Texas
Pipe Details
- 36-inch (914.4-mm) gas line
- 1,440 PSI (99.28bar) Maximum Operating Pressure
- 70ºF (21.1ºC) pipe temperature
- 95ºF (35ºC) ambient temperature
Summary
- 36-inch (914.4-mm) high-pressure gas line was corroded and pitted
- CSNRI trained technicians completed the installation in 2.5 hours
- No welding was required
- No shutdown required
An inspection on a 36-inch (914.4-mm) natural gas pipeline in Northwest Texas revealed significant corrosion and pitting around a girth weld. The line, designed for 1,440 psi (99.28 bar) maximum operating pressure, would need to remain in service while the repair was carried out. This meant that the product selected would have to be installed without introducing hot work.
Having used composite solutions in the past, the owner looked to CSNRI for a repair. After evaluating the damage to the line, experts at CSNRI suggested using the BlackDiamond® (now Atlas™) carbon-fiber wrap.
Engineered to provide strength that enables line restoration to maximum operating pressure (MOP) without shutting down, BlackDiamond® has a long and successful track record for rehabilitating and restoring damaged pipelines to their original operational strength.
The system comprises three components: a solid epoxy primer, bi-directionally woven carbon-fiber material, and polymeric epoxy resin.
The team of technicians received training immediately prior to the installation. To carry out the repair, they used filler putty in all the defected areas on the pipeline and on the entire girth weld bead to ensure a smooth transition for the fabric. Once the putty was in place, primer was mixed and poured over the entire area.
Then the carbon-fiber fabric was wetted and wrapped around a 2-inch (50.8-mm) OD tube to help keep tension on it while it was being installed on the pipe. The team applied 6 layers, centered over the weld cap. This design, using wider fabric, expedited installation and greatly reduced the number of layers needed to restore the line to MOP.
The repair was completed in approximately 2.5 hours and was fully cured in 8 hours. This approach returned the line to safety, delivering a quick, reliable repair that did not require the line to be taken out of service.
