Corrosion Engineering: A Working Day to Remember

Corrosion Engineering: A Working Day to Remember

Blogs, Corrosion Science Division, PFP

5 Talks, 4 Working Group Sessions, 1 Prestigious Award, and a New Chair… Phew!

The corrosion engineering community was able to get together and do what they do best at the Institute of Corrosion’s Corrosion Engineering Division (CED) Working Day and Symposium in April. Discuss latest trends, share knowledge, and brainstorm ideas and concepts.

Held at the magnificent National Railway Museum in York, this was the latest in a series of CED Working Days that offer delegates exceptional networking opportunities – as well as a chance to visit the museum.

A welcome to introduce a sad farewell

Nick Smart, Chair of CED, welcomed the delegates to the event and introduced the speakers. This was the last Working Day and Symposium that Nick has introduced, as, after 15 years of excellent service as the CED Chair, he is stepping down.

Nick’s shoes will be challenging to fill, and the meeting showed their appreciation for his unstinting efforts and contribution throughout his years at the helm. A sad but celebratory farewell, and a warm welcome to the incoming Chair.

Introducing the Corrosion Engineering Division’s new Chair

Before the main proceedings began, Nick Smart introduced the delegates to the CED’s new Chair, Danny Burkle.

While Nick will be a hard act to follow, we’re incredibly lucky to have Danny taking over the steering of the CED.

A business development engineer, Danny’s prime responsibilities in his role at LBBC Baskerville include developing business strategy, business, and product range for innovative corrosion testing autoclaves to simulate realistic field environments within several high-pressure and high-temperature applications and industries.

His Doctorate in mechanical engineering, which he completed at the University of Leeds, focused on corrosion mechanisms involved in carbon dioxide corrosion, and protecting carbon steel assets against corrosion by forming natural corrosion products. The industry-focused research, sponsored by BP, was based on real-life engineering problems.

With both academic and industry experience, Danny’s role as CED Chair could help to forge closer relationships between research and industry.

Knowledge transfer in five presentations

Through the day, delegates were treated to five presentations around this year’s theme of ‘Knowledge Transfer and the Management of Infrastructure Corrosion and Management’:

1.     Hot dip galvanizing for specification and use in infrastructure projects

Presented by Desmond Makepeace of the Galvanisers Association, this talk began by describing the galvanising process, with reference to the appropriate standard EN ISO 1461.

Desmond discussed a variety of defects, which of these can be tolerated, and factors affecting the quality of galvanising, including coating thickness, renovation, adhesion, joining-bolting, duplex systems, maintenance, venting of hollow sections, and overlapping sections. He also discussed how the atmosphere affects corrosion of galvanised structures.

2.     Best management practices to transfer knowledge to ensure integrity assurance optimisation for oil and gas production

One of the highlights of the Working Day, this Young ICorr talk was given by Izabela Gajewska. Izabela was a member of the winning team of the 2020 cohort of the Institute of Corrosion’s Young Engineer Programme (YEP) (which you can read about in our article ‘A case study for all young corrosion engineers – it could be you’).

Izabela discussed the nature of knowledge transfer, and the best practices to ensure this happens effectively and successfully – such as planning, work experience, mentoring, specialised training, attending conferences, and so on. She spoke about creating an effective mentoring strategy, delivery of training, and the value of external training courses in areas including coating, passive fire protection, cathodic protection, and risk assessments.

3.     The consequences of climate change for corrosion

Chris Atkins of Mott MacDonald gave a thought leadership talk, discussing his ideas around climate change and corrosion. For example, can we rely on historically established corrosion rates as emissions of carbon dioxide are increasing? An ensuing reduction in the pH of natural waters could make them more aggressive to concrete, though it may reduce the corrosion rate of galvanised steel.

Temperature increases reduce the dissolved oxygen content in water, but Chris demonstrated how this temperature increase does not automatically produce an increase in corrosion rates – and a reduction in carbon dioxide levels from today’s elevated levels is likely to reduce atmospheric corrosivity.

The real issue? As far as Chris is aware, no one is taking a global view of the effect of climate change on corrosion, and this leads Chris to ask one last question: is this an opportunity for the Institute of Corrosion to take a leading role?

4.     Academia and industry: How can we advance corrosion science and engineering together?

“Academics want to publish. Companies want to make money.”

Old thinking.

Richard Barker of Leeds University addressed this in a thought-provoking talk that pointed to research around this topic, as well as opportunities and challenges that exist for academia and commercial operations to collaborate more effectively.

While academia has the time and resource to produce new knowledge which can be used commercially, barriers that exist include complexity of communication to share knowledge and the complexity of initiating and continuing collaboration.

