Pipelines represent an efficient, safe way to transport many kinds of liquids and gases. Other methods such as truck or rail transport are more expensive, have a larger carbon footprint and are more likely to experience leakage, theft or accident that may imperil people and the environment.

Pipelines can leak or break, too, of course. Good practice and regulatory requirements make leak detection a necessary part of pipeline operation.

Many different methods have been used to detect leaks. The options for leak detection include non-continuous methods, such as inspection by helicopter, smart pigging or even specially trained sniffer dogs, said Daniel Vogt, product manager at Krohne, in a presentation recorded at a NAMUR (User Association of Automation Technology in Process Industries) annual meeting.

With the availability of affordable 3D printing equipment and services, this technology is now within reach of companies that have not been able to use it before. Over time, those who start experimenting with 3D printing will find more and more applications for making work easier, safer, more consistent and more economical.

Since 3D printing can make intricate, precise shapes, it is ideal for making manufacturing aids that hold or align parts or assemblies. No one argues that jigs and fixtures can aid the manufacturing process. In the past, however, the economics of conventionally made manufacturing aids often meant they were not used because they were too pricey to be cost effective and too time-consuming to build. Now a fixture of similar functionality can be 3D printed at a fraction of the cost in a fraction of the time. This makes jigs and fixtures economical in many more applications. The time has come to take another look at how and where jigs and fixtures can help the manufacturing process.

Because human-produced carbon dioxide (CO₂) has been recognized as a major contributor to global climate change, governments and other organizations and institutions worldwide have sought to decrease its impact. They’ve sought ways to reduce how much CO₂ is produced by improving efficiency of vehicles, power plants and other systems that burn fossil fuels. Another approach is carbon capture and storage (CCS), which is capturing CO₂ after it is produced it and preventing it from escaping into the atmosphere.

Valve internals, such as seats and closures, are often at risk of erosion, abrasion, corrosion, galling and damage from cavitation. Let’s take a took at what these hazards are and how hardfacing can help prevent damage.