Continual maintenance of oil and gas pipelines is critical to avoid build-up of solids that cause flow decrease or even plugging, which can result in corrosion of flaws in the line and cause catastrophic failure.
Bandlock™2 Quick Opening Closures from GD Engineering are available in diameters of 90 inches and above, offering the potential to realise significant project savings in engineering time and cost by reducing the number of pressure vessels and associated pipework required for any application.
These large diameter closures are particularly suited to black powder filtration and pigging operations.
Black powder – the term used for various iron sulphides mixed with contaminants – can collect in both wet and dry gas pipelines leading to flow loss and premature failure of compressor instruments and other equipment. The volume of black powder in some systems can overwhelm compressor equipment filters, requiring frequent filter change out and complicated disposal. This equates to increased maintenance costs and decreased productivity.
The most common way of dealing with black powder is to filter it immediately before it enters a compressor station or processing plant. Filters are usually specified and supplied as a part of the compressor design package when the unit or piping is installed. For optimum efficiency, frequent access to the filtration vessels, pig launcher, and receiver vessels is required.
Carla Connolly, global product management director at GD Engineering, explains: “The removal of black powder is extremely challenging and the change-out of filter elements can be frequent. Filtration companies work tirelessly to develop technology to reduce filtration costs and to ensure the efficient separation of solids and liquids, but safe and rapid access is key in optimising operational efficiency. This is where our expertise can add real value.”
Pressure vessel access solutions to support black powder filtration and pigging operations