Perhaps the biggest challenge is trust. Industry must trust scientists, but the complex and ever-changing nature of large bodies of academic research makes this challenging for many businesses. However, we are seeing that some companies are developing strategies to identify and reach out to research groups for collaborative projects – and creating collaborative success.

The conclusion? Yes, there are challenges that exist, but these can be overcome with the correct approach from both sides. If we can do this, then there are significant benefits to be accessed from greater collaboration between academia and industry.

5.     Radioactive waste disposal – where corrosion science meets corrosion engineering

In the first presentation of the afternoon session, Nick Smart gave his last CED Working Day and Symposium presentation as Chair.

Nick discussed the three levels of radioactive waste, and discussed the various research that supports the corrosion engineering and safety assessment aspects of radioactive waste management.

Describing corrosion issues that exist (such as atmospheric external corrosion of stainless steel waste containers during interim storage, the corrosion behaviour of waste uranium, aluminium and Magnox after encapsulation in cement, and the long-term corrosion of waste containers after disposal in deep geological repositories), he pointed out that the UK’s total nuclear waste inventory would fill Wembley Stadium.

Nick discussed the two main concepts for geological disposal of high-level waste, and the challenges that exist within diverse global geological environments – key environmental considerations when disposing of radioactive waste underground include oxygen concentration, chloride and sulphide concentrations, radiation levels and microbial activity.

Nick outlined the analytical techniques that are used to characterise the corrosion behaviour and corrosion rates of candidate waste container materials in long-term in situ experiments conducted under representative conditions, and how such studies can be supported by comparison with the corrosion of natural analogues, such as archaeological artefacts like the Anglo-Saxon Coppergate Helmet currently exhibited in the Yorkshire Museum.

The session concluded with a short talk by Stuart Bond from AMPP. He discussed the development of revised standards being conducted by AMPP (a merger between SSPC/NACE was rolled out in January 2021).

The Working Group Meetings

At the end of the talks, delegates had an opportunity to visit the National Railway Museum and attend Working Group Meetings. This year the following groups held sessions:

·       Nuclear Corrosion Group

Chaired by Nick Smart, the Nuclear Corrosion Group met to discuss a wide range of corrosion issues arising during the storage of nuclear waste. These included assessment of pitting corrosion in stainless steel during storage in atmospheric conditions, the effects of microbial corrosion on cast iron under damp conditions, and the potential for galvanic corrosion of stainless steel in contact with graphite in cementitious environments.

·       Coatings Group

There was plenty to discuss in this group, chaired by Phillip Watkinson. This included:

  • The impending review of the Coatings Technical Information Documents (CTID), created in 2016-17
  • The transfer of NACE Coatings Standards to AMPP
  • A suggestion by Douglas Mills that EIS measurements (ISO 12944) be reviewed
  • Phillip Watkinson tabled that two Paints and Varnishes Standards (BS EN ISO 4628-1:2003 and 4628-2:2003) should also be reviewed

It was agreed that an interim meeting would be held ahead of next year’s CED Working Day.

·       Cathodic Protection Group

Acting Chair Chris Lynch directed discussion around subsea CP systems and performance of flush fit aluminium deep sea anodes on complex piping systems. This included current distribution, current density, anode installation methodology and expected performance along with coatings, anode corrosion products, and calcareous deposits.

·       All Energy Group

Chaired by Steve Paterson, all those present contributed to a positive discussion about the purpose of the group, which has been formed by adding renewables to the previous Oil and Gas Group. Items covered included:

  • Production of documents
  • Mentoring of Young ICorr members
  • Information exchange via networking
  • Engagement with other organisations like AMPP

After an update with regards to standards, it was agreed that another meeting would be held in October.

The Paul McIntyre Award

As is customary at the CED Working Day and Symposium, before the group broke for lunch, the President presented the Paul McIntyre Award.

This year’s recipient of this prestigious award, the premier engineering award of the Institute of Corrosion, was Chris Lynch, who has worked tirelessly for many years and made many outstanding contributions to many aspects of corrosion engineering. You can read more about the award and Chris’s contributions in our article ‘Chris Lynch – Recipient of the Paul McIntyre Award 2022’.

Don’t miss out on the benefits of the CED

The CED is a driving force within the corrosion industry. It shares news, views, and learning to the Institute’s membership, via several channels, including:

Chairs of individual Working Groups liaise with counterparts at other corresponding Working Groups in international bodies. The Working Groups also provide a mechanism for members to collaborate effectively; for example, by jointly preparing documents that are of immediate and practical use to them in their field of activity. Such documents are downloadable within the Members Area of the ICorr website.

