Due to site access restrictions often limiting the access of larger equipment, the use of portable blasting units is an ideal convenient and efficient solution. These consist of a pot, abrasive storage, compressors, air dryer, hose storage, tool box and other necessary equipment. Because of their compact “all-in-one” design, these pipeline units can be moved quickly from place to place as they are completed. They are typically mounted onto a skid for easy loading on and off truck beds.

All pipeline construction and maintenance sites require blast pots to have deadman systems. Pipeline joint blasting requires frequent movement from joint to joint, resulting in the process consisting of multiple short duration periods of blasting. This can lead to wasted abrasive and excessive time waiting for the blast pot to pressurize and depressurize. This type of work necessitates the use of pressure hold deadman systems i.e. the pressure remains held in the pot for start-up and shut-down speeding up the start and stop of blasting. The abrasive metering valves also needs to have capability for fine accurate adjustment, to minimize the abrasive usage. Start up time is greatly reduced with the TeraValve system, while providing highly accurate abrasive metering.

If blasting full lengths of pipe, the opportunity arises to take advantage of the maximum possible flow rates of abrasive. This requires large bore hoses and piping and super dry air. Efficient abrasive consumption is also important in reducing freight costs. As pipeline blasting sites are usually in remote locations, reducing freight is of high importance. By blasting more efficiently you reduce the the amount of abrasive required, and in turn the amount of abrasive that needs transporting to site.

ABRASIVES

For field joints in pipeline construction, use GMA Garnet ToughBlast to increase efficiency and reduce consumption. ToughBlast provides regular surface consistency and is typically used to achieve SP-18 standard with sweep blasting. Some contractors prefer using steel grit.  While highly productive, using steel grit for pipeline blasting causes some difficulties to arise. The biggest issue is the cost of the abrasive, which results in the requirement to collect and recycle-it.  The vacuum systems are very difficult to maneuver and very time consuming. Garnet’s cost effectiveness means that it can be single use only. Producing less dust than coal slag and other abrasives, Toughblast can be recycled up to 5x.