Stopple Bypass Options

T.D. Williamson, Inc.

Overview of Pipefreezing

Midland Cryogenics Ltd.

<<Pipe freezing is an essential tool in the maintenance of all types of liquid storage, process and transfer plant. The range of applications in which pipe freezing can provide cost effective solutions is both extensive and diverse, from a small domestic water pipe to a huge oil pipeline, from a hospital heating system to a brewery bulk storage system, the freeze can be applied quickly and the results are reliable. If you need to isolate plant or equipment, or simply wish to replace a leaking valve, the most practical solution to the problem in terms of time and cost is pipe freezing.>>

Fundamental Principles of Pigging Technology [PDF File]

Wiley.com Valve Repair in the 21st Century

United Valve

<<Once upon a time, most large refineries and chemical plants had their own valve shops, complete with a full compliment of experienced valve repair technicians. These service departments took care of most of the plants repair needs, although oftentimes valves were simply replaced rather than refurbished. >>

Thermal Stratification in Piping Systems

Structural Integrity Associates

<<Since the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) issued Bulletins 88-08 and 88-11, there has been an increased awareness of thermal stratification and related thermal cycling that were previously unidentified in piping systems. These thermal conditions can lead to piping displacements exceeding those considered in original design, and can produce significant thermal stresses in the pipe wall.>>

Stainless Steel Weld Overlay Repairs

Structural Integrity Associates

<<The Problem: Stainless Steel Pipe Leakage. Stainless steel piping components are subject to degradation mechanisms such as intergranular stress corrosion (IGSCC), microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), and primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC). As a result, a loss in structural integrity and leak tightness may occur.>>

Weld Overlay Repairs on Carbon Steel Piping

Structural Integrity Associates

<<The Problem: Carbon Steel Pipe Leakage. Carbon and low alloy steel piping and components are subject to degradation mechanisms which include: pitting, general corrosion, microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) and erosion-corrosion. As a result, they may experience localized wall thinning and leakage.>>

Detection of Flange Ring Groove Cracking in High Pressure Hydrogen Service

Structural Integrity Associates

<<The Problem: Gaining access to flange face grooves for inspection is time consuming and, if cracks are detected, can result in delays in returning the unit to service.>>

The Effects of Erosion-Corrosion on Power Plant Piping

National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors

<<Major failures have occurred in piping due to single-phase or wet-steam erosion-corrosion, resulting in injuries or loss of life as well as extensive plant downtime. Both nuclear and fossil power plants as well as petrochemical plants are susceptible to erosion-corrosion. Causes, possible corrective actions, where to look in susceptible systems, optimum nondestructive examinations and analytic techniques to predict remaining life are covered.>>

Vertiline Case Histories - Innovative Pipeline Evaluation and Repair

Baker Hughes Incorporated

<<Operators now recognize that a high number of their failures occur in the shorter and/or small-diameter pipelines, many of which were considered "un-piggable" by the industry. As the frequency and cost of failures in this category are realized, it becomes apparent to operators that all failures, regardless of pipeline size and length, can create significant risk exposure and expense to their companies. Most pipeline operators are unaware of the tethered, magnetic flux leakage inspection system specifically designed by Baker Atlas for the shorter, small-diameter pipelines. Typical application for this service includes oil and gas production flowlines, product lines, river crossings, refineries, and industrial and municipal piping. Since most of these types of pipelines are not equipped with launchers or receivers, the tethered inspection system is ideally suited. >>

Piping Tie-Ins - The Basics

PlantServices.com

<<Piping tie-ins are unavoidable in plants where expansion is a current or future factor. Steam, condensate, compressed air, dust collection, vacuum and process lines are just a few types of plant piping likely to be modified by tie-ins to increase capacity. Here are a few ways to minimize costly disruption of plant operation when tie-ins are inevitable. >>

Ultrasonic Crack Depth Measurement of Surface Bracking Cracks in Piping

NDT.net

<<The article introduces results of a program for validation of different ultrasonic test techniques for crack depth determination of surface breaking cracks. Two techniques, the TOFD technique and the angle beam testing with corner effect, both using time of flight measurement of the diffracted signal from the crack tip, are employed. Since it is not certain that all crack edges generate diffracted waves, the optimized ultrasonic pulse echo technique should be used. Applying TOFD as an additional analytic method for verification of Impulse Echo Technique or Radiography results seems to be more applicable. The first intensive programs focusing on detection of cracks in austenitic piping of nuclear power plants began in 1992. Defects studied include cracks in the weld section; lying circumferentially and more or less perpendicular to the inner surface. Analysis showed stress corrosion cracking to be the cause. Nonuniformities in the performance of weld geometry, such as misalignment and weld root penetration, make clear ultrasonic or radiography testing difficult. Ultrasonic diffraction technique was also employed as a test method. In the USA this method was first applied for crack detection and sizing (depth, length) in austenitic pipe welds. The tested welds were investigated destructively and the ultrasonic results were compared with those obtained via metalography. The inspection method and its parameters were validated.>>

Inspection Techniques for Detecting Corrosion Under Insulation

American Society for Nondestructive Testing, Inc.