If you are not already a member of the Institute of Corrosion, check out our membership page to learn how to become a member and immediately begin to enjoy the many benefits of membership of the Institute of Corrosion.

A Case Study for All Young Corrosion Engineers – It Could Be You

A Case Study for All Young Corrosion Engineers – It Could Be You

Blogs, Corrosion Engineering Division, Corrosion Science Division, YEP

Rewards, Awards, and Benefits of Participating in the Young Engineer Programme

Here’s a case study for all young corrosion engineers:

Do what you love to do. Receive grade A mentorship in the process. Develop your learning and understanding, and make new connections to deepen your professional network. Oh, and win a fully expensed trip to the 5-day AMPP Annual Conference & Expo in the USA.

Too good to be true? Not for the winning team of the 2020 cohort of the Institute of Corrosion’s Young Engineer Programme (YEP).

What is the Young Engineer Programme?

The YEP is specifically designed for engineers at the early stage of their careers in the corrosion industry. A series of lectures are presented, and the group is divided into teams and challenged to present solutions to a real-life case study.

The lectures cover subject areas including:

  • Basic corrosion
  • Welding
  • Materials
  • Coatings
  • Painting, fire protection and linings
  • Cathodic protection
  • Chemical treatments
  • Presentation skills

These lectures are designed to provide the theoretical and practical guidance needed to complete the case study. To aid progress toward their goal, each team is allocated a mentor with relevant and recognised industry expertise and experience.

There was a total of 30 young engineers enrolled in the 2020 cohort, all able to take advantage of this immensely valuable (and free) course. The YEP enrolled engineers divided into seven teams of between three and five for the case study.

The mentors were:

  • Andrew Sturgeon, Manager Materials Engineering at Genesis Energies, London
  • Chris Googan, Materials & Corrosion Engineer at Anticorrosion Engineering Limited
  • Charles Barraclough, Materials and Welding Engineer
  • Tasos Kostrivas PhD, ΕMBA, MSc, FIMMM
  • David Shaw, Lead QC coating/insulation/PFP Saipem
  • Rob Doggett, Materials and Welding Engineer at Fluor
  • John Davies, Consultant QA Engineer at Fulkrum Technical Services

Throughout the programme, guests included Bill Hedges, Gareth Hinds, Steve Paterson, Danny Burkle, and Caroline Allanach and the Steering Group; Trevor Osborne, Alan Denny, Anthony Setiadi, and David Mobbs.

The case study – the challenge

The case study that the teams were asked to review and present their findings centred around a titanium pipe corrosion failure at an onshore glycol desalination plant, in which was found several leaks. The desalination plant is used to periodically remove the salts from glycol which is used for hydrate and corrosion control in gas pipelines from three offshore fields.

Particularly challenging in this case study is that the high-grade titanium spool would be expected to resist any form of corrosion in this service. After being given the complete case study, the teams were tasked to include the following in their submissions:

  • Propose credible root causes for the observed defects and describe the potential failure scenarios
  • Explain how you would perform a corrosion risk assessment to determine if the plant is safe to operate
  • Identify what mitigation options could be applied to prolong the service life of this section of the desalination plant
  • Propose alternative materials of construction for replacement pipe spools and describe the basis for the selection
  • Describe what other factors should be considered in your assessment and propose possible longer-term solution(s)

The case study – presentation and judging

The teams presented their case studies to a panel of judges (Sadegh Parvizi, Chris Williams, and John Boran) on 12th November 2020. Each 20-minute presentation was followed by five minutes allotted for questioning. While no team was allowed into the presentation meeting before their time, they were permitted to remain in the meeting to hear subsequent teams present.

The presentations began at 5pm after registration and introductions. Would presenting first be best? To get your presentation completed and then relax to watch others? Or maybe presenting last would be more advantageous – with extra time to do those last-minute preparations and practice? Or would each team feel the added pressure of more eyes on them as the evening progressed?

When the final presentation had been made, the presentation session was called to a close. During a 20-minute break in proceedings, the judges deliberated, cogitated, and digested the tremendous presentations they had been served in seven courses (sorry, we couldn’t resist pinching from Lloyd Grossman’s Master Chef catchphrase!).

To be honest, there was very little to choose between the case study tasks completed. Each team’s findings had terrific merit – a testament to their mentorship, the lectures they had attended, and the collaborative capability of each team.

The deciding factor came down to presentation: the clarity and precision with which the winning team delivered its findings and answered the challenging questions posed by the judges.

