TPT November 2014

Handl ing, bundl ing & logistics

Safety and efficiency during storage FOR over 20 years Dutch company Dhatec has been working on a research and development programme that keeps pipes in optimal condition during logistics of line pipes. Several solutions have emerged during the years to improve safety of the logistic process, including System88, Pipe Stop and Pipe Carrier Premium. reduced. Each pipe is blocked separately, and finite element analysis shows almost four times less displacement and almost two times less stress compared to a situation where pipes are supported by a (wooden) beam. Dhatec started to extend its logistic programme with Pipe Stop, in 2009, for storing pipes in the range of 8" to 150", and its latest development, the Pipe Carrier Premium (2013), suitable for both transport and storage of small diameter pipes between 4" and 20".

During an extensive testing phase of multiple years, the advantages were proven in practice. Collision tests between train wagons showed that the frictional resistance of the blocks is satisfactory. Tensile tests on the block proved the quality and strength of the PE compound material, which is guaranteed for five years. Coated pipes with a temperature of 80°C were loaded on System88 to prove that the blocks would not damage the freshly coated surface. Finally, train wagons were loaded with System88 for a durational

The systems are based on the same quality standards and share the following advantages with System88: reliable transport and/or storage system; adjustable to a range of sizes; each pipe is stably nested, with sideways support; safe for pipe and coating; reusable and highly durable; and weather proof. Dhatec Line pipe Logistic Solutions – Netherlands

Dhatec has studied the supply chain of pipelines in detail. During each step in this logistic trail there is a risk of damage to both the pipe and its coating layer. Dhatec isolated dangerous situations during transport and storage, and this resulted in the creation of solutions that safeguard the quality of the pipe and improve the process in terms of efficiency and safety. After establishing itself in the oil and gas industry with pipe-end protection, Dhatec started in 2002 with the development of a safe and efficient transport system as an alternative to traditional wooden supports. The patented design of the adjustable transport system is claimed to eliminate the disadvantages of other support systems. System88 consists of a zinc plated steel profile on which LDPE blocks can be positioned that are secured with locking pins. Due to the wedge-shaped blocks, pipes are supported sideways, and risks for deformation of the pipe are

Email: info@dhatec.nl Website: www.dhatec.nl Safe storage and transport for small diameter pipes with Pipe Carrier Premium

test of the system in practice. As a result the system was approved by TÜV Nord in 2005. Since 2005 System88 has been implemented in the pipeline industry, and over 10,000 trains and trucks have been equipped with the adjustable transport system. Every five years the tests are repeated to guarantee safety during long-term use.

Pipe handling system VACUWORX, a manufacturer of vacuum lifting technology and heavy-duty material handling equipment, has launched a lightweight pipe handling system to lift and position drill stem in horizontal and directional drilling operations. durable, to meet the rigorous demands of contractors or municipalities looking for ways to decrease load times and bolster safety during the course of trenchless HDD applications. The equipment features a 360º hydraulic rotator that gives operators complete control over drill stem and allows for the precise placement of pipe joints with fewer workers on the ground.

The MC Series lifter is powered by a self-contained engine and includes audible and visible alarms, adding an additional layer of safety and performance in the field. The HDD Pipe Handling System’s integrated safety control valve also ensures pipe is never dropped. All Vacuworx lifting systems are CE certified, OSHA compliant and manufactured to meet or exceed ASME/ ANSI safety standards. With a growing base of distribution points in the USA, Canada, Latin America, Australia, Europe and Africa, Vacuworx offers on-site maintenance and repairs, and stocks a full line of parts available for shipping 365 days a year.

The HDD Pipe Handling System utilises wireless remote controller operation and the latest vacuum-lifting technology to tilt and place drill stem at angles between 0° and 30° without the use of ropes or slings. Suitable for use with Vacuworx MC Series lifters, the HDD unit is claimed to be significantly lighter in weight than competing technologies and requires only one worker to lift drill stem and transfer the pipe into a drilling rig, reducing exposure to risk of injury in a pipe yard or on a job-site. The unit is compact yet highly

The HDD Pipe Handling System handles single joints of steel pipe from 76 to 457mm (3" to 18") in diameter, with lift capacities ranging from 771 to 2,449kg (1,700 to 5,400lb), depending on the size and configuration of vacuum pads. The HDD unit is suitable for smaller excavators and host equipment such as forklifts, cranes, wheel loaders and boom trucks.

Vacuworx – USA Website: www.vacuworx.com

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N ovember 2014