Ohio, USA: DNV launches the new Material and Corrosion Research Center in Columbus, Ohio. It is being founded in close cooperation with Ohio State University and CC Technologies.

The center will develop new technology and methodologies related to the enormous challenges the US economy is facing due to material corrosion.

DNV, together with CC Technologies, a recognized technology leader in corrosion and materials and a unit within DNV Energy, have established the Ohio Material and Corrosion Research Center in Columbus, Ohio, USA. A cooperation agreement with Ohio State University will also strengthen the research activities and access to personnel.

Elisabeth Harstad, the head of DNV Research & Innovations, says; ”The research center will develop new technology and methodologies related to the enormous challenges the US economy is facing due to material corrosion. It is intended to be a major research player in this field.”

The center has employed Narasi Sridhar as manager, who is is a recognised expert in the corrosion research and development community in North America. He comes from a position as program director of the mechanical and materials engineering division of the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in San Antonio, Texas.

Will deal with corrosion challenges
Neil Thompson, the founder of CC Technologies and global onshore pipeline director of DNV Energy, has been instrumental in setting up the research center. He notes, “There is obviously a need for the
further development of knowledge, methodologies and technology to deal with the increased impact corrosion has on the US economy.”

The study ‘Corrosion Costs and Preventive Strategies in the United States’ performed by CC Technologies and supported by NACE International, was presented to the US Congress in 2002–2003. The study estimated the total annual economic impact of corrosion on the US economy to be USD 276 billion in direct costs. Indirect costs, including social costs, could easily double this amount. The direct cost of corrosion is equivalent to three per cent of United States GDP (1998 dollars). In addition, the study indicated that most of these costs were related to ageing infrastructures.

Since the CC Technologies study, the US Congress has passed new regulations governing pipeline integrity, for typically large diameter, high-pressure natural gas and product transmission pipelines, and has established an Office of Corrosion Control and Prevention Policy within the US Department of Defense (DoD).

Contact Neil Thompson, CC Technologies, phone +1 614 761 1214, e-mail Neil.Thompson@dnv.com