Line Freeze

This is a common procedure, but not one that I have ever used. The size of the piping plus the pressure will cause it to require a tremendous amount of coolant to freeze the water, and maintain the ice while repairs are made. And since this is boiler feedwater, the chemical additives may cause the water to require chilling below its normal freezing point. It will no doubt require a tremendous amount of CO2 to freeze the water and maintain it in the form of ice for the duration that you specify.

Freezing kits are sold by McMaster-Carr company, but they are for smaller pipes, say 4" diameter. However, if you contact them they will be most happy to work with their supplier to determine the answer to your question.

Ing. Robert Forbus

www.teamindustrialservices.com

Hope this will help you for the future. It will take approximately 2-3 hrs to freeze a 10 in water line at 65F with stagnant water with nitrogen. It will take approximately 13-16 of the 160 liter Nitrogen Dewars to hold the line for 8 hours. All times and materials approximate.

Perhaps a line stop or line bypass might be less expensive, and quicker. Try www.tapmasterinc.com if you are in California or Nevada. They do good work.

Sozoman