Industry News
Brookes Bell, the multi-disciplinary technical and scientific consultancy for the marine and energy sectors, has received the Technology and Innovation Award from the Mersey Maritime Industry Awards (MMIA) for its Corrosion Assessment Service for the maritime sector.
The Liverpool-based company received the honour on 2 November during a ceremony at the prestigious Liverpool Cathedral. The award, which was sponsored by The Manufacturing Technology Centre, recognised Brookes Bell’s Corrosion Assessment Service, officially known as CMAP, as a crucial innovation that improves vessel owners’ awareness of onboard corrosion issues, enabling them to understand the required repairs ahead of time before the effects of corrosion become too severe or result in significant lay-up time.
CMAP, which is offered by The Lab at Brookes Bell, uses a highly refined Pulsed Eddy Current Array (PECA) inspection technique, combined with Brookes Bell’s 3D data visualisation software, to create an overview of the condition of a vessel’s steel, remaining wall thickness and material loss.
According to the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the collective global cost of corrosion to shipowners is estimated to be as high as $80 billion.
Earlier this year, Brookes Bell received official accreditation for its CMAP service on naval and commercial vessels from Lloyd’s Register classification society. The technology was tested and honed on the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates, landing platform docks, several Ro-Pax ferries and superyachts in the commercial sector to enable Brookes Bell to develop a more comprehensive understanding of corrosion assessment.
The Mersey Maritime Industry Awards celebrate the strength and diversity of the maritime industry in the northwest of England, and recognise the world-class standards upheld in the region as a global maritime centre of excellence. Source: Brookes Bell Press Release
Mersey Maritime Industry Awards (MMIA).
Institute News
The Fourth of the Series of YEP-AMPP Journals, by Lee Hunter, Newly Promoted to Commercial Manager at AIM Group
Introduction
I recently had the opportunity to attend the EMERG Leadership programme and the AMPP conference in Denver, Colorado, representing the Institute of Corrosion. Being a part of the successful team for the Young Engineer Program 2023, which was sponsored by bp and was given the incredible opportunity to attend these events.
The EMERG Leadership programme provided me with an excellent platform to enhance my leadership skills and knowledge, and I had the opportunity to interact with other industry leaders and professionals. The AMPP conference was also an incredible experience, where I gained valuable insights into the latest trends and innovations in the corrosion and asset integrity industry.
As a result of my participation in the programme, I was able to network with industry leaders and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the coatings and corrosion industry. This experience has been invaluable in my professional development, and I was excited to continue my learning journey by attending the AMPP Conference and connecting with like-minded professionals in the industry.
EMERG Leadership Training
As an emerging leader myself in the field of coatings and corrosion, I was thrilled to attend the EMERG leadership programme.
One of the highlights of the session was the opportunity to connect with other emerging leaders in the industry. We were divided into small groups to discuss our own experiences with emotional intelligence and to share strategies for developing our skills. It was inspiring to hear from others about their challenges and successes in developing their emotional intelligence, and I felt energised and motivated by the shared sense of purpose and dedication to leadership development.
EMERG provided valuable insights into the practical skills and traits necessary for effective leadership in the coatings and corrosion industry. The emphasis on emotional intelligence was particularly valuable, as it highlighted the importance of self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication in building strong relationships with others. I left the session feeling more confident and better equipped to lead my team towards success, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from and connect with other emerging leaders in the industry.
AMPP Conference Denver
Day 1
I then had the pleasure of attending the AMPP (Association for Materials Protection and Performance) conference in Denver, and I must say it was an eye-opening experience. The conference brought together professionals from various fields, including corrosion and coatings, to discuss the latest advancements in the industry.
On the first day of the conference, I attended a Coatings 101 seminar.
