Install Instructions for BBS HDD Bundle Bumpers
Bundled directional drilling applications present a unique challenge
in the pipeline world. Something must be
done to prevent the different pipe sections from damaging one another.
The BBS System is primarily comprised of two general
component groups:
1.
A
specially formulated and designed rubber bumper material that has been
carefully selected, evaluated and proven to do what it is supposed to do.
2.
A heat
shrinkable vehicle with a long use history, proven to survive directional
drilling applications with ease, used to hold the bumper in place throughout
the pulling process (and beyond).
In my experience, factory applied pipeline coatings receive
an alarming amount of damage being moved around the pipe coating yard, loaded
onto trucks, transported to who knows where, and unloaded at a job site. Imagine the additional damage that a pipeline
will receive when it is being dragged through a hole in the ground interacting
with other pipelines at the exact same time.
The scariest thing is that these pipelines that are involved
in directional drilling applications are never going to be seen again. If they are damaged, then the only option is
to hope that the cathodic protection will properly protect any holidays. That is complicated as well though! Because now you’ll have multiple other
pipelines potentially surrounding a damaged or even a bare section of
pipe!
In the world of bundled pipeline directional drilling, there
are a number of things that have been used.
Some are as simple as rope with duct tape wrapped around it. I can’t imagine anyone truly believes that
system is going to prevent pipe collisions.
Other systems are intricately complicated, but still bad. Picture a piece of rope with a basic, drop in
a ditch shrink sleeve on it, now put on some metal banding to hold that shrink
sleeve in place. Then put another shrink
sleeve on top of that metal banding.
Crazy, because you’ve put products on a pipeline that are designed to
withstand the forces of road bore AND you’ve introduced a metal band on your
pipeline.
Our system has been proven (going in and coming out) and
uses only products that are specifically designed to withstand road bore
forces. With abrasion resistance,
penetration resistance, shear and impact resistance values that are top of the
line, you will be able to rest easy knowing that you’ve done all you can do to
get an undamaged pipeline in place prior to it going into service.
All
pipe surfaces to be involved in this application must be free of all oils,
dust, dirt, mud or any other substance that would reduce or prevent a proper
bond.
Using a propane torch, preheat all pipe surfaces to a
temperature between 140F and 160F.
The primary reason for this is that the warm pipe surface allows
the efficient use of the epoxy. A
cold pipe will use much more epoxy than is really necessary and will lead
to an epoxy shortage as the job proceeds.
After the pipe has been preheated; quickly wrap the
appropriately sized bumpers around the pipe right next to one
another. Secure them in place using
a small amount of duct tape (included in the box).
Mix and apply the S1301M Epoxy (quickly before the
pipe cools down). Everything you
need is included in this kit: Part
A, Part B, Mixing Stick, Applicator Pad and latex gloves if
necessary. Apply the epoxy in a
thin coat covering all parts of the pipe that will be in contact with the
shrink sleeve. It is not necessary
to have epoxy between the bumper and the pipe.
Wrap the main (wider) shrink sleeve around the pipe
(quickly, before the epoxy has cured) and center it on the bumpers. Secure the closure strip using the
propane torch and a gloved hand.
This will form the sleeve into the shape of a tube and hold it in
the shape of a tube during the shrink process. Note: the sleeve will wrap around the
bumper AND overlap onto
itself by at least a few inches.
Using the propane torch, begin shrink the
sleeve. The torch should be at a setting that provides a broad, bushy,
yellow flame. Begin by shrink the
sleeve directly on top of the bumpers.
You will begin to see the profile of the bumper showing through.
Next, install the 3” wide leading edge strip. This will be positioned on the ‘front’
end of the shrink sleeve you’ve just installed. When centered over that edge; it should
be half on the just installed (still hot) shrink sleeve – and half on the
still not fully cured S1301M epoxy that you applied previously. Secure the closure and shrink the sleeve
just as you did with the larger sleeve.
As necessary, using the silicone roller; roll the
leading edge strip that you’ve just installed and the overlap area of both
sleeves. If you experienced any air
entrapment during installation, use the roller to push that out as well.
