Linc Energy Blog

Have a clogged sewer line? Do you need to clear your sewer pipe? Consider calling your local gas company to know what’s blocking your line before you clear it.

Tags: clogged sewer line, smell natural gas, gas leak, gas explosion

With the recent rash of natural gas pipeline explosions, many caused by pipeline corrosion, there is a watchful eye on how owners are handling the maintenance and repair of their pipelines. To some companies the problems may seem bigger than life as there are millions of miles of aging natural gas pipelines in the United States alone. Pipeline owners are being forced to take a proactive stance to this problem by identifying areas of their lines which are in need of repair, remediation or restoration.

A product called A+ Wrap manufactured by Pipe Wrap LLC has been identified as an effective method to extend the life of high pressure natural gas pipelines. The product has been tested, approved and meets D.O.T. requirements as a permanent pipeline repair. The repair solution is a strong composite sleeving system which permanently repairs gouges, cracks, dents as well as external defects associated with pipe that has been compromised as much as 80 %. The A+ Wrap system is composed of a two-part putty which is activated when mixed together, along with a composite wrap; it is pliable, water activated and restores pipe to its full-strength condition.

A+ Wrap repairs defects near welded areas (up to 50% wall loss) or along any shapes or configurations including reducers, bends, tees, manifolds or elbows. However, it does not repair cracks, gouges or dents in longitudinal or girth welds.

A+ Wrap requires no special tools for installation and can be installed on wet or dry surfaces or even submerged in water. The product however, can only be installed by trained personnel with factory or representative certification. The manufacturer also requires the installer be recertified annually. In Colorado and the Rocky Mountain States, Linc Energy Systems is a certified trainer.

As with other water-activated composite sleeving systems, A+ Wrap has a smart pig detect-ability element without the drawback of creating cathodic reactions.

Pipe Wrap's A+ Wrap has been identified as an effective alternative to sleeves, welding or complete pipe replacement. With the ever increasing amount of deteriorating pipeline in the United States, I’m sure we’ll hear more about the use of Pipe Wrap to repair or restore our aging pipelines.

For other helpful ideas on this issue, visit Effective corrosion prevention methods for pipelines. 

Tags: pipeline restoration, pipe remediation, pipe repair, pipeline corrosion, gas explosion, corrosion control, gas pipline explosion, damage prevention, corrosion prevention

It is no secret that the effectiveness of your cathodic protection system depends on the experience of the installer and the quality of raw materials put into the pipeline. Many CP professionals often wonder about the pros and cons of using insulating flange kits over monolithic isolation joints.

The monolithic insulating joint was developed as an alternative to insulating flange kits. It has been widely used in Middle Eastern and European countries in the Oil & Gas Industry. While they have been used in the United States, their benefits have been overshadowed by long lead times from European manufacturers.

Now with the expansion of a United States insulating joint manufacturer, I wonder if the use of insulating joints will give insulating flange kits a run for its money.

What are the pros and cons of using monolithic insulating joints versus insulating flange kits?
 

Disadvantages of insultating joints

The primary disadvantage of using monolithic insulating joints in U.S. pipelines has been the long lead times from European manufacturers. While some U.S. distributors have tried to appease the availability issue it has become a challenge for contractors to work with staggering lead times when inventory has been depleted.

The often perceived secondary disadvantage is the upfront expense of an insulating joint which can be twice the cost of an insulating flange kit.

Advantages of Monollithic Isolation

Barlow Insulating Joints  ~ Now offering stock availability in most sizes

Insulating joints come preassembled and pretested versus the traditional insulating flange kit, which requires a skilled technician to assemble it on site. By using the Insulating joint the company saves on site labor. The joints are also less likely to fail from improper installation which could render a CP system ineffective and likely result in both internal and external corrosion.

With an insulating joint, serviceability and maintenance is simplified. Whereas, when using an insulating flange kit the system may become shorted when buried (from settling, thermal expansion or over-tightening). In this case, the cost to repair a damaged or leaking system significantly exceeds the initial investment of an insulating joint. It is also more likely that the pipeline would have to be shut down if maintenance or replacement is required.

When evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of using insulated flange kits versus monolithic insulating joints it would seem that when life cycle costs are considered, the use of monolithic insulting joints is advantageous over the flange kits.

