Assessing the Condition of Pipe and Substrate under Composite WrapsCopy Link

Composite repair systems using composite wraps remain a constant repair option for industries requiring the repair and rehabilitation of piping systems. Sellafield’s site in Cumbria has a significant number of composite wraps already in use and plans to use them in future however, as it’s not possible to see through or under the composite materials, it is not possible to check:

• if the composite wrap has been installed correctly
• if the composite integrity is present·   
• if the bond between the composite and the substrate is still holding (for example, is there a leak?)
• the condition of the asset underneath (has the problem stopped, is it still progressing and is remedial work required)

Solutions to all of the above would allow Sellafield to have confidence in the installation, performance and life of the repair. It is of particular importance to understand when a failure is about to occur. 

Understanding the condition of these repairs will allow more extensive use of composite wraps as a means of repairing pipes across the site, saving both time and costs.

Whilst not limiting the technologies from solution providers, it is expected that solutions would consider innovations from some of the following areas:

• Oil and gas sector
• Chemical industry
• Defence sector
• Sensors and advanced imaging
• Analytical instrument manufacture
• Food & Drink Industry
• Energy / Utilities, including water, gas, etc
• Medical / healthcare sector (inc. pharmaceutical sector)
• Agriculture
• Aerospace
• Transport infrastructure

To meet the desired timescale and minimise risk, it is preferred that the proposed solution, or the key part(s) of the solution, has been previously demonstrated in an industrial environment (>TRL 6).  The solution should be achievable with health and safety requirements and regulations.