Pipe Freezing

Freephone:  0800 634 3111

London:  0207 739 0680

Stansted:  01279 815 749

Email:  sales@pipefreeze.co.uk

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Over the past 30 years, pipe freezing (cryogenics) for temporary pipe isolation has become the safest, cheapest and most effective method for allowing valve replacement and general pipework modifications.

Pipe Freezing
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Since the company started trading in 1995, the organisation has built a strong reputation for quality and service based on excellent customer value and true professionalism.

About Us
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We specialise in valve replacement and pipework repair services which can be accompanied by pipe freezing works and enables us to provide a ‘one stop shop’ for all pipework requirements.

Mechanical Services
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Our highly trained, friendly and experienced staff, operate nationally and internationally with purpose built, specialist equipment ensuring that the right people, with the right equipment are on site every time.

Our Staff
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Hot tapping, or under- pressure drilling, is a method of making a connection to existing pipelines or tanks while that existing system is under pressure.

Hot Tapping & Line Stopping
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Over the past 10 years, we have developed a team of dedicated engineers and plumbers who carry out the supply and installation of heating, plumbing and gas works predominately for (but not limited to) the leisure sector (i.e. pubs, restaurants and hotels).

Heating, Plumbing & Gas
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We have previously and continue to take on projects of different sizes round the country ranging from power stations to shopping centers all in which are documented and displayed on our gallery and projects page.

Gallery and Projects

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Pipe Freezing

Over the past 30 years, pipe freezing (cryogenics) for temporary pipe isolation has become the safest, cheapest and most effective method for allowing valve replacement and general pipework modifications.

Fluid in the system no longer needs to be drained down, therefore valuable time can be saved and the costly process of refilling and venting can be avoided.  Toxic fluids do not have to be drained and stored or at worst disposed of and then replaced.

Simple yet effective, the process involves the freezing of the contents of a pipe in a controlled method using specialist equipment and monitoring techniques. Once a solid frozen plug has formed, it is capable of withholding any working/operating pressure and whilst the freeze is maintained pipework modifications can be undertaken with confidence.

Hot Tapping

Hot Tapping

Hot tapping, or under- pressure drilling, is a method of making a connection to existing pipelines or tanks while that existing system is under pressure.
A man using a pen to sign a document

Clients

We have previously and continue to work with some of the largest companies and organizations, proving time and time again to be the number one choice.
Certificates

Certificates

Our expert teams receive the highest standards of training in Health & Safety at work and in customer care.

Direct Liquid Nitrogen Pipe Freezing

Direct Liquid Nitrogen Pipe Freezing

Direct Liquid Nitrogen pipe freezing is the most common procedure used to establish isolation on a pressurised pipeline, requiring the application of Liquid Nitrogen to the external surface of the pipe. This transfers the low temperature Liquid Nitrogen through the pipe reducing the pipe fluid to a temperature below its freezing point and developing the freeze plug. The technology as described above affords us the ability to control the area of the pipe to be frozen.

Once a plug has formed it is capable of withholding pressures up to 4000 psi and this is maintained to allow pipework modifications to be undertaken with confidence. Freeze time is dependent upon many factors. Primarily it is the size of the pipe although system conditions and ambient temperatures are contributing factors. Once we know the particulars of your application we can predict the actual freezing time.

When can pipe freezing be used?

Pipeline materials that can be subjected to cryogenic temperatures include:

  • Carbon steels
  • Aluminum alloys
  • Cast iron
  • Stainless steel
  • Epoxy coated pipes
  • Nickel alloys
  • Copper base alloys

Pipeline fluids that have been crystallised to form an ice plug include:

  • Fresh water
  • Glycol solutions
  • Sea water
  • Effluents / Sewage
  • Produced water
  • Contaminated water
  • Alcohol
  • Crude oil
  • Bunker C oils
  • Fuel oils
  • Methanol
  • Lubrication oils
  • Various chemical products