Trenchless pin-brazing for buried pipework connections

Trenchless pin-brazing for buried pipework connectionsKeywords: BAC Corrosion Control,Pipelines

The latest innovation to come from the BAC Corrosion Control stable is the reach system, a technique of making sound retrofit electrical connections to buried pipelines sacrificial anode attachment anode without resort to a trench to gain access.

The Easybond reach system comprises a special pin-brazing gun with a purpose-designed brazing tool that attaches to a fully adjustable – up to 4.0 metres – hollow extension tube made of aluminium for lightness (see Plate 2). To reach the buried pipe, all that is said to be required is a core-drilled hole, say to 250mm diameter, down to the pipe where the connection pin needs to be brazed. The system even includes a device for local pipe coating removal and cleaning in the area to be bonded to ensure a good braze. Once the joint has been made, the anodes can be connected and dropped down the core hole prior to back-filling.

  Plate 2 The BAC Easybond Reach system has a special pin-brazing gun with a purpose-designed brazing tool that attaches to a fully adjustable - up to 4m - hollow extension tube. All operations are carried out above ground

Surface disruption is believed to be minimized and, in urban areas, a few cones around the areas being worked on is considered all that is necessary,rather than a one-way traffic system allowing trenches to be excavated.

As well as speed and minimal disruption, all operations are carried out above ground, which makes for safe process, as instead of the usual trigger mechanism on the brazing gun, the connection is effected from a switch on the battery unit. It is an all-weather process using an application tool weighing in at approximately 5kg.

Details available from: BAC Corrosion Control. Tel: +44 (0)1952 290321;E-mail: tonygerrard@bacgroup.com