20 Inch Remote Installation Leak Stop Bulkhead

20 INCH REMOTE INSTALLATION LEAK STOP BULKHEAD

THE CHALLENGE

Mechanical Research & Design, Inc. was tasked to design, manufacture, and test a remote operation bulkhead that could travel several hundred feet through a corroded drinking water riser, expand several inches, hold itself in place, and seal against hundreds of psi of pressure in a live system. The vertical riser had a persistent leak for decades and the goal was to prove the leak was isolated prior to locking it in place. Coupled with the challenge of using corrosion-resistant noble materials in a power train, the only working fluid allowed was potable water. The final severe challenge was to make multiple hydraulic operations occur in sequence with a single water supply line and pressure.

THE TOOL WITH A HYDRAULIC BRAIN!

The tool was designed to perform sequential operations at different pressure states to allow testing and re-installation. When the tool reached a high enough pressure, it self-locked into position for permanent installation.

THE SOLUTION

Mechanical Research & Design, Inc. employed a multi-stage PE sealed tool design to perform remote redundant active mechanical sealing and pressure load restraint, providing an NSF® 61 compliant tool using exotic stainless steel and elastomeric materials. The system was manufactured, assembled, tested, and optimized in the Lab at Mechanical Research, ensuring the tool would perform as expected at the installation site. Using a system of special hydraulic cylinders and motors powered by potable water, the SEALFAST® mechanical seals and traction restraint pads functioned as anticipated and the tool has been currently installed successfully. The long tool length was required for the multi-stage drive system, allowing the customer to partially actuate the tool to perform tests during installation prior to locking the tool in place once leak stoppage was confirmed.

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