During the seminar, we learned about the importance of coatings in protecting metals from corrosion, wear and tear, and other environmental factors that can damage their surfaces. We also learned about the various testing methods used to evaluate the performance of coatings, including visual inspections, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
After the Coatings 101 seminar, I attended an interactive workshop that was an excellent opportunity for me to learn about the different types of coating inspection instruments available and their uses in the industry. We discussed the importance of using the correct instrument for a particular coating, as different coatings require different inspection methods. For example, adhesion testers are used to evaluate the adhesion of coatings to substrates, while surface profile gauges are used to measure the roughness of a surface. Overall, the first day of the AMPP conference was an excellent start to the event. The Coatings 101 seminar and the interactive workshop on coating inspection instruments provided me with a solid foundation of knowledge on coatings, their applications, and testing methods. I left the event feeling inspired and eager to learn more about the coatings industry.
Day 2
On day two of the conference, I had the opportunity to attend a series of informative seminars and attend the opening ceremony of the exhibitor hall. Here is a summary of my experience: The first seminar I attended on day two was on corrosion under insulation (CUI).
During the seminar, I learned about the various factors that contribute to CUI, including the type of insulation used, the operating temperature of the equipment, and the presence of moisture. We discussed how to identify and assess the severity of CUI, as well as the different methods of preventing and mitigating it, including protective coatings and insulation removal and replacement.
Next, I attended a seminar on materials and the cost of corrosion. The seminar focused on the economic impact of corrosion on industry, the different types of corrosion-resistant materials available, and how to select the right material for a particular application. The seminar was led by a materials expert who provided valuable insights into the selection and specification of materials in industry.
After attending the seminars, I made my way to the exhibition hall opening ceremony. The exhibition hall was filled with representatives from coatings and corrosion companies, equipment manufacturers, and service providers, all showcasing their latest products and services. I was impressed by the diversity of the exhibitors and the range of products and services they offered. From coatings and corrosion protection solutions to equipment and instrumentation, the exhibitor hall had something for everyone. I had the opportunity to speak with representatives from various companies and learn about their latest products and services. I also networked with other attendees and exchanged ideas and experiences with them.
Day 3
On the third day of the AMPP conference, I attended several seminars covering a range of topics related to coatings and corrosion. Here’s a recap of my experience: The first seminar I attended was on selecting and managing coating inspectors. The seminar focused on the importance of selecting the right inspector for a particular job, and the key qualities to look for in a coating inspector. The seminar was led by an experienced inspector who shared his insights on the selection and management of coating inspectors.
During the seminar, we learned about the different types of coating inspectors, including AMPP-certified inspectors, and the various criteria that should be considered when selecting an inspector, such as experience, qualifications, and availability. We also discussed the importance of effective communication between the inspector and other stakeholders, such as the contractor and the client.
The second seminar I attended was on the implementation of a corrosion management system in a gold mine based within the Arctic Circle. The seminar focused on the unique challenges of implementing a corrosion management system in a harsh, remote environment, and the strategies and best practices for overcoming these challenges. The seminar was led by a corrosion expert who shared his experiences and insights on the successful implementation of a corrosion management system. The final seminar I attended was on marine coatings and corrosion. The seminar focused on the challenges of protecting marine structures and vessels from corrosion, and the various types of coatings and protection systems available. The seminar was led by a coatings expert who shared his experiences and insights on marine coatings and corrosion protection.
During the seminar, we learned about the various types of marine structures and vessels, and the specific challenges they face in terms of corrosion. We also discussed the different types of coatings and protection systems available, including anti-fouling coatings, cathodic protection, and sacrificial anodes. The seminar provided valuable insights into the selection and application of coatings and protection systems for marine applications.
Awards Ceremony I had the pleasure of attending the EMERG scholarship awards ceremony during the conference, where my fellow ICorr YEP 2022 winners and I were presented with awards for winning the program. It was an incredible experience to be recognised for our efforts and achievements in the coatings and corrosion industry. I was also thrilled to see other award winners being recognised for their significant achievements in their respective fields of study.
The event was only made possible by the generous sponsorship of bp, and I am grateful for their support in recognising the hard work and dedication of emerging professionals in the industry. The evening of entertainment and networking that followed the ceremony was a great opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals and learn from their experiences. Overall, it was a truly memorable event, and I feel privileged to have been a part of it.
