Current Projects

Coordinator at LABSOLDA: Régis Henrique Gonçalves e Silva
Managing Institution: FEESC

External Resources
Companies: PETROBRAS
Total project value: R$ 5,594,964.94
Start: 04/26/2024 – 04/25/2027
Duration: 36 months

Entities Involved
UFSC / LABSOLDA

Presentation

Pipeline construction works present great difficulty in executing welds that combine quality and productivity. This is largely due to the dependence on welders, lack of training, knowledge and skill with modern processes, and lack of repeatability. Faced with this problem, derivative and mechanized welding processes have gained strength. However, there is still a lack of an overview of the available options, as well as flexible/customizable technological innovations, and national technological domain. The main objective of the project is the expansion of know-how and the viable, reliable implementation of technologies for welding automation in the construction of onshore pipelines. The aim is an action directed towards the field applicability of the technologies, a factor that converges with the modus operandi of LABSOLDA-UFSC, which has in Orbital Welding one of its most fruitful R&D lines (academic and technological productions). The objective is based on three main pillars. Firstly, there is the mapping of the state-of-the-art in orbital welding technologies, via technical-scientific literature, trade fairs, visits, and practical tests with market companies, with surveys of quality, stability, and productivity. In addition, mechanical and electronic improvements to the integrated orbital welding system (software, orbital head hardware, welding power source, sensors) are planned, considering robustness in a field environment, whose conditions must be ascertained, as well as usability and ergonomics. The developments will take place on flexible and modular platforms. In this context, work will be done on classic and derivative MIG/MAG and TIG welding processes for specific improvements for orbital welding, including trajectory correction techniques applicable to derivative processes. Computational tools for monitoring and analyzing welding data specific to derivative processes will also be generated. Finally, the goal is the formulation and qualification of welding procedures to be tested in a relevant environment.

AREA / SECTOR OF APPLICATION OF THE RESULTS:
Oil and Natural Gas