F023: Data Collection, High Frequency, and Post Welding Heat Treatment

There has been a notable shift towards enhanced equipment connectivity and greater emphasis on data collection and analysis, including the tube and pipe industry. HF welding requires precise control of various process parameters such as power, frequency, weld area geometry, impeder, and raw material. It is crucial to closely monitor these parameters and know their effects on the quality of the weld. Once the process has been validated through product performance testing, it is essential to have a good data collection system, paired with process control and automation in place that can deliver reproducible results. This presentation aims to help operators maximize the efficiency of their tube and pipe welding process by utilizing the latest tools. This includes precise process control, collecting and analyzing process data, Condition-based monitoring (CBM), and implementing technology-driven automated methods. This presentation also covers the infrastructure changes and data management strategies for implementing IIoT-enabled HF welders.

HF welding relies on precise weld heat input to weld advanced steel chemistries and emerging ferrous and non-ferrous materials. The focus of this presentation is to provide an understanding of energy efficiency in HF induction welding. Optimizing HF welding energy efficiency is a key criterion for process efficiency and is one element of reducing carbon footprint. This webinar defines what power is and compares it to energy use. The power delivered and used in HF welding will be reviewed, starting with the basics of rating a power supply. The importance of calorimetric calibration will be explained along with the main differences between power source efficiency and HF welding process efficiency. Participants will also learn about the factors that affect the efficiency of the HF welding process and how to optimize it

As steel chemistries have become more complex in pursuit of higher-performance materials, Induction Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) of HF Welds has become more critical. Most API® and IOGP® specified tubular products intended for use in oil and gas gathering and transmission applications are subjected to some PWHT process. With advances in micro-alloyed steel materials over the past ten years, tube producers have faced challenges associated with increasing use of manganese in advanced high strength steels. There has been an increased demand for Normalizing, Quenching, and Tempering (NQT) processing of HF Welded tube and pipe to improve the Weld Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) charpy impact performance. Attendees will learn the fundamentals of the quench and temper heat treatment process and will understand the proper design aspects of inline HF Weld Seam induction heat treating. An in-depth review of Charpy impact testing will also be presented.