It is a well-known fact that pipelines develop faults from time to time. This is where freeze stopping comes in. It’s a very handy technique used when fixing pipe network failures. Here are some important things you should know about this process.
Pipeline Freezing – What Is It Anyway?
When your pipe networks develop issues, your best option is to call a plumbing specialist to conduct a thorough inspection of the entire system. In most cases, the entire system will have to be drained in order for the repair to proceed. Doing this repeatedly isn’t good for the system and also wastes a lot of time.
Pipeline freezing does exactly what the name implies. By freezing the plumbing network, you can prevent any more damage, keep the pipes in usable condition, and conduct repairs without having to drain the entire system.
In this procedure, the engineers apply liquid nitrogen unto the outer surface of a pipe. This reduces the internal temperature of the pipe and creates an ice plug inside it. This plug can hold up to about 4000 psi of pressure. Click here to learn more about liquid nitrogen.
What Are The Benefits Of Pipeline Freeze Stopping?
Depending on the type of materials you have and the size of the facility, this procedure could end up saving you a ton of money in the long run. It also saves you money when it comes to the drainage system. Normally, you would have to spend money installing various parts in order to be able to properly repair the system. This process is also environmentally friendly.
Aside from improving the performance of your plumbing network, this procedure also benefits the engineers. Freeze stopping is a simple task that does not require serious effort on the engineers’ part. Long story short, this procedure is a more efficient and cost-effective way of dealing with pipeline issues.
Pipe-freezing Process
Here are some of the steps that will be taken when performing this operation:
• Installing thermal couplings for checking the temperature of the pipe.
• Installing cryoseals (this prevents liquid nitrogen from leaking out).
• Installing the freeze chamber and tightening the bolts.
• Attaching the liquid nitrogen hose. After this, the freezing begins. The freezing time will depend on the size of the pipe. A four-inch pipe could take about thirty minutes to complete.
• Once the freeze is complete, an inspection will be conducted to ensure that the ice plug is solid.
• You can then make any repairs needed to the pipe.
• Once repairs have been completed, the freeze equipment will be removed.
• Now the ice in the pipe is allowed to thaw on its own.
Who Uses Pipe-freezing Services?
This kind of procedure is usually performed on the plumbing networks of various buildings and factories. So it’s clearly evident that this service is required by buildings or setups that have plumbing networks.
When Do You Need Pipeline Freezing?
This service comes in handy when dealing with various plumbing issues. If, for instance, you are dealing with a sewer network, draining it repeatedly isn’t exactly what you’d call environmentally friendly. It also comes in handy when dealing with defective pipes in factories. This method makes it easy for the engineers to fix the damage without having to shut down the entire system.
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What Pipe Materials Does This Technique Work On?
As you definitely know, not all pipes are made from the same material. That’s why it’s important for you to know well beforehand what kind of pipe you are dealing with. The most common types of pipes that this method has been used on include the following:
Nickel Alloy
This kind of tubing material has high resistance to corrosion and oxidation. It also has a high melting point. Nickel alloy is used a lot in nuclear plants, steam generators, and oil plants.
Carbon Steel
This is one of the most durable piping materials around. It is made from a steel alloy with carbon and iron. It is incredibly durable and can withstand an incredible amount of stress. This type of pipe is used a lot for heavy-duty stuff like equipment for chemical fertilizers, distillers, and ships.
Cunifer
This is an alloy made from nickel, copper, and iron. This material is resistant to seawater and corrosion. As a result, cunifer is used a lot on ships for extinguishing systems, piping systems, and water cooling systems.
Pipe Contents Matter
It is very important that you consider the contents of your plumbing network before moving forward with this procedure. Different contents will react differently to the freezing process. However, this technique will work well on paint, oil, alcohol, sewage, chemicals, food liquids, acid, and of course, water.
Why Should You Hire An Expert?
Liquid nitrogen is used for a lot of great stuff. However, it can get really ugly really fast if you don’t know how to handle it. That’s where a pipe freezing company comes in hiring a competent and reputable pipeline freezing company can make a huge difference.
Professionals know all the precautions to take during the procedure in order to ensure no one gets hurt. They also have experience dealing with different piping materials, making it easy for them to use the right techniques. A pipe-freezing service should also be able to tell you precisely how long the process will take.
Choosing A Pipeline Freeze Stopping Service
As said in the previous section, this is a job that requires professional handling. That is why it’s important to get a professional. If you hire an amateur, you could end up with low-quality results.
There are quite a few pipeline freezing services out there. As a result of this, the service providers can be very competitive with their prices. Price shouldn’t be the major factor when choosing a service provider. Instead, you should focus on their experience, work quality, and skill. If possible, try to read reviews from previous customers.
Conclusion
Overall, pipe-freezing is an efficient and environment-friendly method of stopping the flow of your plumbing network without having to drain the system. This comes in handy when fixing or replacing defective components of the system. In order to get the full benefits of this procedure, ensure that the company you hire is reputable and experienced in the job.