Day 4
On the fourth and final day of the AMPP conference, I attended two seminars covering a range of topics related to coatings and corrosion.
Here is a recap of my experience:
During the seminar, we learned about the specific challenges faced by the pipeline due to the presence of the HVDC power line, including interference with the pipeline’s cathodic protection system. We also discussed the various field-testing procedures that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the cathodic protection system, including potential measurements and current density mapping. The seminar provided valuable insights into the practical aspects of field testing on a metallic pipeline collocated with a HVDC power line.
The second seminar I attended was on finding the smoking gun: lessons learned from a HDD coating challenge. The seminar focused on a case study involving a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) project, where a coating failure occurred, and the lessons learned from this challenge.
The seminar was led by a coatings expert who shared his experiences and insights on coating failures and the importance of identifying the root cause.
During the seminar, we learned about the specific challenges faced by the HDD project, including the difficulty of coating the pipeline in a challenging environment. We also discussed the various factors that can contribute to coating failures, such as poor surface preparation, inadequate application procedures, and environmental factors. The seminar provided valuable insights into the importance of identifying the root cause of a coating failure, and the strategies and best practices for preventing similar failures in the future.
Overall, I left the conference feeling greatly inspired and motivated to apply the knowledge and insights I had gained to my work, and I look forward to attending future AMPP conferences.
Links:
The Young Engineer Programme 2024
INSTITUTE OF CORROSION – For details of the 2024 YEP Programme.
EMERG Student Outreach Program – AMPP
https://ace.ampp.org/about
AMPP: Association for Materials Protection and Performance
https://www.aimgrp.co.uk/
Lee Hunter Commercial Manager at AIM Group – Providing Turnkey engineering services in design engineering, fabrication, construction, industrial services, and asset integrity.
With Tim Bieri – BP sponsor at the EMERG scholarship awards ceremony.
Institute News
On 15th November 2023 and on behalf of the Institute, Dr Yunnan Gao, Vice President of ICorr and Brenda Peters, (past ICorr President and Council Member) attended the Celebration of Science Event, combined with its annual Prizegiving Celebrations organised by the Science Council and held at Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum.
With around 80 attendees, we felt privileged to be part of this event to celebrate the achievements of CPD Award winners, recognise volunteer contributions and applaud apprentices and their journey.
A highlight of these celebrations was an opportunity to meet with the newly appointed Chief Executive of the Science Council, Profession Della Freeth, and express ICorr’s continuous dedicated support to collaborate with the Science Council to bring the utmost benefits to both sides—to ICorr existing members and the whole science community.
From the keynote talk given by Dr. Becky Smethurst, who is an astrophysicist, author, science communicator, and Royal Astronomical Society Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, they learned a unique perspective on combining being a science communicator with being an active researcher. Other presenters included Tom Cheek (Apprenticeship Programme Manager), Adam Donnan (Board of Trustees), and Jane Banks (External Relationships Manager).
Following the awards and presentations, they used the opportunity at the networking reception to connect with fellow registrants from across the science disciplines, as well as individuals from the professional body community, industry, academia, and government.
Note: ICorr is licenced by the Science Council to award Chartered Scientist (CSci), and many professionals working in the industry have achieved CSci through ICorr.
• Details of all Award winners may be found at: www.sciencecouncil.org/blog/2023/11/15/celebration-of-science-2023-announcement/
• To find out more about future events held by the Science Council and its professional body Members see their website: www.sciencecouncil.org/news-blog-events/
Chartered Scientist Awards.
CAPTION:
Brenda Peters (ICorr past president and ICorr Science Council representative) with Science Council Chief Executive Professor Della Freeth and Dr Yunnan Gao (ICorr Vice President).
Institute News
On 1st November 2023 the Institute held its first in-person AGM since 2021, due to the prevailing COVID pandemic. We were hosted by the Birmingham Science Museum (Thinktank). ICorr greatly appreciates all those who travelled to help make the event a success and, of course, offers its thanks to the staff of Thinktank, that provided some magnificent catering on the day.
