Line Freezing & Pipe Freeze Plugging Services

Furmanite’s Line Freezing & Pipe Freeze Plugging Services – Keeping Critical Pipe Systems Online and Preventing Unwanted Shutdowns…

For over 80 years, Furmanite has made it our business to keep critical pipe systems online and prevent unwanted shutdowns. As part of this commitment, we are proud to offer Pipe Freeze Plugging also known as Pipe Freeze Stopping. Freeze Plugs are an alternative option to our Line Stopping services and are designed to effectively isolate sections of pipe where valves are unavailable or inoperable. Through a combination of Furmanite’s Hot Tapping , Line Stopping, and Pipe Freeze Plugging services you can be assured that your pipe systems will stay in service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Put us to the test and you will see why at Furmanite, “We work best – Under Pressure”.

Pipe Freezing Technology

An effective means of system isolation, freeze plugs are developed within the pipe system through the application of CO2 or liquid nitrogen. The cryogenic process begins with heat being drawn from the product inside the pipe until it reaches a temperature below its freeze point. Once an established freeze plug is formed, the Furmanite technicians will monitor the flow of liquid nitrogen to maintain the proper sized plug based on known system parameters.

In order to establish an effective freeze plug, it is critical that the system has no flow and the freeze plug must be an established distance from any flowing pipe branches or headers. In the event that systems can not be blocked in or flow must be maintained, consider Furmanite Line Stop Services as a safe and effective alternative.

How it works

Pipe freezing involves the use of liquid nitrogen in the controlled formation of a solid ice plug inside the pipeline using specialist equipment and techniques. Once formed, the plug is able to withstand very high differential pressures and provide reliable and effective isolation of the line while modifications or repairs are carried out.

Pipe Freezing Services can be used to perform any of the following routine system modifications

• Valve Installations
• Pipe Section Replacement
• Equipment Isolation
• Pipe Branch Terminations
• Pipe Relocations

Pipe Freezing is suitable for use on a wide variety of pipe materials and contents, including:

Typical pipe materials:

• Carbon Steel
• Nickel Alloy
• Copper-based Alloys
• Kunifer
• Aluminium Alloys
• Stainless Steel

Subject to certain qualifications, coated and lined pipes can also be frozen.

Typical pipe contents:

• Water
• Acids
• Coolants
• Paints
• Alcohols
• Oils
• Liquid Food Products
• Various Chemicals