Petroleum fields can either be ‘sweet’ (i.e. just CO₂-containing) or ‘sour’ (i.e. both CO₂ and H₂S-containing). The major threat associated with sweet services is mainly corrosion wastage (general or localised) and thinning of the wall thickness through time that can be predicted and inspected for, whilst the major threat associated with sour service is sudden and unpredictable cracking, with detection in a timely manner by inspection difficult, if not impossible. The resistance to sour service is material specific and the acceptable limits are codified in the international standards (ISO 15156 and NACE MR0175). These standards do not fully address welded / cladded / lined corrosion resistant materials, leaving the decision on suitability responsibility with the operators.

The aim of this is project to establish the relationship between weld overlay type/chemistry and resistance to sour service cracking, taking into account the manufacturing variability in terms of weld chemistry/welding process / procedure / consumables, and post welding / cladding heat treatment, and to define rules for safe operating limits.

The project will need to develop an understanding of the influence of the weld chemistry and heat treatment on the microstructure of 625 overlay / clad / liner, especially with respect to iron dilution/content (weld chemistry) and carbide precipitation (heat treatment) and to understand the impact of these variations on the corrosion resistance performance. Corrosion performance will be assessed using standard test methods, such as ASTM G28, as well as in simulated service conditions.

This project will be carried out as part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Embedded Intelligence and is co-sponsored by National Structural Integrity Research Centre (NSIRC).

This Centre, in collaboration with NSIRC, offers an attractive package, including a tax free stipend of up to £17k pa (equivalent £24k tax free), in addition to full University PhD registration fees for British and EU candidates. Due to UKBA Visa regulations applications from overseas students cannot be accepted for this position. Additionally, there is a generous personal development budget of £10,000for the specific training needs of the successful candidate.

The Centre offers a unique 4-year Ph.D. programme, drawing on expertise in postgraduate teaching and research supervision in the fields of sensors, system design, embedded software and systems, manufacturing systems, novel manufacturing processing, applications engineering and systems services. The PhD candidate will be supported by the state-of-the-art facilities at NSIRC andLoughborough University.

A high calibre candidate with first or upper second class (2:1) degree in mechanical, Electrical/Electronics or Civil/Structural Engineering, Material Science, Metallurgy or Physics. Candidates with suitable work experience and strong capacity in numerical modelling and experimental skills are particularly welcome to apply.

Further information can be obtained from Dr Donna Palmer, e-mail: cdt-ei<στο>lboro.ac.uk

For more information about The National Structural Integrity Research Centre, visit www.nsirc.co.uk

Please direct general enquiries to: enquiries<στο>nsirc.co.uk

The deadline for applications is 30^th April 2015.

Please quote Ref No.: 2015CDTEI_NSIRC7 on your application. Apply here