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Inflatable Stoppers for Pipe Plugging and Blocking

Product News Tuesday, September 13, 2016: Huntingdon Fusion Techniques Limited

Reducing volume in pipes or tanks for weld purging, for blocking pipe ends or open orifices in systems in order to conduct routine maintenance or perhaps even to prevent the entry of foreign bodies into pipes or vessels can be much easier with an Inflatable Pipestopper®.

 

A range of standard and non-standard Inflatable Stoppers for tanks, chambers, tubes, pipes, pipework fabrications and ductwork is available from the Pipestoppers® Division of Huntingdon Fusion Techniques HFT®.

 

Ron Sewell, Chairman for HFT® said: “These versatile Inflatable Stoppers are used to service a wide variety of industrial applications. As “overnight stoppers” they provide a strong barrier in pipeline activities, to prevent foreign bodies entering the line during downtime.

 

“In machining applications, they can be inserted below a horizontal flange on a vertical pipe, to prevent machining fluid, swarf and tools from falling into expensive machinery such as pumps and turbines etc.

 

“When welding large tanks and vessels, stoppers inflated with air can dramatically reduce the volume inside, so that the argon purging process takes little time and uses the minimum of expensive gas. The stoppers can pay for themselves in one weld or application and can be used multiple times.”

 

Other applications include leak testing of pipework systems, whether commercial, domestic or industrial, in pipes made of any materials.

 

All Inflatable Stoppers are manufactured with a strong internal latex balloon covered in a waterproof polyurethane coated nylon bag for low friction and to prevent the production of static electricity or accidental sparking.

 

Inflatable Stoppers are particularly useful when one or more can be inserted into a small opening close to a work location, rather than at the end of the pipe, tank or vessel. No high-pressure equipment is needed for inflation.

 

The standard range of Inflatable Stoppers is available for immediate delivery in Cylindrical or Spherical formats with sizes ranging from 1 to 96” (25 to 2,440 mm).

 

Inflatable Stoppers are available with heat resistant covers to protect them against high temperatures.

HFT® also has a range of Rubber Inflatable Stoppers that are suitable for petrochemical applications and are resistant to all hydrocarbon fluids and gases.