Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

In oil and gas industry, corrosion and abrasion are a destructive phenomenon that poses a serious threat to continued pipeline operation and ultimately the economy. Those problem of pipelines used in the oil and gas industry is an ongoing concern that needs to be resolved. Therefore, a growing number of studies have been devoted to exploring various approaches for inhibiting or mitigating corrosion and abrasion. To achieve this requirement, pipeliners which are comprised to polymer composites with a carbon nanomaterial fillers can be applied to the inside of the hydro-transport pipeline for oil sands. This proposal will provide a significant technological advancement to the current state of pipeliner, based on the polyurethane carbon nanotube/grapheme composites, for hydro-transport piping system. Through an industrial partnership with Pro-flange, this proposed pipeliner will contain chemically modified and size controlled carbon nanotubes/graphene to increase its erosion and abrasion resistant properties. Then, polymer compounding system or polymer casting process will be developed to fabricate the lined pipe to apply the industrial field test by closely working with Profalnge's current contracted coating firm. This unique hydro-transport system will extend the replacement period rather than conventional piping system for Canadian oil sands. This research and development of high corrosion and abrasion resistant pipeliner system for oil sands necessitates fundamental knowledge of a polymer composite and carbon nanotube/graphene as well as industrial experience about the piping system. For this reason, the proposed research will strengthen the academic-industrial relationship between Pro-Flange staff and Dr. Yu's and Elkamel's research group at University of Waterloo.