Pressurized hole opening – Non-stop pressurized hole opening technology. I. Scope of application: The non-stop pressurized hole opening process allows for the creation of bypass routes or for venting of the pipeline, all while keeping the pipeline in operation without interrupting the flow of the medium or reducing pressure. It is also possible to remove residual liquid from natural gas pipelines without interrupting the flow; the entire process of making openings is carried out without disrupting supply, resulting in short processing time and high safety and reliability. The hole-making machine is a key piece of equipment used in this type of construction; it is responsible for cutting out the necessary holes in the materials. Four common models are currently recommended. The AOX-100S-40 model is manual (used only for creating bypass holes), while the AOX-200D-40, AOX-350D-40, and AOX-600D-40 models are either hydraulically or electrically driven (the type of drive depends on the construction conditions). Their performance parameters can be found in the table at http://www.kaikong.net/uploadfile/image/2009031806130347.bmp: AOX-100S-40, AOX-200D-40, AOX-350D-40, AOX-600D-40. Table 1: Recommended Models. Recommended equipment models: AOX-100S-40, AOX-200D-40, AOX-350D-40, AOX-600D-40. Hole-making range (in mm): For bypass holes, it ranges from Φ25 to Φ159; for other purposes, it ranges from Φ89 to Φ219, Φ219 to Φ377, and Φ377 to Φ800. For opening plugs, the range is from Φ25 to Φ114, Φ89 to Φ159, Φ114 to Φ355, and Φ273 to Φ720. Table 2: Auxiliary Accessories. http://www.kaikong.net/uploadfile/image/2009031806155259.bmp: Hole-making machine connectors, hole-making machine tools. II. Construction process for bypass holes: 1. Manual method: This is a manual hole-making service provided by our company for small bypass holes (with a diameter of less than Φ219 mm). It is mainly used for creating bypass branches, but it can also be employed for changing processes, removing impurities from pipelines, and draining pipes. Low cost, high efficiency. For connecting new pipelines without shutting down production, the process is as follows: 1. Weld the flange stubs – Determine the location where holes need to be made, remove the anti-corrosion coating from the main pipe, cut flange stubs that are vertical and radially parallel to each other, and weld them onto the main pipe. Since this process does not involve direct contact with the medium inside the pipe, it eliminates safety risks. It is sufficient to maintain a stable positive pressure within the pipe, and welders with appropriate skills for welding under pressure can carry out the task successfully, as shown in (Figure 1). http://www.kaikong.net/uploadfile/image/2009031806170040.bmp2. Install the orifice valve: attach the sealing gasket of the orifice valve to the flange and tighten it; fully open the gate, and ensure that there are no obstructions inside the valve cavity before proceeding to the next step. 3. Opening and connection: After assembling the cutting tool, the connecting box, and the opening device properly, connect them firmly to the opening valve and conduct a pressure test to ensure that there are no leaks at any of the connections. Once the pipe wall has been cut through, turn the wrench in the opposite direction to lift the cutting tool and the saddle block back into the connecting box, close the valve, remove the opening device, and the opening operation is complete. At this point, the newly added pipelines and valves can be secured using flanges; once the valves are opened, operation can begin. The company also offers a valve-free bypass connection method, eliminating the need to retain valves after the operation. Before making the cut, connect the bypass pipeline in place. As the opening is made, the medium can flow through. See (Figure 2). http://www.kaikong.net/uploadfile/image/2009031806174584.bmp 2. Automatic: This process is mainly used in construction tasks where the diameter of the opening is above Φ 219 mm; the hydraulic station or motor provides the power needed to create such openings. 1. Preparations before construction Based on the diameter of the main pipeline, the size of the bypass holes to be created, as well as the operating data of the pipeline, select the appropriate primary and auxiliary equipment, and check to confirm that they are in good working condition; this is similar to the manual construction process. 2. Welding of flange stubs: Identify the locations where holes need to be made in the pipeline, remove the anti-corrosion coating, and attach the pre-made flange stubs tightly to the outer surface of the main pipe. Adjust the end faces of the flanges so that their center lines are perpendicular to the axis of the main pipe. Once adjusted, weld them completely to the main pipe; the welding requirements are the same as those for manual welding. 3. Install the opening valve: After welding the flange sections together, install the valve on the flange, secure it with gaskets, open the gate, check whether there are any obstructions inside the valve chamber, and confirm that the opening tool can pass through smoothly. 