T.D. Williamson Newsletter

Your Source for Piping Solutions!

High-Temp Tapping Service Available

T.D. Williamson, Inc. has made a major breakthrough this year in the development of a high temperature tapping machine. Starting with the proven Model 760 tapping machine, TDW incorporated design changes of the cutter drive system, developed new parameters for cutters and pilot drills, and used a block and bleed system with low conductivity material to reduce heat transfer through the machine.

Technician opens the tapping valve to begin high-temperature tap.

Extensive testing and re-design resulted in a machine capable of making taps up to 12 inches in temperatures to 1,000ºF at pressures to 1,200 psi. The innovative design resulted in a patent pending.

Unique temperature testing was done in the large furnaces at the TDW manufacturing plant. A special test fixture was designed to support the tapping machine outside the furnace, but enable test vessels to be heated in the "computer-controlled" environment inside the furnace.

Early in the testing, it became apparent that the cutters would be a difficult challenge. Over a period of more than two years, over 100 test taps were made. These tests included a variety of pipe materials and involved changing almost every parameter of the cutters. Finally, completely new cutters and pilots were developed, setting a new standard in performance and reliability.

On completion of in-house testing, field testing was performed in two different jobs in south-central U.S. refineries. The most notable was a successful 10-inch tap on a 12-inch 750ºF steam line operating at 600 psi.

TDW Services is proud to offer the new tapping service to our customers. Applications include hydrocarbon processing plants and tanks, steam lines, petrochemical environments, flare lines, flues and cat crackers. Soon to follow will be a high temp plugging capability.

New cutter design and a block-and-bleed
system enable tapping operations
up to 1000° F

For more information about High-Temp Tapping Service, visit TDWilliamson.com or contact your TDW representative 800-828-1988.

MAGPIE™ Systems Inc. Website

MAGPIE's redesigned website is now live. It can be found at www.magpiesystems.com. MAGPIE Systems, Inc., is a TDW division that offers pipeline assessment through its family of high resolution Magnetic Flux leakage inspection tools.

The site offers better access to information about MAGPIE activities, tools, and technology. It offers a scrolling "News" feature that announces new technology or other important milestones. There is a moderated "Forum" bulletin board that customers can access and post relative pipeline inspection suggestions or problems.

Many of the technical documents that customers frequently ask for are provided on the website in Adobe PDF format for download. These include tool specifications, the MAGPIE pre-run questionnaire, sample analysis reports, etc. Additional user features will be added over time.

For more information about MAGPIE Systems, visit www.magpiesystems.com or contact your TDW representative.

Magnetic Cleaning Option

Planning to run a corrosion inspection tool through your pipeline? You might want to consider running the TDW Magnetic Cleaning Option first. This will permit a more accurate assessment of your pipeline as well as decrease the likelihood of damage to the inspection tool during the run. The magnetic option is ideal for new construction situations and after modifications to existing pipelines.

Magnetic Cleaning Option Kit.

The magnetic option consists of a series of high-powered cubical magnets spaced around the body of a pig.

Vantage® V w/ Magnet Cleaning Option

The assembly removes ferrous debris including welding rods, brush bristles, black powder, cutter chips and other fragments as it moves through the pipeline. The magnets are held in place near the pipeline wall by steel plates. Larger magnets are capable of holding weights up to 500 pounds.

The assemblies are designed to be used on TDW manufactured pigs, including Vantage®, WCK™, OptionAll™, and BiDirectionAll™ pigs 6-inches and larger. The magnetic cleaning assemblies can be used alone or in multiple configurations.
View PDF
Website

Welding Rods and debris removed by Magnetic Cleaning Option

These assemblies can also be designed for use with TDW cleaning discs, wire brushes, scrapers and blades.

LineMaster™ 2004 Fall Schedule

The TDW Technology Center kicks off its third year with four training courses scheduled in the fall. Dedicated in June 2002, the training facility chalks up two successful years in customer, as well as TDW technician training programs.

The fall offering kicks off September 7 with a one-day course in operation and maintenance of the popular T-101 drilling machine. Participants will receive in-depth training on the use of this equipment. Operator qualification tests are administered at the end of this day's training.

On September 14-15, TDW offers its informational course on Pigging Products. Questions such as "Why is pigging necessary?" and "which pigs should be used?" are discussed and answered. In addition, pipeline design for pigging, including launcher and receiver design, pig launching receiving and tracking will be taught. Participants will also learn the ins and outs of pipeline inspection. Operator qualification tests will be administered.

Following the pigging course will be Transmission Equipment, a four day course beginning September 20-23. Students are given a look at tapping and plugging equipment used on transmission lines, such as the T-101 drilling machine, Model 660 tapping machine and STOPPLE® Plugging System. As in the other courses, operator qualification tests are administered at the end of the course. The Transmission Equipment course will also be offered October 11-14 and November 8-11.

"Hands-on" opportunity is the hallmark of TDW LineMaster training programs

Rounding out September will be Gas Distribution Equipment, September 27-30. Four days are devoted to hot tapping and plugging equipment used in gas distribution networks, such as the T-101, T-203 and Model 660 tapping machines and the three SHORTSTOPP® Plugging Systems. Successful completion leads to TDW operator certification. This course will be repeated October 18-21 and November 15-18.

TDW's Technology Center courses are taught in a state-of-the-art training center by qualified Trainers. Lectures, video presentations, hands-on applications and testing produce technicians well qualified to work with TDW equipment.

Online Information and Registration

For more information, contact TDW at 918-447-5100 or toll-free at 888-839-6766. Or call your local TDW representative.

Upcoming Trade Shows

Don't forget to visit TDW's booth at upcoming trade shows. We are attending several in the next few months, including:

Events - 2004 Trade Shows Dates Locations

SGA Gas Transmission & Distribution July 21-23
Houston, Texas

SGA Offshore August 10-12
Lafayette, La.

MEA August 11-13
Ames, Iowa

Offshore Northern Seas August 24-27
Stavanger, Norway

IPC/IPE Pipeline Conference October 4-8
Calgary, Canada

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