Reducing The Risk of Pipework Vibration Fatigue Failures
Trainer Profile – Neil Parkinson
Summary
Neil Parkinson BSc CEng FIMechE has over 35 years’ experience in structural integrity monitoring, pipework vibration assessments and problem solving.
Neil founded VibTech Ltd in 2012 to focus on pipework vibration training for engineers. In addition, Neil regularly performs Quantitative Assessment Services for piping systems as well as other pipework vibration consultancy for companies internationally.
Prior to starting VibTech, Neil joined AVT Reliability Ltd (previously AV Technology Ltd) in 1985 and was Technical Director there since 1993 where he helped establish AVT Reliability’s pipework vibration services, including the development of a range of remedial repair options, including the AVT Easy-Brace small bore connection (SBC) universal solution as well as main line solutions including visco-elastic dampers and dynamic vibration absorbers (tuned mass dampers).
Neil has personally provided Pipework Vibration training to over 100 engineers over the past 8 years, which has included training all of AVT Reliability Ltd’s own in-house engineers who are now using these skills to perform pipework assessment services for customers daily.
Recent VibTech projects include:
- Petroineos, Grangemouth Refinery – 16 No. Online Training Sessions
- Private, Saudi Arabia – 4 No. Online Training Sessions
- Stantec, Canada – QAT-365 Quantitative Assessment Tool
- C&C Petrogas, Canada – QAT-365 Quantitative Assessment Tool
- South Hook LNG (AVT), UK – Thermowell Vibration Assessments
- Peru LNG, Peru – Flow Induced Vibration (FIV) Assessments
- AVT Reliability Ltd – Various courses
- ESR – FIV Assessments
- Oman LNG, Oman – 5-day course
- SBM Offshore, Monaco – 3-day course
- Essar Oil & Gas, Stanlow Refinery, UK – 2 No. 2-day courses
- Costain Group, Manchester, UK – 3-day course
- Bechtel, London – 3-day course
- TUV NORD, Egypt – QAT-365 Quantitative Assessment Tool
- Perenco UK Ltd – 3-day course
- Hunt LNG, Peru – 4-day course
- AECL – Flow Induced Vibration (FIV) Assessments
- AECL – Acoustic Induced Vibration (AIV) Assessments
Previous Experience
In 1982 Neil joined the British Gas Corporation in Newcastle where he was responsible for many offshore-related development projects, including the development of the unique ‘Gascowise’ diver-applied underwater strain measurement system, patented in 1985.
Neil joined AV Technology as Consulting Engineer in 1985, with responsibility for a variety of structural monitoring projects applied to many industries both onshore and offshore.
Following promotion to Technical Director in 1993, Neil managed AVT’s Asset Integrity Division until Aug 2019, where he had ultimate technical and commercial responsibility for all work carried out by the division as well as corporate responsibilities as part of AVT’s senior management team.
On a day to day basis, Neil was responsible for the 2 key areas: Pipework Vibration Compliance; and Structural Integrity:
The Pipework Vibration Compliance work was aimed at reducing the risk of vibration related fatigue failures in pipework systems. Pipework vibration services include vibration risk assessments, pipework solutions and pipework vibration training. All work is in accordance with the Energy Institute guidelines for the avoidance of vibration induced fatigue failure in process pipework. This work includes, the design of vibration solutions including fixed bracing, visco-dampers and dynamic vibration absorbers.
The Structural Integrity work was focussed on the monitoring and assessment of the dynamic behaviour of structures, plant and machinery under operational loading conditions to assess whether they are fit for service or to assess the likelihood of failure. This work includes, modal analysis, operating deflection shape analysis, fatigue analysis and both time domain and frequency domain analysis, including advanced frequency analysis techniques such as cross-correlation, phase and coherence analysis.
Professional Training & Qualifications including Safety Certifications
- BSc 2.1 (Hons) Degree in Engineering Science
- Association of Project Management Professionals (APMP) IPMA Level D Certificate
- IOSH – Managing Safety in the Engineering Construction Industry
- CCNSG Safety Passport
- Vibration Analysis Category 2
Professional Memberships & Associations
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) FIMechE
- European Engineer (Eur Ing) FEANI