In support of the AGM, the Midlands Branch organised a very well received, multi-subject corrosion awareness event covering automated CUI monitoring case studies, corrosion control solutions for reinforced concrete and steel, holistic corrosion data management and recent advances in NDT and corrosion training by our key training partners Corrodere and IMechE. This followed on from a similar successful mini-conference held by the Midlands Branch in February 2023 at the Birmingham Council Chambers.
Our keynote speaker was Ryan Finlayson, discussing Holistic Data Management. The founder of Rysco Corrosion Services Inc. and the Rysco Group of Companies, a corrosion-focused set of businesses with international operations, services, and manufacturing. From their humble beginnings, working from his garage in 2007, Ryan and his growing team have continued to pursue technical innovation and value-added solutions for all their worldwide clients. Prior to Rysco Corrosion, Ryan worked for 7 years with Baker Hughes in their production chemistry division, learning about applied field techniques for many applications, including corrosion prevention. These experiences helped him prepare the solid foundations of Rysco by placing an emphasis on the importance of continuing education, knowledge sharing, and employee development.
Rysco are a long-time contributor to international corrosion associations, and champions these to evolve and improve the corrosion industry. With a formal education in engineering and business, Ryan is a promoter of skill acquisition within his companies and a firm believer that supporting educational initiatives build strength. The company recently hosted the Aberdeen Corrosion Awareness Event in August 2023, attended by more than 50 delegates.
Prafull Sharma then spoke to us on Automated CUI Monitoring Case Studies with examples from around the Globe, including UK upstream and downstream applications. Prafull is an inventor and the Chief Technology Officer of Corrosion Radar, with core expertise in Industry 4.0, Industrial IOT, Predictive Analytics and Sensing Technologies. Prafull obtained his PhD from Cranfield University UK. He has over fifteen years’ experience in industrial automation and sensing technology development, particularly for the Energy, Aviation and Chemical industry. He is also credited with over fifteen international patents and innovations. Corrosion Radar’s sensor technologies are now being widely adopted with support funding from Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures (SAEV) and NZTC (formerly OGTC – Oil and Gas Technology Centre) in the UK.
Christian Stone later joined us from Concrete Preservation Technologies (CP Tech).
Christian’s time has focused on the research and development of Corrosion Management Systems, working on surveying and corrosion in RAAC as a part of the University of Loughborough RAAC Research Team, and supporting teams all over the world to manage the corrosion risks of their structures. Christian has published on many aspects of corrosion and leads research to support the NHS in their issues with corrosion in RAAC.
His most informative talk focused on concrete repairs using galvanic anodes, consideration of their performance, and acceptance in reference to MCHW 5700 (Specification for Highway Works), and in particular, understanding the science around patch repairs.
In the afternoon, it was the turn of our two key external training partners – Corrodere and IMechE to update us on their recent activities. Both organisations have long-term relationships with ICorr and provide training to many hundreds of applicants every year, leading to formal certification by ICorr assessors following periods of industrial experience.
Lucy gave a great insight into the world of a training partner and how it interfaces with industry, the community, prospective course attendees, and its relationship with ICorr, particularly with regard to online training provision, which has grown enormously with the COVID pandemic. Lucy has worked with the Corrodere Academy for many years and is involved with its daily operations, development, and global growth.
She was instrumental in the expansion of the Train the Painter’ programme around the world.
Dale from IMechE then closed our AGM technical programme with a very informative talk on recent advances in corrosion and NDT training, describing their excellent classroom teaching facilities at their Sheffield and Fife operations. IMechE now provides NDT and coatings training, examinations, and NDT consultancy services around the world.
As ICorr Manager, he now supports all ICorr-related training development, providing secure IT systems for their new online training options and their day-to-day training centre operations. Dale is a driven and passionate individual who is keen to ensure training-related projects are delivered on schedule and within agreed budgets. He has been working closely with ICorr since 2020, with his involvement ramping up in 2021 and 2022, leading to him taking on the ICorr Manager role earlier this year from Chris Kirby, (now a Business Coach and Strategic Business Developer at REBLADE of Denmark).