4. Opening creation: Assemble the opening machine with the box assembly, and connect it firmly to the valve. Gas is introduced through the pressure relief port of the box to conduct a pressure test, in order to check whether the welds are airtight; if there is any leakage, repairs can be carried out ; If everything is in order, connect the hole-making machine to the hydraulic station using high-pressure hoses, conduct a no-load test run, adjust the speed according to the diameter of the bypass holes to be created, and then proceed with the hole-making operation, as shown in the diagram. 5. Jointing operation: After the cutting tool penetrates the pipe wall, turn off the hydraulic station, manually lift the tool into the joint box while removing the cut saddle piece. Close the valves to release the fluid from within the joint box, confirm that there is no leakage, then remove the hole-making machine, and the jointing operation of the bypass pipeline can be carried out. http://www.kaikong.net/uploadfile/image/2009031806184053.bmp Continuous non-stop hole plugging process I. Scope of application: This process is mainly used for the maintenance and replacement of pipelines under pressure, as well as the renovation of stations along the pipeline route. Compared to older renovation methods, it features shorter processing time, lower costs, higher efficiency, and a greater safety factor; these advantages are even more pronounced when used in outdoor construction. II. Equipment Overview: Pressure-sealing of pipelines without interrupting flow is achieved by assembling clamp valves, sealers, sealing junction boxes, and expansion tanks according to the required specifications. Various parameters are measured and calculated when the seal is in place (see Table 2), thereby enabling pressure-sealing of the pipeline without disrupting flow. Two commonly used plugging devices are recommended; see Table 2: http://www.kaikong.net/uploadfile/image/2009031806271410.bmp. III. Process flow: Plugging and tapping processes without interrupting pipeline service. 1. Pre-construction preparations: (1) Conduct on-site surveys of the terrain at both ends of the pipeline to be worked on, and analyze the technical data provided by the client regarding the pipeline (including diameter, pressure, material type, wall thickness, medium, and temperature). (2) Inspect the corrosion condition of the pipelines at the locations where the openings at both ends are sealed; select a suitable area with its surface anti-corrosion coating removed to be used as the welding point. (3) Leave sufficient space in the work pit to ensure the safety of welders and to facilitate construction. 2. Welding spherical pipe fittings (1) Before welding, first check the geometric dimensions of all parts of the spherical pipe fitting to ensure they match those of the main pipe, and verify that the welds on the fitting itself meet the required standards. (2) The spherical pipe fittings are divided into upper and lower parts, which are welded to the main pipeline respectively. During assembly, it is required that the fittings be coaxial with the main pipe, the flange surface of the plug be parallel to the axis of the main pipe, and the center line of the flange be perpendicular to the main pipe; the welding of the fittings shall be carried out in accordance with standards. 3. Pipe opening cutting: (1) After welding the spherical fittings at both ends is complete, install a clamp valve that meets the specified requirements on the spherical fitting at the inlet side, secure it with sealing gaskets, open the gate, remove any debris from the inside, and then attach an opening machine to the clamp valve, securing it as well with sealing gaskets. (2) Before making the openings, conduct strict pressure testing on the spherical pipe fittings; only after there is no leakage can the next step be carried out. (3) Based on the pipeline material and diameter, select the cutting speed to perform hole-cutting and severing operations on the pipeline. (4) During the hole-opening process, assemble and weld the temporary bypass, and place it in position. (5) After the pipeline is cut by making an opening, retract the cutting tool (while also removing the cut piece of pipe), close the clamp valve to release the pressure of the fluid inside the junction box, remove the opening machine, and move it to the other end for making an opening and performing the same cutting operation, thereby completing the cutting of the pipeline. Dismantle the drilling rig in preparation for plugging operations. 4. Pipeline plugging without interrupting flow: (1) Select and assemble the plug, the connecting box, and the expansion tank according to the required specifications; simultaneously measure and calculate various parameters when the plug is in place, in order to determine the direction of the bypass holes. (2) Install the assembled plug on the shafts of the clamp valves at both ends of the pipeline, ensuring that the bypass holes of the connecting box point in the same direction and are perpendicular to the axis of the bypass pipes, so as to enable connection with those pipes. (3) Examine the pipe sections taken out after making the openings, analyzing their shape, cutting patterns, surface irregularities, and degree of deformation, in order to determine the percentage of rubber compression in the expansion tank and to prepare for backfilling. (4) Securely connect the temporary bypass to the