TPi July 2016

business & market news

Seal of approval for Trelleborg following accreditation

a long-standing collaboration between Trelleborg and Saipem. Following a rigorous testing process, this innovation has fulfilled the criteria to satisfy the EN1474-2 standard for LNG transfer. It comprises a floating hose based on a hose-in-hose concept with an outer rubber marine protective hose housing an inner LNG cryogenic composite layer – a technology already well established in ship-to-ship LNG transfer operations. Given the demanding environments in which these hoses are used, exhaustive checks must be in place to determine that they are fit for purpose, since design flaws can have a potentially enormous impact on production, cost and the environment. To meet the requirements of EN1474-2 standard, Trelleborg successfully tested several full-scale hose prototypes in static and dynamic conditions, with most of the tests taking place in cryogenic conditions at -196°C (-321°F). The tests demonstrated the ability of the hose to cope with extremely high loading conditions in severe operating environments. The innovation will help bring LNG transfer in line with similar operations in the oil sector, where more than 90 per cent of transfer operations now take place via a tandem configuration.

potential operational difficulties, as well as an increased scope for issues around safety, involving collision between the two vessels. This led to the development of a new approach. Vessels can now be situated in tandem with one behind the other, at a distance of approximately 100-150m (328 to 492ft), enhancing the overall safety and efficiency of the LNG transfer process through a larger operating window, and enabling LNG transfer to occur even in the most challenging weather conditions. Instrumental to the new configuration is a 0.5m (20") inner diameter and 20 barg working pressure cryogenic floating hose, developed as part of

Trelleborg’s fluid handling operation, a supplier of innovative flexible bonded hoses for the crude oil, chemicals and liquefied natural gas (LNG) offshore industries, has been awarded EN1474-2 accreditation following the development of a hose design for use in the transfer of LNG between floating terminals and carriers. It is the first product of its kind to receive this accreditation. Until recently, the majority of projects have adopted a side-by-side configu- ration when undertaking LNG transfer, with the end product transferred via a cryogenic marine loading arm between two vessels positioned alongside one another. The close proximity of the two vessels – as little as five metres (16ft) – has been known to lead to a number of

Tandem configuration LNG transfer

Trelleborg – Sweden www.trelleborg.com

Hexagon acquires Aicon 3D Systems Hexagon AB, a provider of information technologies that drive productivity and quality across geospatial and industrial enterprise applications, has announced the acquisition of Aicon 3D Systems, a provider of optical and portable non- contact 3D measuring systems for industrial manufacturing. mechanical engineering markets for more than 25 years.

“Aicon is a recognised brand with strong core technical competence across its development teams, and its scanner portfolio is a strategic fit,” said Hexagon president and CEO Ola Rollén. “We also see opportunities for international expansion of Aicon’s wider portfolio throughout Hexagon’s global footprint.”

Its portfolio includes portable coordinate measuring machines for universal applications and specialised optical 3D measuring systems that enable high-precision monitoring, quality assurance and control in manufacturing production. Aicon has a direct presence in Germany; subsidiaries in China, Korea, Japan and the USA; and a network of resellers worldwide supported by its field support resources.

Hexagon AB – Sweden www.hexagon.com

Founded in 1990 and based in Braunschweig, Germany, Aicon has supplied measurement technology to automotive manufacturers and companies in the aerospace, shipbuilding, renewable energy and

Aicon 3D Systems GmbH – Germany info@aicon.de www.aicon3d.de

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Tube Products International July 2016

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