And the winning team… Drum roll…

Team number four, mentored by Tasos Kostrivas, and comprising:

  • Ryan Cobbs, civil engineer at Mott MacDonald
  • Izabela Gajewska, corrosion engineer at Intertek
  • Harry Wright, corrosion engineer at Element
  • Praveena Nkumaran, mechanical engineer at Worley Parsons
  • Lemoine Vincent, welding engineer at Saipem

The grand prize – the fully expensed trip to the AMPP Annual Conference & Expo 2022

Because of Covid, the delivery of the grand prize was unavoidably delayed by a year. Nevertheless, the winning team – unfortunately minus Praveena who was unable to attend – set out off for San Antonio in Texas for the AMPP Annual Conference & Expo in March 2022.

For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event. For only a select few young engineers, their attendance is fully expensed, courtesy of YEP sponsor BP.

This event is the largest of its kind in the corrosion world. There are more than 500 technical paper presentations, almost 500 exhibitors, opportunities to gain credits toward career development, and the chance to hear from some of the best corrosion professionals on the planet – as well as meet and connect with peers from around the globe.

And it wasn’t only these four young engineers who attended the conference and expo in San Antonio. Thanks to the sponsorship of Pipeline Induction Heat, James McGladdery (National Nuclear Laboratory) and Benjamin Lee (SGN) were selected to join the AMPP Leadership Course for their performance during the programme.

The YEP experience through the winners’ eyes

Winning at anything isn’t a cake walk. It takes hard work, effort, and determination. It takes learning and enthusiasm. How does YEP stand up to scrutiny from the inside?

Here’s what Izabela Gajewska said about her experience:

“Taking part in 2020 Young Engineer Programme was an amazing experience and a great opportunity for networking. All lectures were interesting and very educational. I got an opportunity to learn more about areas of the industry that I am not involved a lot in my daily job including welding, fire protection, and chemical treatments.

“It was a great experience to work on the case study with colleagues from different companies and industry branches. The ideas and a views of all team members were equally valuable, enhanced creativity, and were essential to solve the case study and prepare the final presentation. I enjoyed collaboration and brainstorming very much.

“During solving the case study I had to motivate myself to look through many valuable research papers and technical books recommended by my team colleagues and our mentor, Tasos Kostrivas. I had also a chance to see different approaches to solve corrosion issues thanks to the diversity of the industries in my team. Apart from this, I feel that I have improved my planning and communication skills, teamwork, did some good networking, and made new friends.

“I also was delighted to take part in the 2022 Annual Conference by NACE/AMPP (Association for Materials Protection and Performance) in San Antonio, Texas and celebrate winning the Young Engineer Programme 2020 along with my team colleagues Vincent Lemoine, Ryan Cobbs, Harry Wright.

“One of my team colleagues, Praveena Nanthakumaran was not able to attend. Fortunately, she will be able to attend the next NACE/AMPP conference in Denver next year, and celebrate her well-deserved trip to the conference in the United States.

“For me, the highlight of the NACE/AMPP conference was the EMERGing Leaders Bash which included recognition and celebration, acknowledging the accomplishments of 2022 scholarship and award recipients including my winning team and two other colleagues accepted for the NACE/AMPP Leadership Programme:  James McGladdery and Ben Lee. It was an honour to be a part of this amazing and inspiring evening.”

To the present – a case study to whet the appetite

The 2022 YEP cohort have another real-life case study to become immersed in. This year’s candidates will be presenting in Aberdeen (held here for the first time, and aptly so). They have been asked to provide a corrosion risk assessment of a platform in the North Sea for a client who is planning to acquire the asset. But:

  • Corrosion on the platform has been poorly managed during the past 15 years, resulting in several hydrocarbon leaks
  • The teams must determine and present solutions to extend the life of the platform for another 10 years, making the exercise a real challenge
  • They must also identify materials selection for a new pipeline

A challenging, real-life case study that will help all the young engineers involved improve their learning and prove their competence. A fantastic addition to any CV.

To the future – it’s time to start thinking about pre-enrolment for YEP

Demand for places in the Institute of Corrosion’s Young Engineer Programme is always high. Benefitting from lectures given by some of the industry’s brightest minds, offering the chance to network and collaborate with some of the industry’s upcoming stars, and the opportunity to be rewarded with an incredible, fully expensed experience, it is not difficult to understand why.

If you are at an early stage of your career in the corrosion industry and would welcome extra experience to set you up for the future, please contact the Institute of Corrosion. We would be pleased to answer your questions and provide details of how you may pre-enrol for our next YEP cohort.

Don’t forget, also, to follow the Institute of Corrosion on our LinkedIn page – where we post regularly to keep the corrosion community updated.

