简介：美国西南研究员（SwRI）最近推出新型高压实验室平台，针对需要高温高压试验的设备进行模拟测试。深水海洋模拟器可以以额定500°F的温度，承受30000帕压力，从而为海底高温高压井的设备测试提供试验平台。

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) recently unveiled a new hyperbaric test chamber for equipment that requires high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) testing. The deepwater ocean simulator is capable of attaining pressures of 30,000 psig at a rated temperature of 500°F, making it suitable for testing subsea technologies that will be used for the deepest and hottest subsea wells.

With an interior length of 10 ft, an inner diameter of 16 in., and a wall thickness of 11 in., the cylindrical simulator is crafted of SA-508-Grade 4N Class 2 material that has a tensile strength of 100,000 psi. SwRI designed and built the simulator in accordance with Section VIII-Division 2 rules of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

The chamber is rated to 30,000 psig, making it suitable for high-collapse tests on oil country tubular goods casing and to test subsea technologies that require proof test pressures beyond the ocean depths.

The institute has previously designed and built similar fixtures, which are housed in a 10,500-ft2 climate-controlled laboratory space on the SwRI campus in San Antonio, Texas. However, the new simulator has a pressure rating at least 10,000 psi higher than previous simulators, expanding SwRI's test capabilities for meeting demands made on tubular manufacturers for higher strength pipe at extreme deepwater well depths greater than 60,000 ft.

         Subsea production assembly being prepared for test in one of SwRI's simulators. 

"SwRI has offered test services to the offshore oil and gas industry for many years," said Jesse Ramon, manager of Test and Evaluation in SwRI's Mechanical Engineering Division. "This new simulator allows us to offer our clients the ability to test pipe materials, hose assemblies, and other items at extreme well depths and water depths. We can now test all grades of API pipe with outside diameters up to 14 in. and test lengths of 112 in. to pressures up to 30,000 psig or collapse, whichever occurs first."

For more information, contact Jesse Ramon by email, or by phone at +1.210.522.2441.