A COMPLEX TECHNOLOGY FOR INCREASING THE BEARING CAPACITY OF GAS TRANSMISSION PIPELINES

Abstract

Pipelines of gas transmission systems are mostly installed in open terrain according to the above ground principle and operate under conditions of simultaneously influencing factors, due to which corrosion fatigue and plain corrosive processes occur and develop in the joints of welded seams of the pipe. These phenomena significantly reduce the bearing capacity and service life of pipelines, and in some cases initiate breach of tightness and fatigue failure. To avoid this, a comprehensive finishing technology is proposed to increase the bearing capacity of the butt welds. By means of applying its particular operations et is possible to remove the surface damage and microcracks (surface grinding), also to increase the fatigue strength and durability by surface plastic deformation of welds and adjacent areas, as well as to increase the tightness and corrosion resistance of welds by coating these areas with special polymer adhesive. A special movable device has been developed in order to accomplish the proposed comprehensive finishing technology, which is installed and fixed on the weld, and automatically performs specified technological operations, substantially facilitating the maintenance conditions of the gas pipeline.