DERA's pipe coupling technology reduces costs

Citation

(2000), "DERA's pipe coupling technology reduces costs", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 52 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.2000.01852dad.001

DERA's pipe coupling technology reduces costs

DERA's pipe coupling technology reduces costs

Keywords: DERA, Pipes, Couplers

DERA (The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency) has developed a fully tested fail-safe prototype system in fluid-filled pipe systems, which combats noise and vibration and controls structural fatigue (see Plate 1). Originally intended for cooling pipes of ships' diesel engines, DERA's Active Vibration Control Pipe Coupling Technology (AVCPCT) can be applied to all critical pipework systems including those found on offshore production facilities and in oil refining, gas processing, petrochemical and most manufacturing plants. Despite a history of increasing costs associated with noise, vibration and fatigue problems, there has until now been no complete technical solution.

Plate 1DERA'S pipe coupling technology for fluid filled pipe systems

The AVCPCT, which has international patent protection, represents a new generation of active control that reduces transmission noise and vibration, minimises fatigue failure and gives lifetime cost benefits. DERA, Europe's leading Research and Development organisation, provides technical support.

It is well-known that active vibration control is much more effective than conventional passive systems and so applying this technology to pipe systems is an exciting prospect. DERA's system is designed to make substantial improvements over conventional passive couplers in the transmission of noise-generating vibrations in pipe systems, and, in the unlikely event of the active controller losing power, the fail-safe prototype pipe coupling system will continue to allow product flow.

DERA is now seeking potential partners for the system's further development and international commercial exploitation. This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a significant and patented new technology in a valuable niche sector of the vibration control market.

For further information please contact Dr Ronnie Leung. Tel: +44 (0)23 9233 5094; Fax:'+44 (0)23 9233 5015; Email: rcleung@dera.gov.uk