If you’re not already, why not become a member of the Institute of Corrosion? We have many different membership options, including free student membership.

The 63rd Corrosion Science Symposium at Electrochem 2022: All You Need to Know

The 63rd Corrosion Science Symposium at Electrochem 2022: All You Need to Know

Blogs, Corrosion Science Division, PFP

Who Will Be Presented the Lionel Shreir and Galloway Awards This Year?

The Corrosion Science Symposium has been on a long journey through Covid. The 61st Symposium was forced to move online in 2020. While it was a remarkable success in its new format, we had hoped to return to business as usual in 2021. We did our best, but with the Covid laws that existed last year, the best we could do was a hybrid 62nd symposium – a residential option with live streaming, while ensuring we could deliver to our international membership and others in the corrosion community.

This year we are back to how our membership meets best, and in some style – and we’re seeking your input!

In person, and in Edinburgh

The 63rd Corrosion Science Symposium will be held as part of Electrochem 2022, a conference organized by the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Electrochemistry and Electroanalytical Sensing Systems interest groups, and the Society of Chemical Industry’s Electrochemical Technology Group.

As part of this, our Corrosion Science Symposium will take place on the 5th and 6th September. It’s the perfect opportunity for students and researchers in corrosion science and engineering to get together, network, and discuss their work. You’ll have the chance to share news, views, and ideas, and improve your own learning and knowledge.

What better city for our symposium than Edinburgh? What better venue than the John McIntyre Conference Centre?

This purpose-built conference and meeting venue can accommodate up to 330 delegates. With state-of-the-art audio visuals, a configurable plenary room, four large meeting rooms, executive boardrooms, a stunning view across Arthur’s Seat, and an exceptional bar for end-of-day socialising, this is a superb setting.

It’s not the place, it’s the people. It’s you.

Edinburgh’s John McIntyre Centre is a stimulating place for us all to meet. But not as stimulating as the people who gather here.

With delegates expected from around the world, you’ll be in the company of some of the finest and most forward-thinking, up-and-coming minds from all areas of corrosion science and engineering.

Presentations and discussions have never failed to inspire at the symposium, and the friendly, informal environment is highly conducive to making new acquaintances ─ and beginning life-long friendships within the industries we serve.

An opportunity to recognise excellence in the field of corrosion

The Institute of Corrosion’s Corrosion Science Symposium isn’t only an event for informal learning and networking. It has become synonymous with recognising student talent.

There are two awards directly connected with the Symposium: the Galloway Award and the Lionel Shreir Award.

The Lionel Shreir Award – Last call for submissions

This award is presented to the student who gives the best presentation at the Corrosion Science Symposium. It is awarded to the student(s) judged to have performed best across the following criteria when making their presentation:

  • Distinctiveness, originality, and creativity of research – impact on corrosion discipline
  • Knowledge of corrosion science and practice
  • Clarity of presentation and rapport with the CSS audience
  • Clarity when answering questions

All student presenters at the Corrosion Science Symposium are eligible to win this award of a certificate and cheque for £125.

Could you be this year’s Lionel Shreir Award winner?

To be considered to present at the Corrosion Science Symposium, please submit a 200-word abstract that details a 10-minute talk you would like to give at this year’s symposium before 8th July 2022. We’ll let you know if yours has been selected for presentation in plenty of time ahead of the symposium.

For the opportunity to be awarded the highly sought-after certificate and cash prize, send your abstract to j.a.wharton@soton.ac.uk.

The Galloway Award – We’re seeking submissions

Originally presented for either the best essay submission or work project report, the Galloway Award was first presented in 1976, and reinstated in 1998 in memory of Jack Galloway, a founder Member of the British Association of Corrosion Engineers (BACE) and former Chair of BACE Council.

The award of a certificate, a cheque for £300, and publication of the winning article in the Institute’s Corrosion Management magazine is given to the submission of the best submitted or published paper from the previous 12 months.

Have you produced award-winning work?

We are seeking submissions of copies of students’ published or submitted papers from the last 12 months. The student should be the primary author of the paper. Supervisors may nominate students. Submissions for the award will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Distinctiveness, originality, and creativity of research – impact on corrosion discipline
  • Contribution to corrosion science and practice
  • Clarity of presentation

As well as receiving the Galloway Award, the winning student will be invited to present his or her work at the Symposium.

Submissions should be made to the Corrosion Science Division Chair, Dr Julian Wharton by email to j.a.wharton@soton.ac.uk.

If you would like further information about the Institute of Corrosion awards, please click here.

To learn more about Electrochem 2022 and register to attend the event, please click here.

