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$AAO.ca FOX-TEK’s Electric Field Mapping (EFM) technology monitors pipe walls for internal corrosion

Posted by AGORACOM at 10:52 AM on Thursday, September 7th, 2017

http://www.fox-tek.com/images/fox-tek-logo.gif

It’s highly accurate, it’s non-intrusive, it’s continuous and it goes with the flow.

Electrically speaking, that is.

For the past decade, Electric Field Mapping (EFM) technology—developed by Toronto-based FOX-TEK Canada Inc.—has been helping to keep Enbridge’s pipeline network healthy and fit for purpose by staying “current,” in a manner of speaking.

“If you put your finger in a stream, the water goes around your fingers. And that’s essentially how our EFM technology works,” says Allen Lone, President and CEO at FOX-TEK Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Augusta Industries Inc.

“Based on a continuous EFM monitoring system, we’re measuring the minute changes in electrical current density through a segment of the pipe where our sensor array is mounted,” adds Lone. “If there are any localized changes in the pipe wall—such as metal loss due to corrosion—our EFM system will detect a change in the current density.”

FOX-TEK’s EFM technology, as well as the company’s fiber optic-based optical strain gauges and sensor cable-based leak detection systems, are used all over the world—on anything from tanks and vessels to overpasses and bridges to refineries and electrical towers.

For energy pipelines in particular, EFM is a complementary technology that can be used to supplement a pipeline operator’s inspection and maintenance tactics.

Where a high-tech in-line inspection (ILI) tool has detected a localized area of minor internal corrosion that warrants monitoring, FOX-TEK will install an array of up to 200 wired metal pins, reflecting the size and the shape of the affected area, to monitor changes in the pipe wall’s electrical field.

Significantly, EFM systems are:

  • Built for remote applications, with each pin sensor array fully autonomous through solar-powered battery packs;
  • Continuous, as opposed to monitoring systems that must be manually checked;
  • Non-intrusive, allowing operators to monitor the effectiveness of their pipe cleaning regimens; and
  • Accessible, with wireless data transmission and cloud-based data storage that’s available 24/7 via web-based portals.

Enbridge is continuously looking for opportunities to employ existing technologies, and advance new ones, in the areas of design, construction, operations and maintenance, to keep our pipelines safe.

“Crude oil transmission pipelines are typically at low risk of internal corrosion due to the cleanliness of the transported products, as well as their high flow rates,” says Trevor Place, a senior engineering specialist with Enbridge’s liquids pipelines division. “Nevertheless, over the very long term, there may be periods when accumulated sediment and water have caused corrosion. These locations are easily detected through our in-line inspection programs, and some of these may become suitable for supplemental monitoring using EFM technology.

“Because they’re real-time and continuous,” adds Place, “FOX-TEK monitoring systems are capable of a high level of precision—and they provide validation for our ongoing mitigation activities, like interior cleaning or chemical additives that minimize bacteria and prevent corrosion.”

FOX-TEK’s EFM technology is currently providing continuous monitoring at several locations along Enbridge’s 17,511-mile (28,181-km) North American crude oil and liquids network.

“Because the EFM system is monitoring the actual pipe wall, there really is no better representation of what’s happening inside the pipe,” says Place. “FOX-TEK has been a solid performer for Enbridge for years.”

$AAO.ca Augusta Industries Signs an NDA with Natural Resources Canada and a Term Loan Agreement with the Business Development Bank

Posted by AGORACOM at 3:04 PM on Monday, August 28th, 2017
Augusta Industries
  • (NDA) between Natural Resources Canada’s research laboratory and FOX TEK Canada Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Augusta Industries Inc
  • Allows for evaluation and exploration of confidential information relating to pipeline leak detection technology
  • Augusta subsidiary: Marcon International Inc. (“Marcon”), reached an agreement with the Business Development Bank and Signed a term loan for $250,000.00
Toronto, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – August 28, 2017) – Augusta Industries Inc. (TSXV: AAO) is pleased to announce that a two-way non-disclosure agreement (NDA) was signed between Natural Resources Canada’s CanmetMATERIALS research laboratory and FOX TEK Canada Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Augusta Industries Inc.

The NDA will permit FOX-TEK and CanmetMATERIALS to evaluate and explore confidential information relating to pipeline leak detection technology in order take the next step towards formalizing a collaborative working relationship between the parties.

CanmetMATERIALS conducts applied research, and develops and deploys technologies, to improve all aspects of producing and using value-added products from minerals and metals in collaboration with industry. Natural Resources Canada is the federal government department that seeks to enhance the responsible development and use of Canada’s natural resources and the competitiveness of Canada’s natural resources products.

We have confidence that this is a great stepping stone towards further collaboration between the Corporation and Natural Resources (” Canada”) stated Allen Lone, President of the Corporation.

Augusta Industries Inc is also pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Marcon International Inc. (“Marcon”) has reached an agreement with the Business Development Bank (“Canada”) (“BDC”) and Signed a term loan for $250,000.00 The Loan is to fund future orders and contracts. The Loan is guaranteed by the company’s assets and Allen Lone personally. BDC is a Crown corporation and operates at arm’s length from the sole shareholder, the Government of Canada.

We are pleased with the BDC facility offered and its confidence in Marcon. This will allow the company to finance current and future contracts stated Allen Lone, President of the Corporation.

About the Corporation:

Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Marcon International Inc. (“Marcon”) and Fox-Tek, the Corporation provides a variety of services and products to a number of clients.

Marcon is an industrial supply contractor servicing the energy sector and a number of US Government entities. Marcon’s principal business is the sale and distribution of industrial parts and equipment (Electrical, mechanical and Instrumentation.) In addition to departments and agencies of the U.S. Government, Marcon’s major clients include Sabic Services, BNGC, BAPETCO, Qatar Petroleum, QGas & Qatar Petrochemical.

FOX-TEK develops non-intrusive asset health monitoring sensor systems for the oil and gas market to help operators track the thinning of pipelines and refinery vessels due to corrosion/erosion, strain due to bending/buckling and process pressure and temperature. The Corporation’s FT fiber optic sensor and corrosion monitoring systems allow cost-effective, 24/7 remote monitoring capabilities to improve scheduled maintenance operations, avoid unnecessary shutdowns, and prevent accidents and leaks.

Corporation contact:

Allen Lone, President, CEO, Augusta Industries Inc.
Tel: (905) 275 8111 Ext 226, email: [email protected]

The TSX Venture Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions, uncertainties and management’s best estimates of future events. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements are detailed from time to time in the Corporation’s periodic reports filed with the Ontario Securities Commission and other regulatory authorities. The Corporation has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.