TPT September 2019

T E CHNOLOG Y

Purging systems for large diameter pipes PURGING large diameter pipework ready for welding can be expensive. Without restricting the volume, there is a high cost involved in inert gas used and time spent waiting for the oxygen level to reach a level low enough for welding to begin. Using IntaCal ® combined with the integrated PurgeGate ® device makes it possible to safely inflate the dams with argon gas, for purging the space between the dams where the weld joint is located.

With PurgeGate, burst dams are prevented in the event of undue pressure increase or accidental flow increase of the purging gas. All systems are manufactured as standard with a hose for connecting a Weld Purge Monitor ® , which can read oxygen levels down to as low as 10 ppm depending on the model. Materials used in the manufacture of QuickPurge are resistant to the higher weld temperatures present, and they do not outgas. For pre-heated chrome steel and high-strength stainless steel pipe joints, HFT designs and manufactures the HotPurge ® range for a higher and longer temperature exposure. Huntingdon Fusion Techniques – UK Email: support@huntingdonfusion.com Website: www.huntingdonfusion.com

Weld purging expert Huntingdon Fusion Techniques (HFT) has designed and developed QuickPurge ® systems to reduce the space that needs to be purged, for pipes as large as 2,235mm (88"). HFT was recently tasked with a special project in the USA, where pipes with 90° elbows, up to 1,371mm Ø (54"), needed to be purged. Georgia Gascoyne, CEO at HFT, commented, “We manufactured QuickPurge systems with longer sleeves so that they could easily be pulled around the sharp bends in the pipework. The welders were previously spending half a day purging the pipe, which was costing a considerable amount in time and gas costs. With the help of QuickPurge the pipe was purged

down to 100 ppm ready for welding in just 55 minutes. The dramatic savings in time and argon paid for the system in just one weld.” QuickPurge has an additional gas input line, allowing extra purge gas to be introduced for applications such as this, thereby achieving a faster purge down to the lowest oxygen levels, for larger diameter pipes where quality welds are required. HFT’s design of the QuickPurge system means that zero-colour welds can be achieved, with no loss of corrosion resistance caused by oxidation.

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SEPTEMBER 2019