ProGRAM JIP phase 3: AM and sustainability

25 June, 2024

The ProGRAM Joint Industry Project (JIP) is an ambitious initiative aimed at establishing and refining guidelines and industry standards for the application of metal components produced through additive manufacturing (AM) within the energy and maritime sectors. Since its inception in 2018, this project has engaged a consortium of over 20 companies spanning the entire supply chain. One of its significant achievements includes the development and continuous enhancement of the DNV standard DNV-ST-B203, which governs the qualification and production of parts using various AM technologies.

Phases of ProGRAM JIP

The latest phase, known as ProGRAM JIP Phase 3, started in May 2022. This phase concentrated on several critical areas:

  1. Development of Guidelines for Part Families: Establishing comprehensive guidelines tailored to different part families to ensure consistency in quality.
  2. Design for Additive Manufacturing: Creating standardized methods that facilitate design optimization specifically for AM processes.
  3. Environmental Impact Assessment: Introducing a standardized approach to estimate and report on the environmental impact of AM compared to conventional manufacturing methods.

To validate these advancements, six real-life use cases were employed to verify both the quality and sustainability credentials of AM-produced parts, one of them being the TX Seal in which BMT Aerospace contributed.

BMT Aerospace's Contributions

BMT Aerospace's contributions to ProGRAM JIP Phase 3 are exemplified through our involvement in producing a TX Seal as part of a joined effort with OneSubsea (formerly Aker Solutions) and the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS). The TX Seal is a metal-to-metal sealing element used to form barriers against well fluids, hydraulic fluids, and chemicals.

Several reasons justified selecting Additive Manufacturing (AM) for this part:

  • Shortening production lead times
  • Improving quality over conventionally forged parts
  • Accommodating a large part family with sizes ranging from 1” to 14”
  • Reduced material consumption, less raw material to keep in stock

BMT Aerospace played a significant role in enhancing both production efficiency and quality improvement for the TX Seal within ProGRAM JIP Phase 3. In addition, we were an important contributor for destructive and non-destructive inspections.

Focus on Sustainability in AM

One key area explored by ProGRAM JIP Phase 3 was sustainability—a crucial factor given today's emphasis on reducing industrial carbon footprints. The project identified that while AM can offer notable sustainability benefits, these are not universally guaranteed across all scenarios. Several factors influence these outcomes:

  • Type of AM Technology: Different technologies have varying levels of efficiency and environmental impact.
  • Material Used: The choice of material plays a significant role in determining overall sustainability.
  • Energy Mix at Production Location: The source of energy used during production significantly affects CO2 emissions.
  • Design Optimization: Efficient designs can reduce material usage and waste.
  • Functional Performance: Ensuring that parts meet or exceed performance standards without unnecessary resource expenditure.

To aid in this assessment, an AM sustainability calculator was utilized to compare CO2 emissions between AM-produced parts and those manufactured through conventional means. Additionally, guidelines were proposed for objectively calculating and reporting carbon footprints specific to AM components.

Conclusion

The ongoing work under ProGRAM JIP underscores its commitment to advancing additive manufacturing within critical industries by providing robust standards that enhance both quality assurance and environmental responsibility. As we move forward, such initiatives will be pivotal in driving sustainable innovation across diverse industries.