EXPLORE the WORLD of PIPING Meni specials Introduction to Hot Tapping and Line Stopping What is a Hot Tap and why it is made? Hot Taps or Hot Tapping is the ability to safely te inte a pressurized system, by diling or cutting while itis. on stream and under pressure ‘Typical connections consist: ‘+ Tapping fittings like Weldolet®, Reinforced Branch or Spit Tee. Spit Tees often to be used as branch and main pipe has the same diameters. «Isolation valve lke Gate or Ball valve ‘Hot tapping machine which includes the cutter, and housing, “Mechanical fitings may be used for making hot taps on pipelines and mains provided they are designed for the operating pressure of the pipeline or main, and are suitable for the purpose. reece *EXPLORE the WORLD of PIPING ‘There are many reasons to made a Hot Tap, While is preferred to install nozeles during a ‘turnaround, installing 3 nozzle with equipment in operation is sometimes advantageous, especially ifit averts a costly shut down, Remarks before made a Hot Tap ‘+ Ahot tap shall not be considered a routine procedure, but shall be used only when there is no practical alternative. ‘+ Hot Taps shall be installed by trained and experienced crews. ‘+ It should be noted that hot tapping of sour gas lines presents special health and supnewusrecals | maracas aEXPLORE the WORLD of PIPING Menu = Teasonable thickness allowance for welding, Ifthe actual thickness Is barely more than that required for pressure, then loss of containment at the weld pool is a risk ‘+ Welding on in-service pipelines requires weld procedure development and qualification, as well as a highly trained workforce to ensure integrity of welds when pipelines are operating at full pressure and under full flow conditions. ‘wallet ster Hot Tap setup For a hot tap, there are three key components necessary to safely dril into a pipe; the fiting, the valve, and the hot tap machine. The fitting is attached te the pipe, mostly by welding. In many cases, the fiting is a Weldolet® where a flange is welded, ora split tee with a langed outlet (see image above). vwnmmemac aspen in we