<<Corrosion under insulation is difficult to find because of the insulation cover that masks the problem until it is too late. It is expensive to remove the insulation, particularly if asbestos is involved. There are a number of methods used today to inspect for corrosion under insulation. The main ones are profile radiography, ultrasonic spot readings, and insulation removal. The other method now available is real time X-ray. Real time X-ray has proven to be a safe, fast, and effective method of inspecting pipe in plant operations.>>

On-Line Radiographic Wallthickness-Measurement of Insulated Piping in the Chemical and Petrochemical Industry

NDT.net

<<Wall-thickness measurement of insulated piping is a typical NDT-application in the chemical and petrochemical industry. For ultrasonic wall-thickness measurements the insulation has to be removed, and - additionally - the accuracy is restricted by the pipe´s temperature. Under these circumstances radiographic methods should be preferred. Radiographic wall-thickness measurements had been carried out since the 50´s, but there is only very little literature about this special radiographic technique. A major disadvantage of this radiographic method is, that the results are obtained off-line after film processing. There is a great industrial need for making radiographic wall-thickness measurements really on-line, which requires the availability of a filmless -ray imager. This paper deals with first results obtained with a new flat and lightweighted Radiation Image Detector (RID).>>

Minimize FCCU Start-Up Problems

GDS Engineers, Inc.

<<Startup is a scary experience, especially following a revamp or turnaround. To avoid unwanted misery and potentially abnormal operating conditions, process engineers and fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) operators should carefully check out new installations and any equipment modifications. In some refineries, and FCCU shutdown/startup is a once-in-a-career event for a process engineer. Companies schedule shutdowns every two or three years and the engineer will normally rotate to another assignment before the next shutdown. The following reviews possible trouble areas, gives examples of different types of problems and suggests how to prevent them. >>

Proof That Draining Down Condenser Water Piping Will More Than Double Its Corrosion Rate

East Coast Industries Inc.

<<It is a generally recognized fact that fully drained or partially drained piping systems are far more susceptible to corrosion than systems containing treated water, or even untreated water. Given a moist environment in combination with the presence of abundant air and oxygen, exposed piping has been documented to corrode at a rate two to ten times that of other water filled pipe of the same type, and located within the same circulating system. Condenser water systems suffer the greatest.>>

Maintaining Steam Traps

Enercheck Systems, Inc.

<<Failed steam traps waste and adversely affect product quality. Therefore, a maintenance program for steam traps is a good investment. Most plant and facilities professionals with steam systems in their care have asked questions like the following: What are the signs of a malfunctioning steam trap? How often should traps be inspected? What inspection techniques are available? What testing instruments should we use? How do we start a steam trap maintenance program? What kind of training resources are required?>>

Technology Overview: Ultrasonic Detection

Enercheck Systems, Inc.

<<Some of the most common plant applications are: leak detection in pressure and vacuum systems (i.e., boilers, heat exchangers, condensers, chillers, distillation columns, vacuum furnaces, specialty gas systems), bearing inspection, steam trap inspection, valve blow-by, pump cavitation, detection of corona in switch gear, compressor valve analysis, and the integrity of seals and gaskets in tanks, pipe systems and large walk-in boxes.>>

How to Purge with Nitrogen

Air Liquide

<<Nitrogen purging is easily adapted to any process installation. Different methods are used depending on the type and shape of the equipment to be purged and on the location of the purging inlets and outlets.>>

Pipeline Rehabilitation

Insituform Technologies, Inc.

<<Insituform specializes in rehabilitating pipes that are underground or located in other hard-to-reach places. We have the products and capabilities to rehabilitate problem pipes from the inside by creating a seamless, jointless pipe-within-a-pipe. Our safety-certified installers complete projects quickly and economically with minimal inconvenience to you and your plant's operations.>>

Piping Fabrication, Installation, Flushing and Testing

Norsok Standard

<<This standard covers the basis for fabrication, installation, flushing, pressure testing, chemical cleaning, hot oil flushing and system colour coding of process, drilling and utility piping for offshore oil and/or gas production facilities.>>

What is Hydrostatic Testing?

American Gas and Chemical Co. Ltd.

<<Hydrostatic Leak Testing is used to test components for leaks by pressurizing them inside with a liquid. This testing method can be used on piping, tanks, valves and containers with welded or fitted sections. Leaks can be found up to about 1x10-4 std cc/sec . NOTE: Hydrostatic Testing can be a nondestructive test as well as used as a burst test.>>

Frequently-Asked Questions about Pipefreezing

Freeze Seal, Inc.

Photographs of a Pipefreezing Operation in Progress

Freeze Service, Inc.

