TPT May 2016

T E CHNOLOG Y

New friction saw blade SW Wil, Switzerland, which specialises in sawing and cutting techniques, has introduced a new worldwide standard by developing a friction saw blade called SwissCut HR ® .

welding lines owing to higher cutting performance. SwissCut HR ® friction saw blades are offered in dimensions from Ø350mm to Ø1,800mm. SW Wil Werkzeug- und Maschinenhandel AG – Switzerland

blades, exhibits a number of substantial improvements. These include up to 300 per cent higher cutting tool life compared to standard friction saw blades made of 1.2235 resulting in a remarkable reduction of crack formation in the blades depending on the ductile material structure caused by residual stresses, increased cutting quality and less downtime of the tube

Based on a CrV tool steel and using a special thermo-chemical treatment, SW Wil engineers succeeded in obtaining a material structure that, in comparison to standard friction saw

Email: swwil@sw-will.com Website: www.sw-will.com

Removing hydrofluoric acid from the pickling process

of this class of materials. A problem that presented itself initially was linked to an early ageing of the solution, with the consequent increase of waste for the replacement of the tank and the production of sludge for disposal. The quantity of sludge, following the improvement of the procedure, became comparable to that obtained using the traditional process. Thanks to these initial studies, the use of hydrofluoric acid in the pickling process has been eliminated, and on a laboratory scale, the process also recorded a decrease in working time of 70 per cent. Following a successful test phase, the project continued with the pilot phase. In October 2015 Rivit proceeded with the construction of a mini-plant for testing, in order to verify the new process and the electrolytic solution on non-flat samples, taking into account the geometric factor, which could cause problems of electrical fields tangential to the surface, and their response on different families of alloys.

staRtED in 2014 and part-funded by the EU, through the LIFE programme, the three-year project HFreelifepickling aims to eliminate the use of hydrofluoric acid in the pickling process used to make corrosion-resistant large tubes for building pipes for the oil and gas sector. The companies that have promoted and developed the project are Rivit, an Italian manufacturer of pipes and fittings in stainless steel and special alloys, and Henkel, a German chemical multinational, together with a public body – the Province of Vicenza – whose main task is verifying performance with respect to environmental impact and health of workers. thefirstphasehasparticularlyinvolved the Italian laboratories of Henkel in the province of Milan. For around a year, the chemical company has researched a new electrolytic solution that would allow effective pickling without the use of hydrofluoric acid – a component almost always present in the treatment system

The mini-plant for testing the new pickling process without the use of hydrofluoric acid

The small plant has allowed a more accurate estimate of the effectiveness of the treatment on the tubular geometry and the powers in play. As a result of these tests, the partners obtained the fundamental measurements in order to minimise the energy consumption and to study the best design for maximising the production capacity of the pilot plant that will be built by the end of 2016. HFreelifepickling will end in mid-2017. The main innovation of the project will favour a lower environmental impact on a large scale. It will ensure greater safety for operators employed in pickling departments, and a reduction in working time of 70 per cent.

Henkel, Rivit, Province of Vicenza and European Union representatives at the Henkel headquarters in Milan, in October 2015

HFreelifepickling – Italy Website: www.hfreelifepickling.eu

Rivit SpA – Italy Email: info@rivit.com Website: www.rivit.com

Henkel AG & Co KGaA – Germany Website: www.henkel.com

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M ay 2016