Passive Fire Protection Courses: An Update from ICorr

Passive Fire Protection Courses: An Update from ICorr

Blogs, PFP

PFP Training to Suit You

The Covid pandemic has taken its toll on all industries around the world. It has disrupted business and delayed projects, but crucial learning, such as passive fire protection courses, cannot be ignored.

Here at ICorr, we continued to work with our partners behind the scenes to ensure that as the world returns to normality (whatever the so-called ‘new normal’ is), we can ramp up the sharing of corrosion knowledge, experience, and expertise. This includes delivery of an increasing range of corrosion training courses, qualifications, and certifications.

In this article, we provide an update on the Passive Fire Protection Courses that provide training to meet industry needs.

PFP is crucial, but competency is lacking

It is crucial that we protect facilities against fire by using high-performing passive fire protection. In high-risk facilities, such as oil and gas installations, this protection is most commonly offered by  epoxy intumescent coatings, protecting the structural steel from extreme heat and providing full corrosion protection as an added benefit.

In recent years, the industry has identified a shortfall of early-stage technical competency in PFP systems. This has led to higher risks, lower safety, and extra costs – all of which could be avoided by improving competencies in the application and inspection of PFP.

Training and qualification to improve expertise in PFP

The Institute of Corrosion (ICorr) came together with PFPNet and IMechE Argyll Ruane to design and deliver the new PFPNet Competency Framework, which is expected to be mandated by owners and stakeholders as a requirement for projects and operations. Central to this is the core PFP training required to improve (and prove) PFP competencies:

  • PFPNet has written the courses
  • ICorr has qualified them
  • IMechE Argyll Ruane is delivering the training globally

After delays caused by Covid, the PFP training courses are now in full swing, and being offered in a variety of training delivery solutions around the world.

Global training options to suit you

Understanding both the need for this specialized training and the challenges for individuals and groups to receive it, the PFP courses have been developed and adapted to suit individual needs in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Course delivery includes the following:

  • PFP Level 2 courses are now running in India and China
  • There are two PFP level 3 courses planned in Australia in April, and others expected through the Australasia Region to follow the Operators’ lead
  • A PFP Level 3 course will soon be delivered in the Netherlands

Learning methods available include:

Inspector Level 2

The PFP L2 Inspector course is designed as an online or classroom course and can be adapted to be delivered as a combination.

Inspector Level 3

The PFP L3 Inspector course has been adapted to provide a blended learning experience with around 30-40 hours’ online learning, and three days of classroom, followed by a Peer Review within 28 days.

Do you require PFP training/accreditation?

These unique courses are designed to qualify inspectors of epoxy intumescent coatings, with a cementitious PFP course to follow shortly. The course and qualification will evidence your competence to understand and inspect PFP installations in both new and retrofit installations.

Owner operators should also attend these courses, as there will be a need to build the course into specifications, and thus make certain that PFP is fully considered, and that the design and application of PFP meets standards and best-practice requirements as they evolve and improve.

Fabricators/applicators will also benefit from the course, as they will need to have fully trained inspectors. And, of course, inspectors who work for inspection houses will also need to be qualified to meet the market requirement.

To learn more about the PFP courses, and how you can register for your preferred learning style and availability, contact either John Dunk at PFPNet or David Mobbs at ICorr.

Delivering a Coating Inspector Course and Internationally Recognised Coating Inspector Qualification

Delivering a Coating Inspector Course and Internationally Recognised Coating Inspector Qualification

Blogs, Coating and Inspection Training

ICorr and ABRACO Collaborate on Equivalence for Coating Inspectors

The Institute of Corrosion and ABRACO have now reached a major milestone in a collaboration that stretches back to May 2018. Coating inspectors who have qualified in Brazil as ABRACO Paint Inspector Level 1 can now take a conversion module and gain the internationally recognised coating inspector qualification as ICorr Coating Inspector Level 2.

This is a huge step in developing closer ties between ABRACO and ICorr, and a partnership that will go beyond technical recognition. It will help Brazil’s professionals to be immediately recognised as competent for coating inspector jobs on the international stage with the recognition of an international coating inspector qualification, and help ICorr and its members gain greater exposure and recognition in another of the world’s most important economies.

This is the story of how, together, we unravelled the complexity of developing this conversion model.

Synergic connection in corrosion identified

A meeting between ICorr’s Lucia Fullalove and Florentina (Flor) Melo, and Isaac Catran of ABRACO at the INTERCORR (International Corrosion Congress) in Sao Paulo in May 2018 proved to be the starting block for the ICorr-ABRACO collaboration project.

