Hot Tapping Installation of a Tee on a Live Flare Line
Overview
IC Integrity were engaged to install a tee on a live flare line on a Ammonia processing plant in Western Australia.
The client was seeking an alternative means to finish the work promptly that would not involve:
- hot work (including welding)
- a major plant shutdown
- a large number of technicians on site
Scope
The project had the following specifications:
| Structure | 150NB flare line |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Design Pressure | 500kPa |
| Fluid Service | Ammonia |
| Design Temperature | -30oC to 65oC |
| Application Temperature | 35oC |
| Line Status | Operating |
Solution
- Install a single piece tee clamp (bolted) and valve over the existing line and pressure test it to ensure seal integrity
- Hot tap through the line with an encapsulated drilling machine to safely maintain the isolation between personnel and process fluid
Benefits
- No production downtime, and project was completed safely and on time
- There was no requirement for hot work at any stage, the entire operation was completed under a cold work permit
- The hot tapping procedure allowed the integrity attached clamp and fitting to be pressure tested in isolation to the rest of the line
- The entire scope was completed in less than 1½ days, including mobilisation of personnel from Perth