Each year, the Institute of Corrosion bestows a range of internationally renowned awards in recognition of excellence in corrosion science and engineering and to reward outstanding service to the Institute and the wider corrosion community. Our Institute was extremely proud to announce the selection of Trevor Osborne FICorr (Hon), NACE Corrosion Specialist, for this year’s H.G. Cole Award and presented at the AGM. The most prestigious award is made in recognition of exceptional services to the development of the institute.
It is only awarded on an occasional basis, reflecting the highest possible level of commitment of the recipient to the activities of the institute. The inaugural H.G. Cole Award (in the form of a poignard) was presented to Charles Booker in 1997 by Gwen Cole (wife of the late Henry Cole) in recognition of his many years of service as Honorary Secretary of the Institute. The modern form of the award is a plaque whose design captures the essence of the original poignard. Trevor is a Past President of the Institute of Corrosion and long-standing Chair of the Board of its commercial arm, Correx Ltd. He is Managing Director of Deepwater Corrosion Services (UK) Ltd and has worked in the Energy Industry for over 43 years, with very wide experience of corrosion control and project execution.The institute offers its sincere congratulations to Trevor on this magnificent achievement.
Following some excellent presentations and the awards ceremony, the day’s events closed with our formal institute AGM presented by current President Stephen Tate along with George Winning, our new ICorr Treasurer.
This part of the days programme included a detailed update of our account’s status, along with the latest updates to our re-organisation and growth plans, to be presented formally to ICorr Council in February 2024.
Our congratulations were also offered to our Lionel Shreir, Paul McIntyre and U. R. Evans Award winners for 2023, along with our thanks for special contributions made to the Institute by: Bill Hedges, Brian Goldie, David Harvey, Gareth Hinds and Tony Collins – Council Members who have all offered exceptional service and helped make it an outstanding year in terms of taking the Institute forward to the next phase of its development both internationally and within the UK.
Full details of all proceedings, discussions, and votes taken may be found in the ICorr Website Members Area at: www.icorr.org/members-area/
Thanks to all for supporting this unique event in the institute’s calendar. The relaunched Midlands Branch is planning further technical meetings for later in the session. We are pleased to welcome Prafull Sharma to this committee. For other general inquiries about events or supporting the branch, please feel free to get in touch with Bill Whittaker, Midlands Chair, at midlandschair@icorr.org
All the AGM + Feb. 23 Mini-Conference technical presentations may be found at: www.icorr.org/midlands/ please scroll down to Local Technical Programme – 2023 Presentations.
CAPTIONS:
Midlands Chair Bill Whittaker and CPSM introducing the Conference and ICorr AGM.
Speaker 1 – Ryan Finlayson, CEO & President, Rysco Corrosion Services, Alberta, Canada.
Speaker 2 – Prafull Sharma Inventor and the Chief Technology Officer of Corrosion Radar.
Speaker 3 – Christian Stone, technical consultant, Concrete Preservation Technologies.
Speaker 4 – Lucy Pavia, Commercial Director of Corrodere.
Speaker 5 – Dale O’Reilly, ICorr Manager & Business Systems Manager of IMechE.
Speaker 6 – Stephen Tate, ICorr President.
Speaker 7 – George Winning, new ICorr treasurer.
H. G. Cole Award to Trevor Osborne at AGM with President Stephen Tate.
Industry News
The Beginning
UK National Women in Engineering Day held annually on June 23rd, a movement started by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) the forerunner to International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), and first took place in the UK in 2014. The objective behind this WES initiative was to raise the profile of women in engineering. The day gained support from UNESCO two years later, raising awareness on a global scale. Finally, in 2017, the day was celebrated on an international level for the first time. The day was first observed internationally in 2017 – a day that honours and celebrates the tenacious efforts made by female engineers.
