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Keyhole
Squeeze-Off Tool to Enable Repair of Large (4" and 6")
Polyethylene Gas Pipes--Timberwolf
Corporation, P.O. Box 1328, Whitefish,
MT
59937-1328; 406-755-4259
Ms.
Jeanine M. Green, Business Official, jmg@timerlinetool.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG03-02ER83559
Amount:
$100,000
The aging and
expanding natural gas transmission and distribution network in the United
States, based on the
material polyethylene (PE), has a critical need for economical and ecologically
sound “keyhole” repair techniques. The
important first step in any gas line repair is to stop the flow of natural gas. Typically,
this involves squeeze-off procedures. However,
there are no current tools available that allow an operator to squeeze-off gas
flow from small “keyhole,” openings in larger 4” and 6” PE pipes. This project will develop, demonstrate, and manufacture an innovative
“squeeze-off” tool that can safely squeeze-off large (4” and 6”)
diameter polyethylene pipe in keyhole access situations. In Phase I, a test “squeeze-off” tool will be designed, fabricated
and tested for large (4” and 6”) diameter polyethylene natural gas pipe.
Commercial
Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: With
the potential for thousands of large pipe squeeze-off operations annually, there
is a significant commercial potential for the “squeeze-off” tool. This tool should provide a safe, convenient, and quick shut-off for the
repair of natural gas lines, saving many hours and dollars and eliminating the
need for dangerous, costly and lengthy excavations.
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