TPi January 2015

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26 Tube ProducTs InTernaTIonal January 2015
developments
products &
Flame-free alternative to welding
Swiss firm Haelok has devised a high-
pressure pipe fitting system that can
take less than a minute, even for an
unskilled worker. The fitting system,
which has been used by one of
Europe’s largest energy providers to
repair its network, uses metal-to-metal
compression to offer a viable flame-free
alternative to welding.
With no need for open flames, this erad-
icates the danger of repairing district
heating pipes in dark, narrow spaces.
Pipes can be fitted quickly, while water
is still running, so the district heating
system was barely down for any time
at all. A spokesperson from the energy
provider said, “Obviously, the safety
and convenience of our customers is
always our priority and we want to keep
downtime on our network to a minimum
without taking any health and safety
risks. The Haelok system helped us get
the best of both worlds – safe and cost-
effective maintenance, and the district
network back up and running before
most of our customers even noticed it
was down.”
Haelok uses a wedge design and
axial pressing with up to 60 tons to
create a seal that is as strong as a
welded connection. It was devised in
Switzerland ten years ago, and was first
used on a cruise liner two years later.
Since then, the Haelok system has been
used by more than 100 customers.
The spokesperson from the energy
provider elaborated, “Haelok also gives
us an edge because it can be used by
workers without welding or specialist
connection experience, so we are
not dependent on the availability of
specialist staff, which again minimises
inconvenience for our customers and
maximum flexibility for ourselves.”
The Haelok press has a purely steel
composition, with no elastomeric or
rubber sealings. It was invented with
difficult, constrained working conditions
in mind, and has a working temperature
ranging from -50°C to 400°C and a
certified working pressure of up to 600
bar.
The system has 16,500psi certification,
and full conformity to ASME B31.1
Power Piping and ASME B31.3 Process
Piping.
Haelok aG – Switzerland