Inflatable Pipe Purging System for 300ºC Pre- and Post-Weld Heating
Achieve continuous pipe weld purging during sustained heat treatments with HotPurge, developed by Huntingdon Fusion Techniques HFT. The system is available in 6” to 88” and can be used repeatedly.
Posted: March 20, 2020
Some high-strength steels need to be pre-heated prior to welding and may also require a post-weld heat-treatment. Both pre- and post- weld heat treatment is necessary to prevent cracking, but temperatures up to 300ºC (572ºF) must be maintained for lengthy periods. To prevent oxidation, the inside of piping needs to be purged continuously using a specialized pipe weld purging system.
HotPurge, developed by Huntingdon Fusion Techniques HFT (Burry Port, UK) is an inflatable pipe purging system for use with high strength steel pipe joints where pre-and post-weld heating temperatures might be as high as 300ºC (572ºF) for lengthy periods.
Manufactured in sizes 6” to 88” (150 to 2,235 mm), HotPurge systems can be used repeatedly for weld purging and can keep the oxygen levels below 100 parts per million (ppm) throughout the welding cycle, ensuring oxidation-free welds, without the metallurgical imperfections caused due to rapid heating and cooling.
“HotPurge allows the purge to be safely continued for up to 24 hours whilst pre-heating, welding and post weld heat-treating with the purge system remaining in place,” said Luke Keane, said HFT technical sales manager. “Furthermore, the addition of PurgeGate prevents the risk of dams bursting due to increased pressure.
“Along with all of our Inflatable Pipe Purging Systems,” he continued, “our HotPurge Systems are all manufactured in the UK, with scientific knowledge and research invested in each of our products. We do not save on quality. You can be sure to achieve perfect welds, time and time again.”
Once positioned in the pipe and inflated with an inert gas supply, the HotPurge System seals inside the pipe with inert gas supply displacing the oxygen from within the weld purging zone ready for pre-heating and welding. Each HotPurge System is manufactured with a Weld Purge Monitor connection for viewing the oxygen level throughout the welding process.
Each HotPurge System features PurgeGate, which prevents over inflation of and damage to the inflatable dams. The innovative HotPurge System also incorporates RootGlo, a central band for easy positioning inside the pipe, which will illuminate inside the dark pipe for up to 20 hours.
