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Improving Global Quality of Life
Through Optimum Use and Innovation of Welding and Joining Technologies
an important issue in the successful use of these materials and present trends indicate a shift from the
conventional joining techniques to new ones. Whether it is the development of new materials or joining or
processing them for new applications, it is important to ensure that the ultimate objective of better quality
of life through development of these initiatives shall cover all the citizens of the world, including the poor
and those deprived of opportunities to contribute and enjoy the beautiful and mind enriching blessing
available on this planet earth. We shall not forget that not only the existing generation but also future
generations have a right to live in and enjoy our planet.
As testing and inspection becomes difficult and expensive, one often has to depend on modelling and
simulation for evaluation of the joints for their structural performance. These are not replacements, however,
for testing, as minimum tests have to be carried out both for the generation of physical property data and
for verification and validation of the models. Additionally, advanced analytical procedures for engineering
assessment of critical welded structural components are needed to provide support for material selection,
design and fabrication, in-service assessment and failure analysis.
With the increasing application of new materials and their joints in every walk of life, there is a need to
widen the scope of welding education and training by including the science and technology of joining of
these materials in the curriculum. In the present welding education systems, irrespective of whether they
are for welders, supervisors or engineers, the emphasis is on the welding of the present metals and alloys.
There is scope to introduce certification programmes for special joining techniques employed for the new
structural and advanced materials.
Having these in mind, with this White Paper (WhiP), the leading experts of the IIW have identified current
and future challenges and opportunities of the welding and joining sciences and technologies in all industrial
sectors to meet the industrial, environmental and societal needs to improve the quality of life.
An excellent example of future challenges and opportunities is the recent commitment by Shell to the
building of the Prelude Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Facility (FLNG) Project which will be the world’s
largest man-made floating object and has the potential to revolutionise the way natural gas resources are
developed. Once complete, the facility will have decks measuring 488 by 74 metres, the length of more
than four soccer fields. Fully ballasted it will weigh roughly six times as much as the largest aircraft carrier.
The floating facility will chill natural gas produced at the Prelude gas field to -162˚C, shrinking its volume by
600
times so that it can be shipped to customers in other parts of the world. The LNG, LPG and condensate
produced will be stored in tanks in the hull of the facility. Ocean-going carriers will moor alongside and load
the LNG as well as other liquid by-products (condensate and LPG) for delivery to market.
Figure 1.1
Shell’s Prelude
Floating Liquefied Natural Gas
Facility (Reproduced courtesy:
Royal Dutch Shell)
Scope and objectives
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