iNPIPE Plugging System A Great Success

 

When iNPIPE PRODUCTS™ were approached by National Grid they were challenged to find the safest and most time efficient manner to change a valve on a LNG storage tank situated at Partington.  Safety was stressed as being of paramount importance as the LNG tanks held temperatures of minus 160˚C.

 

iiNPIPE PRODUCTS™ responded to National Grids request by designing a Plugging System (patent pending) consisting of an MP Pipe Plug and Stuffing Box.  The concept meant that the MP Plug would be inserted through the valve to isolate the line and provide a safe working environment so that the old valve could be replaced safely.  Following a site survey by iNPIPE PRODUCTS™ , a Plugging System for this particular application was manufactured, pre-tested, and under went a Factory Approval Test at our headquarters in Yorkshire

 

On the 16th June 2009 the valve change out took place.  The Plugging System was connected to the existing valve and the gas pressure and pipeline temperature were continually monitored.  Heaters were installed to keep the pipeline at ambient temperature.  Once National Grid were satisfied that the gas pressure and temperature were stable iNPIPE PRODUCTS™ were able to open the valve and insert the plug to a pre-determined position located beyond the valve.

 

The plug was then inflated and an inter-cavity pressure applied using Nitrogen gas to prove that the MP Pipe Plug had sealed.  With the plug now in place the stuffing box was removed leaving the plug inside the pipe. Once the valve had been replaced the stuffing box was reconnected to the valve and then the plug.  With the introduction of gas pressurised to 1.7 bar the new gasket and valve under went a low pressure test.  Before the inter cavity was depressurised safety checks were made and the tyres deflated, one tyre had frozen due to the pipe centre’s temperature dropping to below zero.  To resolve this matter iNPIPE PRODUCTS™ and the Heating contractors advised National Grid to increase the heaters positioned around the pipe to thaw the plug.  After a few hours the tyre thawed and iNPIPE PRODUCTS™ were able to deflate, the MP plug was then retraced through the new valve and back into the stuffing box.  The valve was then closed and the plugging system depressurised and then removed.

 

Despite the unexpected freezing from inside the pipe the job was executed to plan and to the   complete satisfaction of all parties.

 

Robin Arnold Manager at iNPIPE HIRE™ stated “We work closely with our clients to design and create innovative solutions to their problems.   iNPIPE PRODUCTS™ Plugging System was a great success and is evidence of the capabilities of our design and engineering departments”

 

Ian Briggs Operation Engineer stated "the operation was a great success, with the whole team having full confidence in iNPIPE's equipment.