Live repairs to In-service pipelines

Mechanical damage and corrosion is part of every mechanical process and sooner than later, there will be a time when the mechanical system will develop faults and require repair. It must be noted that stopping operations and getting everything back online take time and often culminates in lost time and effort, something not too desirable for time-critical industries such as gas and oil, hence the process of Pipeline Tapping.

Pipeline Tapping is relevant for jobs where the work cannot be halted at all. The risks of opening up pipelines when they are under steam and live are several. In worst cases, it can lead to the air being contaminated with poisonous greenhouse gases. To minimize the risk and keep risk of seepage under control, Pipeline Tapping is the most reliable solution. With the help of this technique costly shutdowns can be averted.

5 Fundamentals to Note about Pipeline Tapping

• Pipeline Tapping should not be considered for routine maintenance.  There are other faster and economically viable alternatives that should be considered before Pipeline Tapping. 

• The task is very technical and requires the expertise of the right people for the job to go through without any untoward happening in site, and most importantly to get operations back online in as short a time as possible.  Hire a talented crew for the job. 

• Concerns of health issues arising from Pipeline Tapping and effect on the metallurgical resources must be addressed by getting a proper plan approved ahead of time to mitigate accidents and unplanned delays.

• Pressure of the ingredients within the pipe must be contained with of adequate thickness or risk leakages. Which means new section that is to be added to the repaired pipeline must be of the same thickness as the one replaced. 

• Proper replacement is of critical importance in Hot Tapping Pipelines. Using anything less than anything approved for the job will invite mishaps.

Pipe Tapping – The Secret behind Maintenance Work Carried Out On Live Pipelines

Imagine the mess a leaking sewage pipeline will create if it is left unattended for weeks at end! In thickly packed urban areas in the UK where sewage lines from every single household converges into one large sewage pipeline, maintenance workers cannot risk such disasters to happen. Preemptive measures are taken in order to mitigate disaster situations. You might have seen maintenance workers going working on pipelines and wondered what actually went on behind the scenes. Well, here is a glimpse into what happens when maintenance workers carry out what they call Pipeline Tapping.

Putting a cork on the pressure

Actually, the very first thing that happens in pipeline tapping is cutting a hole through the hard shell of the pipeline. This allows for tools to be inserted through the hole that helps in controlling the pressure within. What this does it makes it quite possible to manipulate the pressure acting along the pipeline, letting workers plan out their work better without causing any disruptions.

One continuous process

Everything in pipeline tapping is one single process that begins with the pilot bit cutting through the pipe shell and ends with the removal of the coupon (section of the pipe that is cut and removed). When the cutter has done its job, subsequent phases of the process is carried out. Adding new pipelines or removing a redundant section can be easily done with pipe tapping. So effective are the methods of Pipeline Isolation that it can be safely and effectively used for pipes that are on the surface as well as those that are under water.

What pipe freezing is all about?

There are hundreds of industrial applications where pipelines play a crucial in keeping the processes running and active. Any downtime in the pipeline flow may result in huge monetary loss. For example, there is always a scope for maintenance work for which a specific time slot is allocated. The most typical way to carry out any kind of work on a live pipe is to stop the flow and then do the required work in that time period. But today’s competitive industrial environment demands for always up time and zero breakdown. But still accidents never come announced. So here comes the need of a technology that allows engineers to do their regular job on a live pipeline without hindering the running flow in the pipe.

One such process is Pipe Freezing which is defined as an intrusive, controlled method of separating a section of pipe, by solidifying the pipe contents to form a secure ice plug which in turn holds the liquid flow whilst a maintenance work is carried out. The best thing about pipe freezing process is that even a big job can be carried out without causing much disturbance to regular activities at the premises.

During the process, a jacket is fitted around the pipe section to be freeze. There after liquid nitrogen is introduced into the jacket to freeze the contents of the pipe. This process is found to be very effective in industries where shutting down the line even for few minutes can result in severe losses.

Pipeline Services in UK : A Cost Effective and Reliable Solution for Pipes

Pipeline services are required, when the cylinder in your factory needs some reconstruction, due to some damage. Pipeline services in UK are offered by a lot of pipe service providers, and they offer these services in affordable rates. But it is important that before you choose a service supplier, you need to be very sure that the supplier, is adept enough in offering its services. There are a lot of pipeline services that are used for the pipes like, pipe freezing, hot tapping and wall tapping services. So let’s understand in detail as to what these services are-

Freezing Pipe :

Freezing Pipe is known to be a non-invasive type of method, where the pipeline that is used is insulated. This method uses liquid nitrogen, and ensures that a break-in can be done on the pipe, with least amount of disruption. This system has some common advantages like they are quiet cost effective, reliable and environment friendly too. This service can be used in a number of pipes that carries different types of liquids. This process also reduces the need to handle, any kind of dangerous liquids.

