Reducing Pipeline Explosions: A Cost-Effective and Efficient Solution

Pipeline explosions in the United States have become a frequent concern, occurring at a rate of three incidents every four days. Although some are considered lower-level accidents, they still result in property damage, injuries, and even fatalities. Since 1992, there have been 5,643 such incidents causing significant harm, according to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). These events have resulted in 373 lives lost and over $6 billion in property damage.

Proactive measures can prevent many of these gas pipeline explosions. With approximately 2.5 million miles of pipelines in the U.S., around 280 pipeline incidents occur annually. Surprisingly, 14 percent of these incidents are due to accidental excavations into buried pipelines. Recent investigations reveal that only 7 percent of natural gas lines and 44 percent of hazardous liquid lines are regularly inspected or subject to PHMSA's thorough inspection criteria. These pipelines often suffer from corrosion and leaks, necessitating repairs.

Traditional solutions involve steel welding or complete pipe replacement. However, steel corrodes over time, requiring frequent and expensive repairs or replacements. The introduction of composite repairs for corroded pipelines has provided pipeline owners with a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. Carbon fiber composites are approved by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) for repairing pressure equipment and piping. Carbon fiber is 10 times stronger than fiberglass systems, which means less material is required, and installation is quick, resulting in minimal downtime. Moreover, the overall cost is competitive.

HJ3 Composite Technologies offers ASME/PCC-2 compliant CarbonSeal systems that have been used to repair thousands of linear feet of pipe since 2008. These systems save owners up to 90% on repairs compared to replacing the pipe.

With pipeline explosions occurring far too often, regular inspections and long-term repair solutions like carbon fiber systems can significantly reduce the risk. By implementing carbon fiber repairs, pipeline owners can save on costs, minimize downtime, and avoid future maintenance. If you suspect corrosion in your pipelines and want to learn more about HJ3’s CarbonSeal industrial repair systems, contact our project managers at hj3pm@hj3.com.

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