AREVA NP Uddcomb - Weld Overlay Corrosion Protection for Boilers, Super Heaters and Pressure Vessels

AREVA NP Uddcomb offers technical solutions for increased performance, availability and safety in our customer’s facilities. Our assignments include everything from small consultancy services up to large projects running for several years, in Sweden and internationally.

We specialise in project management, analysis, calculation, mechanical design and weld technology. We mainly deal with process systems and mechanical engineering, where we often offer our services as total undertakings. Our operations are signified by top-of-the-line competence, reliable delivery and cost-effective solutions.

Weld overlay services and products

Boilers fuelled by municipal waste, biomass and other renewable energy fuels can suffer from excessively high rates of fireside tube corrosion, resulting in a short service life and high operating and maintenance costs.

AREVA NP Uddcomb provides specialist weld overlay services and products designed to improve operational reliability in both existing and new boiler installations. We manufacture replacement tubes with high nickel-chrome alloy weld overlay protection for extending the life of super heaters and other critical boiler components. Our welding work is certified in accordance with SS-EN ISO 3834-2:2005.

Boiler tube weld overlay protection

AREVA NP Uddcomb’s superior process control ensures the weld overlay achieves the highest applied weld chemistry requirements that are essential for resisting corrosion. The tube is suitable for forming without the risk of damage to either the overlay layer or the base tube material. The fully fused homogeneous outer layer maintains its essential mechanical properties and microstructure even when forming small radius bends.

Our tube is the ideal solution for replacing conventional carbon steel and low alloy steels in high corrosion combustion environments. The tube has the economics of a carbon steel or low alloy-base tube material, with the advantages of a fully fused high Ni-Cr layer.

Our production versatility enables any combination of base tube material diameter and thickness to be overlay welded with today’s super alloys. We provide tube replacements for:

• Super heaters
• Headers
• Screen tubes and division walls
• Tube panels

Cladded tube weld overlay

The OptiCRO™ tube from AREVA NP Uddcomb is produced using a fully automated weld overlay process employing both MIG and TIG functions in the application of the spiral weld bead. The applied alloy is a fully fused and homogeneous layer that exhibits a dense microstructure that resists the penetration of corrosive combustion gas. The Uddcomb welding process is performed under requisite EN procedures and qualifications including the EN 3834-2 certification.

The OptiCro tube is designed for the replacement of carbon and low alloy-steel boiler tube and other pressure parts that are subjected to high rates of corrosion and erosion-corrosion. The tube exhibits excellent ductility, and can be cold or hot formed without risk of cracking, delamination or compromise to the essential mechanical and metallurgical properties of the base tube, or the applied overlay layer.

Advanced welding overlay protection

Advanced welding is a key element in most of our operations. We undertake weld repairs in challenging materials, develop weld repair concepts, manufacture welded products and provide consultancy services.

We have mechanised weld equipment for MIG / MAG and TIG. We can adapt our equipment for specific applications, such as weld operations in narrow areas or remote control with camera. Our equipment and weld technology provide flexibility, productivity and top-quality welding.

Advanced welding can be applied in the following areas:

• Development of weld repair concept for cracks in difficult materials, where we also perform the weld repair operation with our qualified weld engineers, project managers and welders
• Weld overlay of nozzles or other components in all combinations of materials, including in difficult-to-access places like oil platforms
• Welding of components for process industry or similar with high demands on welding and documentation

Permanent weld overlay corrosion protection

With overlay welding, AREVA NP Uddcomb is in a position to considerably improve corrosion protection in process equipment with our own developed methods, the UDDCOMB METHOD™ and OPTICRO™.

Twin-torch technology, programmable system architecture and multi-system capability ensure that we have the highest quality standards.

Pressure vessel repairs, upgrades and corrosion protection

AREVA NP Uddcomb’s methods are used for the corrosion protection of pressure vessels or other equipment / components, as well as tubes in boilers of different types. Our methods are flexible and can be adjusted to the present corrosion conditions and geometries of the equipment in question.

The UDDCOMB METHOD is a proven technology for the repair and upgrade of pressure and process vessels. We understand the need for permanent repair solutions that are delivered on time and to budget.