It was during this meeting that the three realised the synergies between the ICorr and ABRACO, and between the corrosion inspector courses for which both bodies are responsible. The three became excited by the idea of developing these synergies for the benefit of both organisations and their members, and presented the idea to the then President of ABRACO, Professor Paerce de Paula Lunes.

Developing partnership goals

A letter was sent from ABRACO to the then President of ICorr, Sarah Vasey, outlining the proposal and its primary goals:

  1. The promotion of ICorr in Brazil
  2. The recognition by ICorr of Paint Inspectors trained and qualified to ABRACO standards – providing a route to become internationally certified and recognised paint inspectors

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ABRACO and ICorr was agreed and signed by the new presidents of both organisations in 2018 (Dr Gareth Hinds of ICorr and Dr Olga Ferraz of ABRACO).

Coating inspector courses – identifying the gap

To deliver the second of these primary goals, Lucia, Flor, and Isaac set to work on developing equivalence for the certification of coating inspectors.

It became immediately clear that there was a lot of work required. For example, in Brazil, paint inspector certification is divided into two levels, whereas ICorr’s certification model is based on three levels.

Evaluating how to provide equivalence in coating inspector certification

John Fletcher of ICorr was tasked with appraising and evaluating differences between the coating qualifications, and asked to put forward proposals on how the certifications could best be aligned. By December 2019, John had completed his gap analysis. His major findings were that:

  • The ABRACO Level 1 Paint Inspector course content addressed most of the content of the ICorr Coating Inspector Levels 1 and 2
  • There was a shortfall in Health and Safety, and in the International Maritime Organisation ballast tank coating regulations

John’s proposal was for equivalence to be achieved by developing and introducing a conversion module for ABRACO’s Level 1 qualified paint inspectors to ICorr’s Level 2 certification.

Mapping standards for coating inspector training

In 2020, and armed with John Fletcher’s findings, Lucia, Flor, and Isaac carried out a mapping exercise between the relevant Brazilian and international standards.

This work was crucial to help ICorr become acquainted more fully with the differences between the two programmes, and to understand that Brazilian paint inspectors have the level of work practices that is equivalent to their international counterparts, despite working to local standards.

In Brazil, health and safety activities are conducted by a Health and Safety qualified engineer and a Safety Medical professional. Further, corrosion protection professionals in Brazil must follow technical standards that are supported in the country’s laws – even down to how paint containers are stacked in storage.

With a better understanding of these key differences, work could begin on creating the conversion model.

Creating the conversion module

Even with the differences identified, it’s no mean feat to deliver a conversion module. The module must be created, exam questions written, everything reviewed, and all translated into Portuguese for delivery in Brazil. Fortunately, ICorr had Kevin Harold to compose the conversion module and exam questions.

With the work completed and the conversion course uploaded to the IMechE Learning Management System, Brazilian paint inspectors can now take the conversion module, sit an online exam, and, if successful, have their ABRACO L1 Paint Inspector certification confirmed as ICorr L2 Coating Inspector.

Watch this space!

The collaboration between ABRACO and the Institute of Corrosion is beginning to bear fruit.

The delivery of the conversion course from ABRACO Paint Inspector Level 1 to ICorr Coating Inspector Level 2 is only the start. This demonstrates the ability of ICorr and its membership of experienced corrosion experts to collaborate and work effectively towards collective goals – even in the toughest of global environments.

Like so much else around the world, our plans have been hampered by the Covid pandemic, but we’re now on track to accelerate the ICorr/ABRACO alliance, developing areas for growth in Brazil and enabling more Brazilian corrosion professionals to become internationally recognised for their expertise.

Watch this space for more news soon. In the meantime, to learn more about the Coating Inspector Conversion Module, please contact John Fletcher by email at info@corrodere.com.

 

Meet the Corrosion Specialist – This Month, Lucia Fullalove

Meet the Corrosion Specialist – This Month, Lucia Fullalove

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11 Questions in 11 Minutes

This month, we’re showcasing Lucia Fullalove FICorr MSc BSc. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Lucia is now Director of Fullalove & Associates Consultancy, working in industries such as civil construction, petrochemical, and automotive.

Here are the 11 questions we posed in the 11 minutes we took of Lucia’s valuable time.

1.     What did you aspire to be when you were younger?

From the time I could talk, I wanted to be a medical doctor, but I ended up studying Chemical Engineering at Rio de Janeiro State University. Half of the class of 40 were women.

2.     So, how did you end up as a corrosion specialist?

After graduating, I was torn between doing a master’s degree or getting a job. The lack of money won, and I started as a Quality Control and Process Control Engineer in a composite manufacturing plant. Immediately, I was working in corrosion.

