WHOI Takes Hyperbaric Pressure System from Optime Subsea

Optime Subsea has supplied 20 000 psi hyperbaric pressure system to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) to form part of a new test building and pit on WHOI’s premises.

The hyperbaric testing system, with an inner diameter of 635 mm and a height of 2 500 mm, has been installed at WHOI’s facilities 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 for the entire marine robotics sector state as a whole.

The 20 000psi hyperbaric pressure vessel was manufactured by Optime Subsea in Notodden, Norway.

“This system more than triples our high pressure test capacity by enabling unattended 24×7 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 It replaces an outdated system that is more than 50 years old with a modern system that incorporates high standards of safety and functionality.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 Massachusetts,” said 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,” added Thor-Arne Lovland, chief operating officer of Optime Subsea.