bypass holes of the end plugs using sealing gaskets, in order to determine the operating direction of the expansion tank. (5) Before carrying out the plugging operation, it is necessary to confirm that the plugging direction is correct, and plugging may only be carried out with the approval of Party A. (6) After sealing both ends, an exhaust hole is created to vent the medium inside the pipeline, while simultaneously verifying the tightness of the seals. (7) If the sealing is not tight, check all the relevant data again, identify the cause, and seal it once more. Pipeline cutting work can only be carried out after it is confirmed that the sealing is proper. Under stable medium pressure conditions, leak-free operation for 3 days was achieved. (8) When cutting pipelines, if gas welding is used, the distance from the sealed area should be at least 1.5 meters. It is recommended to use a non-flame cutting tool for cutting the pipelines, in order to avoid any damage to the expansion tank or the rubber coating on its surface that could result from flame cutting. (9) When welding a new pipeline, clean the residues around the cut area to ensure there are no flammable materials present, after which the welding of the new pipe segment can be carried out on the pipeline. (10) Use the clamp valve pressure balancer to fill and pressurize the newly welded pipe section. Once the operating pressure is reached, loosen the expansion tank and lift it into the junction box; close the clamp valve and the temporary bypass valve, drain the fluid from the junction box and the bypass, disconnect the bypass, and remove the end plugs – thus completing the plugging operation without interrupting flow. Backfilling Process I. Applicability: The backfilling process developed by Aoxin Special Pipe Engineering Company is a construction technique that we have created on the basis of our hole-opening and sealing processes. It has no precedents in domestic pipe construction; it involves backfilling the cut-off pipe sections into the pipeline after hole-opening and sealing operations, thereby ensuring that the pipeline can be cleaned thoroughly using balls or other cleaning tools. II. Process flow: (1) Check the condition of the plug plates; replace them if there are any issues. Then, carry out necessary processing on the cut pipe segments, and calculate the dimensions required for their proper reinstallation, so that the deviation in height and concentricity with the original pipeline does not exceed 2–3 mm. Fix it to the plug plate, adjust the angle properly, and place them together inside the plug device housing. (2) Install the plugger on the closed valve, open the gate of the clamp valve to carry out the plugging and backfilling operation. (3) After the plugging and backfilling operation is completed, disconnect the connector, retract the plugging rod, open the pressure relief valve of the connection box to drain the medium, and check the tightness of the plug until no leakage of medium occurs. (4) Remove the plug and clamp valve, install a blind flange, and the entire non-stop operation is completed. (5) Once the pipeline operation is back to normal and the ball-shaped fittings remain permanently in place in the pipeline, ball cleaning operations can be carried out. Flow blockage operation flowchart: (1) Weld the fittings under pressure at both ends of the pipe section to be repaired or replaced. http://www.kaikong.net/uploadfile/image/2009031806291656.bmphttp://www.kaikong.net/uploadfile/image/2009031806324033.bmp
Hole plugging technology: http://www.jinshiwan.com/images/main_13.jpg Pressurized pipeline plugging technology is a specialized, safe, economical, fast, and efficient method for the maintenance and repair of pipelines that are still in use. It enables the replacement, relocation, valve swapping, and addition of branches to pipelines without interrupting the flow of media within them. It can also carry out rapid and safe repairs to pipelines that have leaked, thereby restoring their operation. For the emergency repair of pipeline accidents, traditional approaches required shutting down the flow of fluid, emptying the pipeline, or implementing temporary remedial measures, which posed significant risks to the safe operation of the pipeline. In China, the pipeline non-stop plugging service has, by building on foreign technologies and through scientific research efforts, achieved independent innovation in various technical processes. The plugging equipment has become increasingly sophisticated, with continuous improvements in plugging capacity, specifications, and types. The scope of this service is also expanding; it can handle pipes with diameters ranging from 25 millimeters to 1020 millimeters, and the plugging pressure can reach up to 10 megapascals. The pressure-sealing technology without interrupting flow is safe and reliable, and causes no pollution. It does not affect the normal operation of the pipeline, while ensuring that the connection between old and new pipelines is carried out in a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly manner. The pressure-sealing technology without interrupting flow is applicable to media such as oil, natural gas, water, ethylene, gas, medium-quality oil, aviation fuel, and other media that do not exhibit strong corrosiveness.