If a section of your pipe requires repairs, it can prove to be a complex process. Firstly, you need to seal off the entire system to fix a particular part. As a result, a significant amount of time is wasted.
Wouldn’t it be easier if there was a process that could isolate the part that requires maintenance? Fortunately, due to the rising applications of cryogenics, there is!
Employing pipe freezing from a trusted servicing company is the answer! But what does this process involve?
Understanding Pipe Freezing
Cryogenics is a branch of physics that deals with low temperatures. From producing low temperatures to maintaining it, this study covers everything.
Pipe freezing works on the principle of cryogenics. It is a process of providing pipeline isolation with the use of liquid nitrogen. What’s more, the process is completely non-intrusive and controlled in nature!
The freezing process starts by drawing out the heat within the pipe from the product. The heat is drawn out until the pipe reaches a temperature lower than its freezing point. Eventually, the product freezes to make an internal ice plug.
Once this freezing is achieved, the plug can withstand high differential pressures. As a result, you can conduct repairs without affecting the entire system.
Why is Liquid Nitrogen Used?
Liquid nitrogen is inert, colorless, odorless, and extremely cold. It stays at a temperature of -195.8 degrees Celsius. Exposure to this element’s vapors without any protective gear can cause significant burns.
For cryogenic processes, liquid nitrogen plays a vital role. It causes an irreversible breakdown of cells by thermal damage.
It also helps provide a low-temperature environment and remove reacting heat. As a result, it can also be used for freezing food and biotechnology products.
Why Choose Pipe Freezing?
Due to the total control this process provides, it is being widely used in factories. Draining the liquids wastes significant time and money. As a result, it is a more feasible alternative. In addition, the process offers a host of benefits.
- You do not need to arrange for the bulk transfer or storage of liquids.
- It can prevent any loss from expensive liquids like treated water or system inhibitors.
- Hazardous materials do not need to be handled manually.
- It promotes safety while working with contaminated or volatile liquids.
- It is performed using liquid nitrogen, preventing any pollution
In addition, no other welding or setup costs occur while installing pipe freeze plugs. Moreover, you can plan the process. This is because you can predict the freeze time based on pipe size, system conditions, and ambient temperature.
Ultimately, you can efficiently plan out the process. Planning out helps in carefully diverting resources and time.
Industries Utilising the Process
Pipe freezing is utilized by numerous industries to carry out pipe maintenance periodically. Even though it costs relatively more, it saves money in the long run as the system gets less interrupted. Some of the industries where it is used are list below.
- Refineries
- Petrochemical Plants
- Transmission Pipelines
- Power Generation
- Conventional & Nuclear
- Fire Protection Systems
- Hotels & Apartment Complexes
- Office Buildings
Summing Up
The efficiency of the pipe freezing process is still in its early stages. As cryogenic services become more available, they will undoubtedly gain popularity among industry personnel.
Meanwhile, make sure to contact a professional for all your cryogenic needs!
Published By : Way To Home
