THE PROBLEM

Plant owners face an unknown risk concerning the integrity of pipelines at pipe support contact areas, also know as Corrosion Under Pipe Supports (CUPS). 

This defined contact area remains a major unknown integrity concern for plant owners which can primarily be contributed to a gap in maintenance and reliability strategies, which in the past could never been considered as a result of the impracticality to access them cost effectively and  safely for inspection or repair. 

What prevents damaged contact areas from being repaired?

-Access

Gaining access to the specific area to be treated could be very Costly or Impractical. The Connection Point between Pipes and their Support is typically such an example. To access the Connection Point the Pipe needs to be lifted. Conventional Safe lifting Equipment is unfortunately not financially viable for this task especially when the pipes are LIVE.

-Production Downtime

The rule is NOT to work on LIVE Equipment due to the high Risk to People and Equipment.

As the Client cannot take the Pipes out of Production for longer periods, he is forced to run the Pipes to DESTRUCTION. Unfortunately the Pipes then are REPLACED in lieu of being maintained.

Galvanic Corrosion takes place on the so called CONNECTION AREA where the Pipe comes into contact with the Support Structure. 

The problem is also present on the support beam and cable racks.

Conventional methods which are costly and resulting in a suspended load