TOMSK, Apr 17 – RIA
Tomsk. Scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) and
Institute of Strength Physics and Materials Science (ISPMS) of the Siberian
Branch of the Russian Academy of Science offer a new way to increase durability
of pipelines which in frosts become more fragile, the academician of RAS Victor
Panin reported RIA Tomsk.
He emphasized that the problem of increasing the
durability of steels from which pipelines are made became particularly
important when oil and gas companies started to extract hydrocarbons in the
Arctic. Accidents on gas and oil pipelines can not only lead to serious
industrial consequences and environmental pollution, but also to leave (in a
case with gas supply) without heat the whole settlements.
"In scientific literature isn't considered such
concept as curvature of a crystal lattice – usually an initial lattice is
taken, the correct one, in which all atoms are in knots. We introduced
curvature for the first time, showed the new mechanism: if we uniformly bend a
crystal lattice, then as a result we can place atoms in space between knots and
by that to reduce cold brittleness", – Panin told.
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He explained that if atoms, as well as it is
necessary, are in knots of an atomic lattice, then in these parts there is a
concentration of tension, and with fall of temperature metal of which pipelines
are made, becomes more fragile in these parts. And if to replace atoms in space
between knots as scientists of TPU and ISPMS offer, then tension dissipates,
vulnerable points don't arise.
According to the scientist, the special technology is
applied to process materials. It was presented at the International Arctic
forum. It is already clear that the new method allows to minimize negative
impact of frost up to 80 degrees. "We managed to reach seven-eightfold
increase in impact strength", – he noted.
Panin added that one more use of technology – is
increasing in durability of welded seams, including those for spaceships and
aviation equipment. "As soon as results of work will be patented, we will
enter the aviation branch. Now Central Aero-Hydrodynamic Institute named after
Professor Zhukovsky is interested", – the interlocutor of the agency told.