WHOI installs a 20 000 psi Hyperbaric Pressure from Optime Subsea

The Massachusetts and US based Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) installed its newest 1380bar (20 000psi) hyperbaric pressure system supplied from Optime Subsea as part of a new test building and pit on WHOI’s premises.

WHOI is the world's leading, independent non-profit organization’s dedicated to ocean research, exploration, and education. It has has now acquired a hyperbaric pressure system to enhance it’s test capabilities in support of carrying out its mission of advancing human understanding of the ocean.

The hyperbaric testing system has been delivered by Optime Subsea with an inner diameter of 635mm (25in) and a height of 2 500mm (98in). It has just been installed at WHOI’s facilities in Woods Hole, MA and includes both a pressure vessel and a control system. The new test chamber is part of a grant awarded from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through the Massachussetts Technology Collaborative to WHOI, to improve its test facilities and provide access to state of the art facilities for the entire Marine Robotics Sector state as a whole. Contract value is undisclosed.

The 20 000psi hyperbaric pressure vessel was manufactured by Optime Subsea in Notodden, Norway and delivered to WHOI on schedule and on budget.

“This system more than triples our high pressure test capacity by enableing unattended 24x7 operations. It replaces an outdated system that is more than 50 years old with a modern system that incorporates high standards of safety and functionality. This will provide vital test capability to WHOI and to the Marine Robotics Sector within the Commonwealth of Massachussets” says Carl Kaiser, Program Manager at WHOI.

“It has been great working with WHOI on this project, and we hope to continue the collaboration in the future. Our system solutions differ in both complexity and pricing, with this one categorized more towards the complex category. With a 20 000psi system and no welds, the system is uniquely resistant to dynamic pressue waves, which increases fatigue life and also resistance to particular events such as implosion. It basically allows for extreme pressure testing without degrading the lifetime. We also believe this delivery confirms that although it is a technically advanced system, it is very cost competitive. When considering the unique operational efficiency and increased lifetime of our system, the return on investment is quicker,” adds Thor-Arne Lovland, Chief Operating Officer of Optime Subsea.