HYDRATECH HYDRAWRAP®
HYDRAWRAP® (FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER)
Project: Northeast Nuclear Plant Domestic Water Piping
Engineered Solution: HydraWrap®
Substrate/Area: Steel – Abrasive Blast to SSPC-SP6
Installation: October 2007
Piping System Description
The Domestic Water piping supplies water for drinking and sanitary facilities. It also supplies make-up water for plant process systems and as a back-up source for certain plant safe shutdown systems. The piping is 12 to 16 inches in diameter, 1500 feet in length and is located in a sub surface utility tunnel.
The Problem
The Domestic Water pipe has been in service for over 30 years and has exhibited problems with severe external corrosion resulting in a number of through wall leaks. In addition large areas of significant wall thinning have also been identified. The cause of the corrosion has been attributed to periodic water intrusion through the walls of the sub-surface tunnel where the pipe is located. Continued operation of the piping in the present condition jeopardized plant reliability.
The Challenge
In order to correct the situation the plant needed to permanently restore pressure boundary and structural integrity with the system in operation while minimizing the economic impact on the plants capital budget. Direct replacement of the piping was not a practical option due to plant process requirements during both operation and shutdown periods.
The Solution
The client selected C-Wrap carbon fiber and epoxy repair system for its structural capacity, coupled with economic pricing and favorable schedule.
Installation (October, 2007)
The project commenced in October, 2007 and required the removal of surface corrosion products and lead base paints. Five severely corroded locations, comprising several hundred feet of pipe, were selected as priorities. Fighting water intrusion problems, humidity controls, physical asses issues and operational restrictions this first phase was completed in six weeks. Work on the remainder of the piping continues.
