News archive 2007
NOVEMBER 2007: ABRIOX GOES FOR GROWTH!
Successful MERLIN CP monitoring system underpins UK/international office move.
Building on the success of our new MERLIN remote CP monitoring system, Abriox is pleased to announce the relocation of our UK office to new, larger premises at Imperial House, Newport.
Newport, a city of 138,800 people, is the venue of the Ryder Cup 2010. It has one of the most impressive inward investment records in the UK, especially in electronics, semiconductors, manufacturing, financial/business services and distribution/logistics.
Imperial House is a prestigious location, purpose-designed for technology-based R&D companies and easily accessible from the M4 motorway. The winner of a design-based competition, it projects a progressive appearance and sets high standards of detailing, with a fully managed conference core. The building accommodates a mix of embryonic and small high technology businesses with laboratory, advanced computer or communication requirements.
OCTOBER 2007: ABRIOX AWARDED UNITED UTILITIES CONTRACT
Abriox has been awarded a contract by United Utilities for remote monitoring of cathodic protection in Northern Gas Networks.
Following pilot trials held earlier this year (see NEWS: January 2007) the MERLIN system was selected to monitor transformer rectifiers across Northern Gas Networks. United Utilities has calculated that replacing manual functional checks at TRs with remote monitoring will deliver a payback of less than 18 months.
Network Officer Kevin Young gave the reasons for selecting Abriox’s MERLIN system:
“Abriox were the first company to actually ask us what we would require from a remote monitoring system. They came up with an excellent selection of monitors which can be adapted for a variety of scheme types throughout the network. Having successfully trialled the system, we are delighted to be implementing Merlin initially to cover our ‘functional’ monitoring inspections. We will be able to respond quickly to system failures rather than waiting a month to discover the problems. With such a large geographical area to cover, this will free up our technicians’ time and allow them to concentrate on other compliance issues.”
United Utilities acts as the Operator on behalf of Northern Gas Networks, whose network comprises 35,000km of gas distribution pipeline. It contains a mixture of large cities such as Newcastle, Sunderland, Leeds, York, Hull and Bradford and a significant rural area including North Yorkshire, Northumberland and northern Cumbria. The area has around 6.7 million inhabitants and approximately 2.5 million Northern Gas Networks customers.
SEPTEMBER 2007: NEW MERLIN ON THE PRODUCTION LINE
New MERLIN units reach customers; installations at TRs and test posts nationwide.
Abriox has set up production to ensure rapid delivery of MERLIN monitoring units to our customers – we hate to keep you waiting! The smaller size (see NEWS: May 2007) and improved serviceability of the units have proved extremely popular with customers, as has their ease of installation in the field, typically taking an hour or less per site.
In conjunction with our new CP System Manager software, MERLIN offers the most comprehensive remote CP monitoring system available, with unique features and very high performance based on two years of design, testing and input from CP professionals.
AUGUST 2007: NEW CP SYSTEM MANAGER SOFTWARE
CP System Manager software package v2 released; many new features.
We welcome customer feedback on our products and software and the new version 2.00 CPSM incorporates many new or improved features requested by users. These include: new CP graphs, status information, configuration screens, install package, GSM signal monitoring, improved reporting, etc.
As MERLIN TR and Test Post Monitors are deployed in the field they are automatically installed on CPSM, enabling users to immediately display and archive CP data, control monitor settings remotely and export to asset management programs. The software can handle unlimited numbers of monitors, making it very easy to expand the CP monitoring system in line with user requirements.
JUNE 2007: AC CORROSION STUDY COMPLETED
AC interference threatens pipeline integrity - MERLIN called in to assist.
In recent years it has become apparent that AC interference is a major threat to buried metal pipelines, with the potential to accelerate corrosion where localised coating defects occur.
A key design feature of the MERLIN Test Post Monitor is its ability to measure and monitor significant (up to 70V RMS) levels of AC on the pipeline while losing none of its accuracy in measuring sub-volt DC levels. Abriox has completed a CP monitoring study on a pipeline with known high and fluctuating levels of AC. The study, carried out in conjunction with a major UK gas company, tracked levels between 9-12VAC on the pipeline and, from the cyclical profile of the measurements, successfully identified the source of the interference. This enabled the operator to take measures to mitigate the effect of AC on the pipeline.
Abriox’s CP System Manager software automatically calculates current density (in A/m2), enabling users to quickly identify pipelines at risk from aggressive AC corrosion.
MAY 2007: SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL!
New MERLIN CP monitors 25% smaller than predecessors.
Size matters! Resulting from early trials with customers in the UK and US, Abriox has reduced the size of the MERLIN TR and test post monitors by a quarter. The new units, measuring a mere 125mm x 85mm x 55mm (5.0in x 3.4in x 2.2in) have lost none of their functionality but benefit from an improved mechanical design that also make them easier to assemble and test.
In the UK, CP measurements are taken at concrete tests posts (conventionally known as “M28” posts) with tight constraints due to the internal volume available behind the face plate and the rigid cables to pipe, reference cell and coupon. The new MERLIN monitor fits easily into a M28 – the connections can even be prewired to make installation even easier.
April 2007: MERLIN CP SYSTEM ON TRIAL IN US
US systems go live! Environmental factors the key for operators in Mid-West & South West.
Following its successful US launch in Nashville, March 11-15, Abriox Inc. has delivered its first MERLIN CP monitoring units and software to customers in the United States. The systems have been installed on a water utility CP system in the South West and on a crude oil pipeline in the mid-West; both operators are evaluating the performance of the system with a view to enlarging it if trials go well.
Environmental performance is key to the success of these projects – previous systems from other suppliers have failed to survive the frequent lightning strikes in the mid-West while heat and dust are the main issues in the South West. The MERLIN units have been designed to withstand relatively severe lightning discharges along the pipeline as well as extremes of temperature, humidity and particulate ingress.
MARCH 2007: ABRIOX EXHIBITS AT NACE CORROSION EXPO
Abriox exhibited the Merlin Remote CP Monitoring System at NACExpo in Nashville, Tennessee (March 11-15). Visitors to our booth were impressed with the compactness and performance of the unit and many good contacts were made with CP engineers in the US and internationally.
FEBRUARY 2007: INNOVATION PROJECT EXTENDED
Abriox has won a further grant from the Welsh Assembly Government under the SMARTCymru programme. The new award recognises the success of the recently completed Industrial Research project and particularly the huge potential of the Merlin Remote CP Monitoring System that is presently undergoing trials with petrochemical and gas companies. The system is now headed for full production and is generating considerable interest in both UK and US oil and gas sectors.
The SMARTCymru programme is aimed at SMEs in Wales and supports the research, development and exploitation of technologically innovative products and processes.
JANUARY 2007: MERLIN TRIALS EXPAND TO GAS SECTOR
Pilot trials of the Merlin Remote CP Monitoring System have commenced in two UK gas companies.
There are about 11,000 miles of gas transmission pipeline in the UK. Many transformer rectifiers are located in inaccessible areas, requiring considerable manpower to carry out the functional and operational checks that are necessary. Test posts that are “at risk” include those located at busy roadsides, pipeline intersections, near compressor stations or at the midpoint between TRs.
The Merlin system offers huge cost savings for TR monitoring and will improve safety by remotely monitoring “at risk” posts.
