Using Epoxy Adhesives in place of Hot Metal Welding

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This presentation looks at the options available to the offshore fabric maintenance engineer when it is not possible or preferable to weld and discusses viable solutions using bonding or cold-welding technologies.

With the continuous corrosive attack of the environment, maintaining asset integrity offshore is a key challenge for operators looking to upgrade equipment or extend operation beyond the original design life. A crucial part of this process is ensuring the asset complies with all safety regulations. When carrying out such work, alternatives to hot work offer significant advantages to the operator, for example, from a cost and scheduling perspective.

The presentation aims to provide relevant information and data for reference by detailing case histories, from the initial design stage to installation and on-going inspection. Examples include:

1. Application of a pre-cast epoxy system to the corroded externals of a pipe, where access was severely restricted.
2. Restoring a steel deck area back to it’s original profile through cold bonding, and what qualification testing was completed.
3. How composite wraps/patches can return the strength of pipe systems without the need for hot work, and the mathematics behind it.

By presenting appropriate test data demonstrating performance criteria it will explore the capabilities of modern composites. The presentation also details other aspects to consider such as ongoing inspection and fire safety.