In my second job as a quality control engineer at another manufacturing plant, my work became more varied and challenging. I had to learn and be responsible for the quality of various surface treatment processes, such as paint, hot dip galvanising, electroplating, and anodizing. I was also responsible for training other quality inspectors.

Why study corrosion? Coming from Brazil to rainy Manchester and salt on roads… never be out of work!

3.     What were those first jobs like?

Stressful work, but never boring!

In my first job, I had to travel three hours to work, and three hours back. The people, and some of the challenges I faced, made it all worth it.

Those challenges ranged from getting over initial perceptions of me (I looked young for my age, so the foreman and production workers often assumed I lacked knowledge), to dealing with a snake I found in a toilet!

4.     What made you move to the UK?

Love! In 1983, I married a British engineer. I’d met him working in a train depot in Rio. The rest, as they say, is history.

5.     How did you find the transition from Brazil to the UK?

In many ways, difficult.

When I arrived in the UK, my first thoughts were that I had come to the country where the industrial revolution happened. I remember thinking that this must be the promised land for all engineers.

To have my degree recognised here, I needed to complete an MSc in Corrosion Science, which I gained in 1984 at the University of Manchester. I was stunned to find that there were only three women in my class of 40. I quickly learned why. The industry was dominated by men.

It took me eight months and 800 letters to get my first job here. Some of the responses I received mentioned how engineering was a ‘dirty profession’ and not suited to women! I can tell you, I had to keep my Latin temperament in check.

Eventually, though, I landed a great position as Process Engineer at Lotus in Norfolk.

From there, I became the first fully qualified female engineer at Rolls Royce Cars, where I worked at Rolls Royce as a Research and Development Engineer, then as a Coatings Specialist at an industrial corrosion consultancy. Eventually, I joined the Highways Agency. While there, I helped to instigate the Institute of Corrosion Industrial Coating Applicator Training Scheme (ICATS).

6.     What career advice would you give to a young corrosion specialist?

Choosing engineering is still not an easy option for women. I’ve faced prejudices along the way. Nevertheless, I have had a productive, enjoyable, and fulfilling career. If I had to start again, I wouldn’t change a thing. Go for it, and never give up – and have fun along the way. Four key pieces of advice I would give to all today are:

  1. Sometimes it’s good to be bossy ─ if your intentions come from a place of expertise.
  2. Walk through floors and talk to people. Help them understand the ‘why’ of what they are doing, and engage them in the process of corrosion protection.
  3. You want to be respected? Then respect others first – give and you will receive.
  4. Take the initiative to train people. Give lessons in what people are doing and teach others about corrosion.

7.     What is in store for corrosion professionals?

I have experienced many challenges during my career. These include cultural change, working in a foreign language, and gaining acceptance as a female engineer in a field that is still predominantly male.

I hope, and feel, that some of these prejudices are now being overcome, and I think that more women will enter the industry.

8.     What have you gained from your membership of ICorr?

This is easy to answer. The more active you are within the Institute, the more you’ll get out of it. My membership of ICorr has helped me to develop my professional network, provided me with learning opportunities, given me chances to help to train others, and to help improve corrosion knowledge in multiple industries around the world.

Let’s get personal with the corrosion professional!

We know that corrosion scientists aren’t all work and no play, so we asked Lucia three final questions to learn a little more about her personally.

9.     What’s your favourite food?

I have a very eclectic taste in food, and there isn’t much that I don’t enjoy. But my favourite foods must be French, Portuguese, and Spanish: I adore Mediterranean tastes and seafood. Oh, and red wine with almost everything!

10. What do you like doing most outside of your professional life?

When I’m away from my day job, I work as a volunteer as a STEM ambassador to encourage youngsters to take up engineering. I think it’s important to pass on knowledge and experience to the younger generation.

To take myself away from my work and the science world, I walk a lot. This gets me into nature and helps me relax, as does reading different things.

11. Tell us a secret about yourself, something that might surprise fellow members (and something we can print!)

Here are two things that may surprise you.

First, I’m a Reiki Master. I’ve had to find ways to destress and relax, and Reiki has proved to be invaluable to me. As a Reiki Master, I help others achieve the relaxation that improves energetic balance and supports healing.

Second, before I could read or write, I learned music. In Brazil, music is taught by colour. I used to play the accordion. Perhaps I should take it up again…

What do you want to ask a corrosion specialist?

Now, over to you. Let us know what you’d like us to ask the next ICorr member we put in the hotseat for 11 questions in 11 minutes. Send us an email, and we’ll try to include your question.