Industries that depend on pipeline systems for production know the value of keeping things flowing at all times. Anything that causes the flow of product or materials through the line results in lost productivity and added costs. At the same time, keeping pipelines in good condition is critical and requires a lot of maintenance. Therefore, operators need a way to perform routine inspections and maintenance on their high-pressure pipelines without bringing everything to a halt. This is where corrosion access fittings serve a critical role.
An access fitting gives operators a point at which they can insert probes, anodes, corrosion coupons and more. The design of these fittings makes it possible to introduce these instruments into the pipeline without the need to shut down the entire line. These fittings are available in either solid plug or hollow plug assemblies, with the former being used primarily for corrosion coupons and the latter for corrosion probes. With such an access system in place, it becomes much easier and more convenient to take care of vital infrastructure while production continues on as it always does.
How Access Fittings Help Fight Corrosion
Pipelines are built to be as robust and durable as possible, but the unfortunate truth is that they still can be affected by corrosion due to environmental factors as well as regular wear and tear. Exposure to the elements and constant flow of liquid or gas through the piping can lead to the metal being worn away over time.
Preventing this requires internal corrosion monitoring to keep equipment in good working order. Corrosion access fittings make this possible by giving operators a fast and easy way to use these systems while pipelines are still in use. For example, an operator can use the point built into the access fitting assembly to insert a corrosion probe or corrosion coupon to detect metal loss inside the pipe. These connect to a corrosion monitoring system that alerts operators when changes in the thickness and integrity of the pipeline walls are detected. Armed with this information, they can make better-informed decisions about any repairs or maintenance that may be needed.
Best Practices for Implementing Corrosion Access Fittings
When installing a high pressure access system for a pipeline, it's generally recommended that the fitting be oriented in the 6 o'clock position. This is because the bottom of the pipe is where there is the highest risk of corrosion due to water and debris collecting there. Installers typically need about 6.5 feet of clearance along the axis of the access fitting body to make installing the isolation valve and retriever kit as simple as possible.
Another important practice for access fittings is to use thread protector caps. Made from metal or plastic, these cover the external threads used to install isolation valves and retriever kits when not in use. These are used primarily for protecting the exposed metal of the threads from corrosion.
The use of access fittings is critical for keeping a close eye on the corrosion rate of pipelines. Without these components, operators in multiple industries aren't able to monitor corrosion without suffering significant losses in productivity and efficiency. To learn more about SMARTCORR®'s lineup of corrosion monitoring equipment, including our Corrosion Coupon Retrieval Tool, follow the link or get in touch with us today.