New U.S. Insulating Joint Manufacturer

With the recent rash of gas pipeline explosions, of which many believe are corrosion-related, the spotlight is on gas pipelines to increase safety and quality of pipeline materials and testing. The expansion of Barlow Insulating Joints, a U.S. manufacturer seems timely. Barlow apparently is not new to the industry, and has manufactured insulating joints for over 50 years serving the east coast. The company was acquired by IMAC Systems a couple years back who has decided to expand the Barlow line to the west coast.

Perhaps the availability of U.S. monolithic insulating joints will impact the way U.S. pipelines choose their insulating methods.
 

Tags: CP, corrosion control, gas explosion, monolithic, insulating joints, isolation, cathodic protection

In a recent report by Fox News, a member of the Pipeline Safety Trust referred to our natural gas pipelines as a “ticking time bomb.” It would seem an alarming safety issue appears to threaten the mainland US. According to Fox News, the National Transportation Safety Board is holding hearings this week to gather supplementary information regarding the San Bruno natural gas explosion. Apparently, they’re seeking information that could help avert future accidents.

In the report, "Aging Natural Gas Pipelines Are Ticking Time Bombs, Say Watchdogs" it was noted:

• Fourteen people have been killed in gas pipeline explosions in six months
• Since 1990 there have been “2800 significant gas pipeline accidents”
• Over 900 incidents have led to significant injuries or death
• There are 210 natural gas pipeline systems
• 21,000 miles of lines running through populated areas

Rick Kessler of Pipeline Safety Trust says, "Cast iron pipe will fail and the law always envisioned that these things would be replaced over time. Well, here we are more than a century later and we still have these things in the ground… they are kind of a ticking time bomb."

By law, pipelines are required to conduct leak surveys which are one of the most effective ways to monitor pipeline integrity. Which pipelines are surveyed and when depends on many factors, like the age of the pipeline, its composition, the condition, the geography, the road, and of course population. Gas leak surveys are conducted by trained technicians using gas leak detection equipment.

With the Obama administration new regulations are on the horizon, which will increase the number of pipeline inspectors and provide more stringent leak detection measures. New regulations and proactive meetings can influence change to increase the safety of our gas lines. These are certainly moves in the right direction.

In the interim, as more incidents emerge, people are rightfully on edge. It is noted in the news report if you have questions or concerns about gas lines in your neighborhood call the pipeline. In an earlier entry, “Natural gas leak detection and what to do” I discuss what to do if you smell natural gas.

 

Photo Credit: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39089768

Tags: gas explosion, gas pipline explosion, damage prevention, gas leak surveys

Five people died from the Allentown PA gas explosion.

Earlier this week it was reported that the safety of the cast iron main is under scrutiny for being the cause of the Allentown explosion which killed five people on February 10.

Reports are suggesting that the cause of the explosion is likely from a natural gas leak originating from a cracked cast iron main. Cast iron is subject to corrosion and decay and is rarely used in today’s natural gas pipeline construction. The 83-year old pipeline is badly in need replacement. While today most pipelines are made of plastic (polyethylene), there are 63,000 miles of cast iron pipe that run across Pennsylvania alone. U.S. Senator Bob Casey (PA) instructed UGI Utilities and other natural gas companies to replace their outdated cast iron network.

In my earlier posting, Natural gas fireball in Philadelphia - where next? I reported how reminiscent the January 18 Philadelphia explosion was to the San Bruno incident. I didn’t realize it’d be only days away from the next explosion. In fact we seem to have had our share of incidents lately,

 

• January 18, 2011 - A gas main being repaired in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania explodes, killing a repair crew member and injuring 6 others.
• January 24, 2011 - Gas pressure regulators failed and caused a gas pressure surge in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, igniting fires burning several homes and one apartment, damaging 45 furnaces, 10 boilers, 19 water heaters, and 10 other gas appliances. 
• February 10, 2011 - 5 people killed and 8 homes destroyed in a gas explosion and fire in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
• February 10, 2011 - a 36 inch gas transmission pipeline explodes near Lisbon, Ohio.

It’s unfortunate that it takes accidents like these to bring to light the aging network of pipelines which are not just limited to San Bruno and Pennsylvania, but are nationwide. It is time that we become more proactive and advocate safety and damage prevention of our gas pipelines.
 

 

Tags: gas explosion, cast iron pipe, natural gas, gas leak