ThermoWrap MT Repairs Live Butane Line

UK
Pipe Details
  • 28-inch (711-mm) Carbon Steel line carrying Butane
  • Design Pressure 12.26 barg (178 psi)
  • Design temperature145ºC (293ºF)
  • Operating temperature 81ºC (178ºF)

Summary

  • A 28-inch (711-mm) carbon steel line carrying butane had sustained significant corrosion
  • ThermoWrap MT was used to repair the critically corroded area
  • 3 CSNRI technicians completed the installation in 32 hours
  • No hot work was required
  • No negative environmental impact
  • No need to completely shut down refinery operations
CSNRI Europe Ltd. had a team of technicians already working on site at a refinery when a routine inspection revealed external atmospheric corrosion on a 711-mm (28-inch) carbon steel line carrying butane. A length of 1.6 m (5 ft) of line was severely corroded, resulting in extensive wall thinning. The line was designed for 12.26 bar (178 psi) pressure and 145ºC (293ºF) and was operating at 81ºC (178ºF).
The traditional solution for repairing the line was to use a clamp, but the extent of the damage meant the repair would require a clamp weighing nearly two metric tons.
The CSNRI engineering team evaluated the details of the line damage and designed a composite solution. The thin-walled state of the line meant surface preparation would not be possible on the corroded area. This led to the decision to use ThermoWrap MT, which is particularly well suited for repairing high-temperature and process piping.
Butane Line
A routine inspection revealed external atmospheric corrosion on a 711-mm (28-inch) carbon steel line carrying butane.
Butane Line
Technicians carefully grit blast the line as close as possible to the defect without creating further damage or causing production loss on the damaged line.
ThermoWrap MT is a custom-engineered repair system that uses a fiberglass, composite-reinforced coating and non-crimped, glass fiber architecture, specially formulated to work with digital radiography inspection equipment. ThermoWrap MT is appropriate for corroded or damaged piping with harsh chemical services and elevated temperatures. It requires no cutting or welding, which simplifies installation. Engineers determined that the repair would require large quantities of ThermoWrap MT and immediately began preparing the shipment from a local office. The composite was shipped to the site the same day, and work commenced immediately. The main installation challenge was to apply a large number of layers in a congested area on to a pipeline running at 81ºC (178ºF). A team of 3 CSNRI technicians grit blasted the line as close to the damaged section as possible and repaired the damaged area with ThermoFill epoxy to restore the geometry of the line. The team then installed ThermoWrap MT in four stages, completing the entire repair in 32 hours without halting production.
Butane Line
Technicians installed ThermoWrap MT over 3.1 m (10.2 ft) of the damaged line.
Butane Line
The completed installation restored a length of 3.1 m (10.2 ft) 711-mm of corroded (28-inch) carbon steel line to safe service.
Butane Line
CSNRI technicians applied UV stable epoxy coating to add further protection to repair.
Working with trusted partners allowed the refinery to repair the damaged line quickly without shutting down the line or losing production and provided assurance that the installation could be executed without the risk of a live leak.