<<Pipe freeze plugging is a simple, cost-effective method to perform pipe maintenance or line modification without shutting down your plant process.>>

In-Line Video Finds Faulty Fusion Joints, Identifies Unknown Pipe Material Without Disrupting Service

Gulf Publishing Company

<<Recent modifications of in-line video camera technology have enabled Southwest Gas to inspect and repair polyethylene (PE) plastic distribution pipe in a safe and cost-effective manner that minimizes service disruptions. When Southwest experienced a number of butt fusion failures, modified in-line video technology helped company engineers pinpoint problem areas and assess replacement versus repair alternatives. In-line video cameras also enabled company engineers to identify the composite material used to manufacture distribution pipe owned, but not originally installed by Southwest to determine whether replacement was warranted.>>

Pipe Wrap

Pipe Wrap is a fast, easy, durable and cost effective pipe repair system

Tell Tale Holes (TTH) - A Compliment to Existing Piping and Fitting Inspection Practices

Inspectioneering Journal

<<New inspection technology, when added to the proven practice of using tell tale holes (TTHs), proves effective in reducing significant releases and or catastrophic events that are related to internal corrosion / erosion of process piping. In fact, one facility's experience indicates that this practice, when used in conjunction with current and newly advanced technology such as automated ultrasonic (AUT) and profile radiograph (PRT), is more effective than using only new technology.>>

Risk from Uncoordinated Cathodic Protection Grows

Pipe Line and Gas Industry, Gulf Publishing Company

<<Two or more uncoordinated, active cathodic protection systems in proximity to each other can do harm if their owners fail to coordinate their operation to avoid interference and stray currents. While the risk caused by competing cathodic protection (CP) systems has long been understood by pipeline corrosion engineers, it is becoming more urgent today as petroleum terminal operators decide to actively protect their buried tank bottoms and pipes by installing CP systems near delivery and transmission pipelines and other buried metal structures.>>

The World Market Place of Trenchless Technologies

Trenchless Information Center

Trenchless Methods of Underground Construction and Rehabilitation

Trenchless Data Service

<<Trenchless construction is a method for the installation and rehabilitation of underground pipes and conduits with little or no surface excavation.>>

Line Pigging and Inspection

BHR Group Limited

<<Pigs have been used for over 100 years and perform a wide range of duties from the relatively simple such as removing debris (for example scale, water,wax) to the more sophisticated for internal inspection of a pipeline. New challenges such as assessing the integrity of composite (flexible) pipelines, accurate leak detection, and visual inspection coupled with greater assurance of the internal condition of the pipeline, demand new or improved pigging solutions.>>

Cathodic Protection

Allied Corrosion Industries - Basic Theory of Corrosion

<<Cathodic Protection is usually accomplished through one of two methods: the first method would be to connect a sacrificial metal (with a higher natural electromotive force) through a metallic conductor or wire to the structure intended to be protected. Magnesium is a common sacrificial or galvanic anode. This type of galvanic cathodic protection relies on the natural electrical potential between the two metals to cause the cathodic protection current to flow. Since the driving voltage is limited to the very small potential difference existing between the metals, and the current output is relatively low, this type of cathodic protection is normally associated with very small or very well-coated structures. The second common type of cathodic protection is referred to as impressed current cathodic protection. This type of cathodic protection relies on an external direct current source such as a rectifier or battery. An anode material is placed in the electrolyte with the structure intended to be protected, and is made more positive than the structure by connecting both the anode and the structure to the direct current supply. Any conductive materials can be utilized as an impressed current anode, but since corrosion takes place at the anode, materials with very low consumption rates are most desirable.>>

About Pigs

Pigging Products and Services Association

<<Pipeline pigs are devices that are inserted into and travel throughout the length of a pipeline driven by a product flow. They were originally developed to remove deposits which could obstruct or retard flow through a pipeline. Today pigs are used during all phases in the life of a pipeline for many different reasons.>>

Pipefreezing Technology

Cyril W Bishop Engineering Services Ltd.

<<Pipefreezing is a means of isolating part of a pipework system by freezing the pipe contents over a short section, so that the contents form a solid plug. This avoids having to drain the system down, and in many cases freezing can be carried out without shutting the system down. Once a specific part of a system has been isolated with pipefreezing, it is possible to carry out repairs, modifications, maintenance, leak detection, pressure testing, etc. A container (usually referred to as a jacket) is placed around the pipe, and then filled with liquid nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen boils at -196oC, and so boils very readily on the surface of the pipe within the jacket. This removes heat from the pipe and its contents, which will in time freeze solid. As the nitrogen boils off, it releases nitrogen vapour which is vented away to the atmosphere. In certain situations, solid or gaseous carbon dioxide is used. This is not as cold as liquid nitrogen, and so freezing takes longer, but has the advantage of not exposing the pipe material to such low temperatures.>>