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Induction Heating Technique for Cold Weather Pre-Heating and Post-Curing or Liquid Epoxy Coatings on Gas Pipeline Girth Welds

During the winter of 2013-2014, Northern California experienced unusually cold temperatures (below 40°F). These low temperatures delayed Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) coating operations on new pipelines. Since liquid epoxy coatings capable of being applied at, or which fully cure at, temperatures below 50°F were not approved, PG&E chose to control the environment using small enclosures over the application area. This approach proved to be expensive and time consuming, so a novel method of pipeline surface temperature control was necessary to allow application of liquid epoxies at low ambient temperatures. 

Product Number: 51216-022-SG
Author: Bruce Wiskel, J. Peter Ault
Publication Date: 2016
$0.00
$20.00
$20.00

During the winter of 2013-2014, Northern California experienced unusually cold temperatures (below 40°F). These low temperatures delayed Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) coating operations on new pipelines. Since liquid epoxy coatings capable of being applied at, or which fully cure at, temperatures below 50°F were not approved, PG&E chose to control the environment using small enclosures over the application area. This approach proved to be expensive and time consuming, so a novel method of pipeline surface temperature control was necessary to allow application of liquid epoxies at low ambient temperatures. In early 2014 the corrosion services group initiated a program to research and develop a permanent solution for cold weather coating application. Induction heating proved to be the most efficient and controlled way to heat the pipe substrate prior to coating application and also provided the added benefit of accelerating coating curing after application. Induction heat is well controlled and localized, allowing for the surrounding coating to remain undamaged. Laboratory studies and field testing showed the induction heating was capable of quickly raising and maintaining elevated surface temperature that improved cure time and overall working time on girth welds, thereby increasing quality and decreasing cost.

During the winter of 2013-2014, Northern California experienced unusually cold temperatures (below 40°F). These low temperatures delayed Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) coating operations on new pipelines. Since liquid epoxy coatings capable of being applied at, or which fully cure at, temperatures below 50°F were not approved, PG&E chose to control the environment using small enclosures over the application area. This approach proved to be expensive and time consuming, so a novel method of pipeline surface temperature control was necessary to allow application of liquid epoxies at low ambient temperatures. In early 2014 the corrosion services group initiated a program to research and develop a permanent solution for cold weather coating application. Induction heating proved to be the most efficient and controlled way to heat the pipe substrate prior to coating application and also provided the added benefit of accelerating coating curing after application. Induction heat is well controlled and localized, allowing for the surrounding coating to remain undamaged. Laboratory studies and field testing showed the induction heating was capable of quickly raising and maintaining elevated surface temperature that improved cure time and overall working time on girth welds, thereby increasing quality and decreasing cost.

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