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Oct 27, 2015

What is Fusion Energy?


Fusion energy is a potential source of power that involves harnessing the energy produced by nuclear fusion reactions. Fusion occurs when atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a significant amount of energy in the process. This is the same process that powers the sun and other stars. In a fusion reaction, light elements like hydrogen isotopes (deuterium and tritium) are heated to extremely high temperatures (millions of degrees Celsius) and put under immense pressure. These extreme conditions cause the nuclei to overcome their natural repulsion and collide, fusing together to form a heavier nucleus. This fusion process releases tremendous amounts of energy, much more than what's released in typical chemical reactions like burning fossil fuels.
The potential advantages of fusion energy are substantial:

1. Abundant Fuel: The primary fuels for fusion, deuterium and lithium, are widely available in seawater and the Earth's crust, ensuring a nearly limitless supply.
2. Clean Energy: Fusion reactions don’t produce greenhouse gases or long-lived radioactive waste, making it a potentially cleaner energy source compared to fossil fuels and current nuclear fission technologies.
3. High Energy Output: Fusion reactions release vast amounts of energy from relatively small amounts of fuel.

However, achieving a sustainable and controllable fusion reaction has been a significant scientific challenge. Current experimental fusion reactors require more energy input to sustain the reaction than they produce, although significant progress has been made in recent years. Efforts to develop practical fusion power involve various experimental approaches, such as tokamaks (doughnut-shaped magnetic confinement devices), inertial confinement (using powerful lasers to compress and heat the fuel), and other innovative methods. Several countries and international collaborations have dedicated research programs aimed at eventually harnessing fusion energy as a viable and sustainable power source for the future.

What is Fracking?


Fracking Explanation

Fracking: Hydraulic Fracturing

Fracking, short for hydraulic fracturing, is a method used to extract natural gas and oil from underground rock formations.

Process Overview:

  1. Well Drilling: A well is drilled vertically or at an angle deep into the earth.
  2. Horizontal Drilling: The drill may turn horizontally, accessing a larger area of the shale rock.
  3. Fracturing the Rock: High-pressure mixture of water, sand, and chemicals is injected into the well, creating fractures in the rock.
  4. Extraction: Released gas or oil flows back up the well to the surface for collection and processing.

Controversies:

  • Water Contamination: Concerns about potential groundwater contamination due to chemicals used in the process.
  • Air Pollution: Release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and methane into the air.
  • Earthquakes: Some areas have experienced increased seismic activity linked to fracking.
  • Resource Depletion and Climate Impact: Dependence on fossil fuels obtained through fracking can contribute to climate change.

Regulations and ongoing research aim to understand and mitigate the environmental impacts of fracking.

Oct 25, 2015

What Is Caisson Inspection ?

Caisson Inspection

What is Caisson First?
  • Protective carbon steel vertical pipes on offshore platforms
  • Protect internal components including pumps, risers and discharge systems
  • 1” wall thickness
  • 15” to 60” diameter
  • 20m – 90m in length
  • Up to 50 tonnes in weight
  • 3 types of caissons:
Ø  Pump
Ø  Dump
Ø  Carrier
  
Caisson Challenges
1. Caisson failures carry high risk of:
  • Dropped objects
  • Increased financial costs
  • Legal penalties
  • Environmental damage
  • Safety incidents
  • Platform shutdown
2. Difficult to get accurate and reliable inspection data at critical areas:
  • Topsides (above water)
  • Splash zone
  • Subsea (below water)
3. Many interfaces involved for projects:
  • Numerous client departments
  • Sub-contractors
Innovative Solution for Caisson Inspection

  • INTERNALLY deployed inspection tools
  • Three phased inspection
  • Visual camera inspection
  • Caisson cleaning using HPWJ *
  • Ultrasonic measurements of caisson wall
  • Topsides and subsea inspections in one go
  • Fully comprehensive data