In this issue: - the Institute of Corrosion

INSTITUTENEWSAberdeen Branch Meeting February 2012UK CUI Industrial Forum-10 Years ProgressOn the 28th February 2012 the Aberdeenbranch meeting was held at the Palm Courthotel. The guest speaker was John Thirkettlewho is a corrosion consultant of forty-eight(48) years work experience. John explainedthe concept of Corrosion Under Insulation(CUI) with illustrative photographs showingits insidious nature. He noted that althoughthe concept has been known for a while,professionals were still looking for a practicalsolution after years of research. He mentionedthat the reason was that initial research wasconducted in a disorganised way withoutenough communication between variousresearch groups. He explained how majorchanges the oil and gas industry in the 1970’sbrought about new insulation systems andwith it some problems, which only cameto light about twenty (20) years later. Heexplained how the Forum has used proactiveworkshops to share knowledge, experienceand information on CUI, reminiscing on theearly days of the UK CUI Forum.John described the structure of the UK CUIIndustrial forum, its members, achievementover the last few years and its affiliations.He outlined the major workshop themes,which the forum had organised includingCUI detection systems, long range ultrasonictesting, thermally sprayed aluminium (TSA),insulation systems, cladding and protectivecoating systems. He went into some detailof the application of technologies such asthe hydrotector and long range UT for CUIdetection and their limitations. He notedthe successes in the application of thermallysprayed aluminium (TSA) illustrating itsapplication technique with photographs.He also touched on the benefits of applyingthe Pinovo surface preparation technology,which featured in the branch’s October 2011meeting, and explained how this technologycan be used to make the TSA applicationprocess more effective and cheaper. Hecovered new technologies like the aerogelblanket and its application.John Thirkettle went on to explain the Forum’scontribution to the European Federation ofCorrosion (EFC) document number 55, whichis a standard CUI guidance document anddiscussed its content. He outlined currentinitiatives of the Forum, which included atraining and certification scheme for insulationapplicators and inspectors. Questions from theaudience were on the application of drain plugsas an effective CUI mitigation technique andhow to use the EFC 55 guidance document.Members of the audience provided usefulinsight into historical practices of CUI and howthis could lead to problems in the future as theQ&A session evolved into an open technicaldiscussion.The ICorr branch chairman thanked thespeaker for his presentation and urged new/intending members to contact the committeemembers for more information on ICorr. PETbooklets, Corrosion Management magazinesand continuous professional developmentcertificates were distributed to membersimmediately after the meeting.More information about theAberdeen branch activitiescan be got from the ICorrAberdeen branch Secretary,Frances Blackburn,ICorrABZ@gmail.com.Alternatively, a calendar oflocal events of interest tocorrosion professionals inthe Aberdeen area and theopportunity to sign up tothe branch mailing list isavailable at https://sites.google.com/site/icorrabz/home.The branch chairman opens the meeting.Delegates networking before the meeting.Some members at the meeting.John Thirkettle.11