Collaboration between Blueshift
International Materials, Inc., the University
of Strathclyde and the Oil & Gas Innovation Center (OGIC) has helped
to accelerate the development of a new aerogel product with applications
in oil and gas pipelines.
Aerogels are the world's lightest solid materials, composed of up to
99.98% air by volume.
Within the oil and gas industry the development of cleaner and more
durable aerogel blankets will improve insulation for deep-sea
pipe-in-pipe oil and gas pipelines by reducing installation costs,
improving pipeline compression resistance, reducing the amount of steel
in pipeline constructions, and consequently increasing oil and gas flow
and assurance.
Blueshift, a Texas-based corporation, was founded in October 2013, to
focus on the commercialisation of polymer aerogels for application in
oil and gas; aerospace; radio frequency and radar; automotive and
building materials.
Blueshift’s initial product is AeroZero®,
a polyimide aerogel provided in tough and highly flexible thin films,
semi-flexible wafers and thicker monoliths that are at least 500 times
stronger than conventional silica aerogels. The product’s 100% polymer
construction also produces no dusting, negating the production of
dangerous particulates and resultant dangerous materials handling
protocols.
OGIC provides a single access point to the knowledge and capabilities of
Scottish universities for the oil and gas industry. It part-funds and
provides management support to projects with the potential to deliver
technology solutions to the exploration, production and decommissioning
challenges facing the industry. Key aims for OGIC are to stimulate
knowledge exchange and research activities and to provide an environment
that supports the development of the next generation of business
innovators, academics and entrepreneurs in Scotland.
Blueshift engaged with OGIC to support the development of the polymer
aerogel blanket, and selected the University of Strathclyde as its
academic partner.
The work proposed and executed by Strathclyde focussed on the blanket
design and validation of the selected design. The university proposed a
multi-disciplinary team comprising of experts in composites design,
composites engineering, and materials science. The team utilized an
integrated design-build-test iterative process and carried the project
through proof of concept, processing improvements and material
modification.
Blueshift required fast track delivery and Strathclyde’s
multi-disciplinary, integrated approach accelerated the project.
Blueshift is continuing to work with the University of Strathclyde as
they take this project onto the next phase of development.
Tim Burbey, President of Blueshift, said: “We highly value our
partnership with OGIC and the University of Strathclyde. This
collaboration really supports Blueshift’s drive of getting our polymer
aerogel blanket to market.
“This was Blueshift’s first experience working with a Scottish
University. The team demonstrated an exemplary level of technical
expertise. The well-managed and executed project integrated a
multi-disciplinary approach to solve our challenging material science
issues. We were pleased with the results stemming from the high quality
technical work.
Dr Liu Yang, Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace
Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, said: “Research and design
in super-insulating composites presented a timely opportunity to address
critical challenges faced by the oil & gas industry, who would like to
push the envelope in energy conservation. The promising outcomes from
this initial phase of the project have demonstrated the University of
Strathclyde's continued support, to this industry for new product
development in this area."
Ian Phillips, Chief Executive of OGIC, said: “The success of this
project serves to underline the world class capabilities within Scottish
universities and research institutes which are applicable to oil and gas
technology development. The work carried out to date is fast-tracking a
new product to market and has resulted in an ongoing relationship
between Blueshift and the University of Strathclyde.”
About Blueshift
Blueshift provides best-in-class state of the art LIGHTWEIGHT materials.
Our initial product, AeroZero®, is the first commercially
available Polyimide Aerogel in the world. Its creation derives from
customer demand for a clean, lightweight, small footprint insulation
material.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160201005742/en/
Copyright Business Wire 2016