Hot Tapping :

This process is also known as under pressure drilling, and it is quiet apt for those conditions, where pipe freezing is not suitable. A branch connection is used in this method in the pipe that has got damaged. In this process a small section of the pipe is under construction and, a separating valve is welded or fitted mechanically. When the process of fitting is complete, then the technician involved drills the pipe through the valve.

So study all your options in detail, and only then choose the one that suits you the best. Pipeline services in UK are a perfect solution for the pipes, as it suits your requirements as well as your budget.

Know about Freezing Pipe

Freezing Pipe is a medium of isolating some part of the pipe work system by which contents of the pipe are free zed being divided in a short section. By doing this, the contents of the pipe form a solid over the existing pipeline.

It even helps to avoid the draining system down where in many of the cases without stopping the present work and without any kind of hindrance in the existing pipeline new connection can be joined. You do not need to stop the work. Isn’t it great that you do not need to stop work? Not only it saves your time but also it saves your energy too. With the help of freezing pipe, certain specific part of the pipes are isolated where it is very much sure to carry out works such as maintenance work, repairing work, molding or forming some kind of changes in the pipe itself, detecting the leakage problem, testing the pressure and other kinds of works that are related with the work of hot tapping.

In some of the cases, carbon dioxide which is gaseous in nature and solid material is used to taste the situation of the pipe. As, it is not as cool as the liquid Nitrogen freezing the pipe takes more time. But the thing that is beneficial is that it does not expose the material of the pipe to low temperature.

Freeze Pipe without Shutting It Down

Have you guys ever seen work of pipes being carried out without the loss of flow? Yes! I am talking about pipe work being carried out without loss of water and that also without the loss of single bucket of water. As, you guys must have seen that whenever plumbing work is carried out by any technician some level of water is flowed away.

But to your surprise Allied Pipe Freezing has brought new technique of freezing the pipe. By freezing pipe you are able to do your work without any disruption. What’s more surprising is that you do not need to shutdown other pipes running across it. Isn’t this great? You can do two to three works at a time and that also without any disruption and shutting down of work. Not only freezing pipe saves your time buy also your energy too.

With the help of freezing pipe, the technician does not need to put much effort because this technique itself helps to absorb the heat coming out from the pipe and its content. The ambient temperature helps it to cool to liquid nitrogen temperature. Though this technique is great in today’s competitive world which not only helps to save your time but also your energy the freeze process time varies, depending on the size of pipe and its contents. But today it has proved to be cost and time effective both.

At Allied Pipe Freezing, We Understand Your Troubles

Nobody wants to see a breakdown of operations due to a leakage in their pipelines. Nobody wants to think about a shutdown, because gas pipes have just started giving some troubles. But, some things are simply unavoidable; that is the time when you should call a professional pipe freezing or freezing pipe service provider; that is the time when you should call Allied Pipefeezing. At Allied PipeFreezing, we understand your troubles and thus, provide best-in-the-industry solutions for all the troubles that a pipeline can offer. Whether it is freezing pipe or hot tapping or wall tapping, we do it all for our customers throughout the UK. And, our services are quite affordable. Log on to our website for more information.

Choose Allied Because;

•  We offer you cost-effective solutions to industry problems
•  We're a known brand, offering personal and flexible service
•  We've highly-trained workforce
•  We're a dependable service provider
•  We're quite affordable

When you have Allied professionals by your side, you never have to resort to things like complete shut-down. We ensure minimal wastage and great results for our customers, at affordable charges. After all, we're here for years, and have no plans to quit anytime soon. Call us up at 0845 658 0425 and see how we can help you.

Major Advantages of Pipe Freezing

Pipe Freezing is a beautiful process of isolating a pipeline so that remedial works/alterations can be carried out, with minimal disruption. It is a non-intrusive method whereby the content of the pipeline is freeze using liquid nitrogen. Pipe Freezing offers a bundle of benefits. Some of them are:

• Structure and integrity of pipes are unaffected by the freezing process

• Safe, cost-effective, and reliable service

• There is no need for drainage, venting or refilling, thus maximizing up-time

• Environmentally friendly method

• Can be applied to pipes containing a wide range of liquids, including water, waste water, sewage, fuel oils, and heavy hydrocarbons and oils.

• Pipe Freezing can be performed on many types of pipes, including carbon steel, stainless steel, copper, lead, and aluminum.

At Allied Pipe freezing, we provide the quality Freezing Pipe services to a number of our clients throughout the UK. We are in the business for years and know what we do. In fact, we love what we do. If you are in need of a Pipe Freezing services provider, do consider us. Give us a call. Covering both Public and Private sectors and supplying our customer-centric services across a vast range of industries, we have proudly established ourselves as one of the leading companies in our sector. Hope to hear from you soon!