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:
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.
