84" Folding Mechanical Pipe Plugs with Annular Seal in Service for 6 Months

Two - 84” folding mechanical pipe plugs with Multi-Flex® annular seal for clearwell repairs

Charleston, South Carolina, USA

INTRODUCTION

Petersen’s solution allowed the Charleston Water System to isolate Clearwell 3 for 6 months.

PROBLEM

The Charleston Water System needed to shut down two 84" pipelines. The pipe plugs had to go through a small opening in a clearwell with an underwater isolation point located 100ft down, through a bend and 200ft across. Once the plugs were installed they would need to hold up to 20 psi for many months. Opening a 2000 pound hinge underwater presented its own unique issues. The pressure side of the plug needed to be NSF-61 approved.

SOLUTION

Working with Black & Veatch, Salmons Dredging and Charleston Water System, Petersen Products engineers designed two folding mechanical plugs with installation tools and an annular seal that could be installed by divers. A winch and pulley system in concert with a strongback attached to the lower half allowed the plug to be correctly placed and then opened by two divers from the installation side.

RESULT

6 MONTHS IN SERVICE - Petersen’s solution allowed the Charleston Water System to execute all repairs without any issues.

COST SAVINGS - Charleston Water System is able to re-use the pipe plugs for any future repairs to other clearwells .

"Thank you for all of the hard work from Petersen. The plugs worked as we all expected. It was a pleasure to work with all of the professional, outstanding folks at Petersen. Our project could not have been a success without you and your wonderful team.""