TPi March 2019

Products & developments

Products & developments

Pipe freezing system for emergency repairs Repairs or modifications on pipes can pose challenges, especially where there is liquid present inside, which may result in the expense and danger of system downtime and loss of revenue while the system is drained and refilled. To reduce these costs and speed up the repair or replacement, Qwik-Freezer™ is available from the Pipestoppers ® division of Huntingdon Fusion Techniques (HFT). Ron Sewell, chairman of HFT, said, “Qwik-Freezer is quick and easy to use, requires little set-up time and is the only CO 2 pipe freezing system capable of freezing up to 8" pipe. Even for smaller diameter freezes, Qwik-Freezer produces ice plugs that are significantly more reliable and robust, capable of withstanding far more pressure than the smaller freeze plugs that other types of systems will produce.” HFT says that many plumbing and maintenance companies are already switching to its pipe freezing systems due to the cost savings attached to the avoidance of draining pipes and systems, and the time saving for repairs. create a pressure-bearing freeze plug regardless of the pipe diameter.

The company’s US partner, COB Industries, stated, “When a sprinkler head has to be repaired or replaced in a large system, there are many issues that can arise. Draining large fire systems can create problems with disposal of all the water, more so when it is treated chemically with rust inhibitors and/or antifreeze. Environmental concerns prevent disposal of this water in a normal drainage system, even if it is possible to access one. “Another issue with draining large systems is trapped air creating an air block in the lines. If there is no way to bleed the air from the system as it fills, entire sections can remain empty and unusable. The ease of use makes the Qwik-Freezer system very popular for diameters up to 4", even though it is capable of freezing up to 8".” Huntingdon Fusion Techniques – UK pipefreezing@huntingdonfusion.com www.huntingdonfusion.com

A specially designed flexible jacket is wrapped around the pipe at the point or points where the freeze is required. is injected into the space between the jacket and the pipe, at a temperature of -78°C, the pipe contents freeze and a secure ‘ice plug’ is formed, which seals the pipe. The ice plug forms only in the section of the pipe covered by the jacket, so the resulting rise in pressure is small and there is no damage to the pipe. The technique can be used safely on iron, lead, stainless steel, copper, brass and plastic pipe. Larger pipe diameters, and the use of antifreeze, rust inhibitors and liquids that cannot be frozen with CO 2 temperatures, can create freeze points that require the liquid nitrogen (LN 2 ) temperatures of the Accu-Freeze™ system in order to When the CO 2

Starting up the Qwik-Freezer system

Qwik-Freezer can create ice plugs in pipes of up to 8" in diameter

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TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL March 2019

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