Hot Tapping On Ammonia Line?

There are a number of companies that specialise in hot-tapping solutions, and these are the ones to discuss the detailed proposals and precautions with.

We have not hot tapped ammonia, we've done hydronics, steam, and gas before.

If I were to attempt to do ammonia I would want the gas masks and an exit plan if the hot tap went bad. The rig we have the packing always leaks just a bit due to the drill turning.

Will your system be running what line hot gas, liquid, suction what size?

" If yes, what type of precautions are required while do welding & hot tapping?"

Given the level of experience exhibited here with the operation, I'd take the precaution of being at least 5 miles from the site of the tap.

And I'd make sure that my name wasn't on ANY of the paperwork associated with the operation.

Good Luck, wear hearing protection.

Wait one minute here. This sounds much like the bozos that come here asking how do you safely work on the electric grid. There is only one way that you can safely work on the electric grid or on a pipeline containing ammonia or any other slurry. You must get permission and coordinate with the operator of the distribution pipeline or grid. You should only be granted permission to work on either distribution systems by already having accredited knowledge about how to do this work.

So either the OP successfully lied to the ammonia pipeline operator that they already knew how to do this or they have no intention of getting permission to tap into this pipe.

The OP is either grossly incompetent or a thief! In either case, we should not help.

Although you want avoid shutting down the operation, you should nonetheless be prepared to do so if necessary. Exercise all valves (upstream, downstream, branches) to the segment being tapped, to ensure they will work if need be. Have at least gas masks for all personnel. Use a specialist firm for the actual hot tap work. Station people at the aforementioned valves in case they need to be closed promptly. Follow ANSI B31.5 piping procedures (I think 31.5, but it may be another subsection).

This is just a summary. Make sure you and the tapping service study this carefully.

Look, shut it down. Do it safe or not at all.

Hi,

I agree with Mr. Tornado..

In addition, you must comply with the Local Authority regulations and don't forget that the work area should be well ventilated to ensure low concentration level of Ammonia .SAFETY FIRST.

Good luck

I have never myself participated in such an operation, but I have heard of some lore.

The hairiest story I know of is an ammonia intercooler in which the anti-siphon hole in the inlet pipe was omitted. By careful control of intermediate pressure at just less than atmospheric, an ~6" hole could be cut into the intercooler (still containing liquid), followed by drilling the needed anti-siphon hole in the inlet pipe, and then rewelding the ~6" piece.

(This is an Alaska tale from around 1970.)

Another story involved a 10" x 36" surge drum on a brine freezer coil that was too small to prevent floodback to the compressor. This was fixed by cutting an ammonia cylinder in two, and welding half of it to the surge drum to double its volume.

These bootleg repairs obviously skirted around the regs, which were not closely enforced on the Bering Sea back in those days. I do not know if they still remain operational.

GA.

Ammonia application is a special one and is a notch more notorious comparted to other inflammable medias. Hot Tapping on ammonia line is not a new story and has been done from long. Process points of conern will be ;

1. On-line welding of hot tap fitting.

- This is no different than any other on-line welding application. You will need to follow standard set of procedures like preparing WPS and get is formalized with a PQR etc...

2. Hot Tapping

- Here is the tricky thing. Your standard machine assembly will not do. You will need seperate set of seals / packings & cutter assemblies for the application.

If you are the equipment owner but not a professional hot tapping company, my advise is, to get a pro service provider involved.