Objectives
The main goals of the day are to raise awareness and promote female participation in the engineering field. INWED recognises importance of female engineering pioneers, who are frequently overlooked. The awareness campaigns are to equip young girls with boundless opportunities to help them carve a niche for themselves. INWED also gives a platform to conduct outreach programmes with younger generations and early career professionals. The initiative has listed 40 UK-based events, with many more occurring elsewhere, to deliver and support learning sessions.
Theme
This year will mark the 10th celebration of International Women in Engineering Day. Every year the day is attributed to different themes and INWED 2023 theme is ‘Make Safety Seen’ to highlight how female engineers have broken through barriers in creating technology for a safe future. It also serves as a platform to discuss the actions that can be taken to ensure a safe personal environment for female engineers to work in.
INWED 23 Celebrations and Awards
Various events, including webinars, podcasts, award ceremonies, and tours, were held to mark INWED 23 by businesses, organisations, and educational institutions. Several INWED 2023 events are listed on following website: https://www.inwed.org.uk/events/
A new free gallery at London’s Science Museum was opened to public on Friday 23rd June. The gallery will explore how engineers
change the world.
RWE, the UK’s electricity generator celebrated International Women in Engineering Day by hosting a tour of the largest wind farm in
Welsh waters.
CORROSION journal hosted a podcast in which Dr Jen Locke, from The Ohio State University, and Dr Erin Karasz, from Sandia National Laboratories, discussed their careers in materials science and engineering.
Women Engineers Making News
Sharon Harte of Dacrylate Paints was elected President of British Coatings Federation (BCF). Sharon taking over from Guy Williams and becomes the first female President of the BCF – or its predecessor organisations – in its 111-year history. For the 2023 British Coatings Federation (BCF) Annual Conference, more than 150 top business leaders and decision-makers from the UK’s paints, coatings and printing ink industries gathered in Derby.
Within the Transport sector, Kris Kinnear, capital delivery director at Network Rail recently commented:
“As an industry, we are keen to encourage more young women and girls to get involved in engineering opportunities and careers. Visits such as these support our platform of diversity and inclusion, and help us to promote the role and contribution female engineers play in the industry on a daily basis.
“As an industry, we are keen to encourage more young women and girls to get involved in engineering opportunities and careers. Visits such as these support our platform of diversity and inclusion, and help us to promote the role and contribution female engineers play in the industry on a daily basis.
“It’s great to see the work of female engineers being acknowledged finally.”
Amongst our younger Corrosion Members, Claudia Martinez Pinon from Corrosion Radar is an excellent example of someone who has excelled within her role in our Industry. Graduating from Universidad de Oviedo with BSc (Hons) in Industrial Chemical Engineering and Specialization in Environmental Engineering and Sustainability, she joined Corrosion Radar (CUI Sensor specialists) in May 2019 and has since gone onto develop a very wide skill set in Corrosion Management areas – Algorithm Development, Risk Management, Risk Analysis, Risk Assessment, Project Management, Research and Development (R&D), Data Analysis and Experimental Design.
See also: https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/levenmouth-offers-a-platform-for-women-in-engineering
Within our own Institute of Corrosion, Dr Jane Lomas regularly delivers our Fundamentals of Corrosion Engineering (FOCE) course. Attendees on the course are given a wide-ranging introduction to all major aspects of corrosion engineering.
Successful completion of the course and the associated examination is required for obtaining Professional Membership of ICorr for those without either formal qualifications in corrosion or the relevant field experience. The course is based very much on practical information with hands-on examples as well as relevant background theory.
The next FOCE Course dates are week commencing: 13 – 17th November 2023 to be held at Northampton
INSET:
Dr Jane Lomas, ICorr Trustee and Honorary Secretary
More information on INWED 23 can be obtained from: inwed.org.uk
Upcoming issues of Corrosion Management will include articles about women in the corrosion community and highlight their career journey. These articles will discuss the motivation for their careers, the benefits of diversity and inclusion to the field, and challenges they have experienced, as well as their advice to young corrosion professionals.
