation of the metal structure, are provided. A hydrogen charging surface is provided at a first location on an external surface of the structure. In addition, a hydrogen oxidation surface is provided at a second location adjacent to the first location on the external surface of the structure. Hydrogen flux is generated and directed into the metal surface at the charging surface. At least a portion of the hydrogen flux generated by the charging surface is diverted back toward the surface. A transient of the diverted hydrogen fluxes measured, and this measurement is used to determine the hydrogen diffusivity of the metal structure in service.

Abstract: Separation apparatuses for the separation of a mixture of two fluids, such as a water-in-oil emulsion, via electrocoalescence, are provided. A separation apparatus may include a series of flow conditioners each having a different permittivity, such that the flow conditioner having a permittivity that is similar or equal to the permittivity of the flowing medium is selected. Another separation apparatus may include a flow conditioner having a frequency-dependent permittivity, such that the frequency of the electric field generated is selected so that the permittivity of the flow conditioner is as similar as possible to or equal to the permittivity of the flowing medium. Another separation apparatus may include a replaceable flow conditioner that may be replaced with a flow conditioner having a permittivity that is as similar to or equal to the permittivity of the flowing medium.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for monitoring hydrogen-induced cracking in at least one test specimen. The method includes the steps of: saturating a test solution with a gas comprising H2S and delivering the saturated test solution into a test cell, wherein the test cell comprises at least one specimen port and at least one test specimen. The specimen port is configured to receive the test specimen. The method also includes the step of exposing the at least one test specimen to the saturated test solution, wherein only one surface of each specimen is exposed to the saturated test solution and the step of scanning the test specimen with a ultrasonic transducer at two or more time points, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is operatively connected to the specimen port and configured to rotate completely around the symmetry axis of the test specimen to complete each scan.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for monitoring hydrogen-induced cracking in at least one test specimen. The method includes the steps of: saturating a test solution with a gas comprising H2S and delivering the saturated test solution into a test cell, wherein the test cell comprises at least one specimen port and at least one test specimen. The specimen port is configured to receive the test specimen. The method also includes the step of exposing the at least one test specimen to the saturated test solution, wherein only one surface of each specimen is exposed to the saturated test solution and the step of scanning the test specimen with a ultrasonic transducer at two or more time points, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is operatively connected to the specimen port and configured to rotate completely around the symmetry axis of the test specimen to complete each scan.

Abstract: A method of testing a material sample of a type used in a wall of a structure in a standard test for in-plane fracture toughness evaluation. The method comprises obtaining a sample having a lateral length no larger than a thickness of the wall of the structure, shaping the sample to have (a) a bottom surface, (b) a profiled top surface having a central notch, (c) a first coupling feature on a first side of the central notch, and (d) a second coupling feature on a second side of the central notch, assembling a test specimen which increases the width of the sample beyond the lateral width by coupling a first lateral extension to the first coupling feature and a second lateral extension to the second coupling feature, and applying a standard fracture toughness test to the so-assembled test specimen and sample to evaluate the fracture toughness of the sample.

Abstract: This present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for collecting small amounts, sub mg levels, of elemental sulfur (or other trace elements such as mercury) deposited from the ppm levels of elemental sulfur (or other trace elements such as mercury) contained in gases found in typical oil production environments or gas streams with anticipated sulfur deposition problems, as well as in industries other than oil and gas. An analytical chemistry technique for determining the amount of sulfur collected is used and from this result, the solubility of sulfur in a gas at a fixed temperature, pressure and gas composition can be calculated.

Abstract: A method of measuring a hydrogen diffusivity of a metal structure is provided. The method includes providing a hydrogen charging surface at a first location on an external surface of the structure, and a hydrogen oxidation surface at a second location adjacent to the first location on the external surface of the structure. A hydrogen flux is generated and directed into the metal surface at the charging surface. At least a portion of the hydrogen flux generated by the charging surface and diverted back toward the surface is detected, and a transient of the diverted hydrogen flux is measured. The hydrogen diffusivity of the metal structure is then determined based on the measured transient.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of measuring a hydrogen diffusivity of a metal structure including during operation of the metal structure, are provided. A hydrogen charging surface is provided at a first location on an external surface of the structure. In addition, a hydrogen oxidation surface is provided at a second location adjacent to the first location on the external surface of the structure. Hydrogen flux is generated and directed into the metal surface at the charging surface. At least a portion of the hydrogen flux generated by the charging surface is diverted back toward the surface. A transient of the diverted hydrogen fluxes measured, and this measurement is used to determine the hydrogen diffusivity of the metal structure in service.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a surface of a structure for defects includes an inspection apparatus having a heating device for heating a section of the surface of the structure, an infrared camera for receiving infrared radiation from the surface in response to heating, a controller configured to generate thermographs from the received infrared radiation, and a communication device. A training system includes an expert system module configured to determine correlations between a set of thermographs generated by a thermal simulation of modeled structural elements with defects, and parameters of the modeled structural elements. A computer system communicatively coupled to the training system and the inspection apparatus, is adapted to receive thermographs received from the inspection apparatus and to detect quantitative parameters of defects in the structure using the correlations obtained from the training system.

Abstract: The present application concerns in-situ intrusive probe systems and methods. The probe systems described herein can be installed flush to a hydrocarbon containing structure, such as a pipeline, vessel, or other piping system carrying crude, gas or sour products. The probe systems include hydrogen induced cracking (HIC)-resistant microstructure such that as atomic hydrogen permeates the probe surface, the probe captures recombined hydrogen gas. The pressure of the resultant hydrogen gas buildup is measured and predictions as to the HIC activity of that area can be made.

Abstract: Methods and systems of predicting the growth rate of hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) in a physical asset (e.g., a pipeline, storage tank, etc.) are provided. The methodology receives a plurality of inputs regarding physical characteristics of the asset and performs parametric simulations to generate a simulated database of observations of the asset. The database is then used to train, test, and validate one or more expert systems that can then predict the growth rate and other characteristics of the asset over time. The systems herein can also generate alerts as to predicted dangerous conditions and modify inspection schedules based on such growth rate predictions.

Abstract: This present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for collecting small amounts, sub mg levels, of elemental sulfur (or other trace elements such as mercury) deposited from the ppm levels of elemental sulfur (or other trace elements such as mercury) contained in gases found in typical oil production environments or gas streams with anticipated sulfur deposition problems, as well as in industries other than oil and gas. An analytical chemistry technique for determining the amount of sulfur collected is used and from this result, the solubility of sulfur in a gas at a fixed temperature, pressure and gas composition can be calculated.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for monitoring hydrogen-induced cracking in at least one test specimen. The method includes the steps of: saturating a test solution with a gas comprising H2S and delivering the saturated test solution into a test cell, wherein the test cell comprises at least one specimen port and at least one test specimen. The specimen port is configured to receive the test specimen. The method also includes the step of exposing the at least one test specimen to the saturated test solution, wherein only one surface of each specimen is exposed to the saturated test solution and the step of scanning the test specimen with a ultrasonic transducer at two or more time points, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is operatively connected to the specimen port and configured to rotate completely around the symmetry axis of the test specimen to complete each scan.