Plidco SOLE+MATES Manual Del Usuario página 7

b. Sole+Mates can be joined together by welding a bridging sleeve across sleeves as shown
in Figure 9.
Note: Doing this alleviates the internal spacing requirement that the distance between two
sleeves must be one pipe diameter apart.
Failure to follow field welding instructions could result in explosion, fire, death, personal injury,
property damage and/or harm to the environment.
All of the aspects for in-service welding of Type A & B sleeve circumferential and full penetration
longitudinal seams are not addressed by this document. ASME PCC-2, API 1104 Appendix B,
ASME Section IX, PRCI L52047 and other industry information pertaining to in-service welding
must be considered when planning in-service welding.
Reducing the carrier piping or pipeline operating pressure, and maintaining flow, while the sleeve is being
welded is recommended. The piping or pipelines may be taken out of service to make the repair;
however, burn-through must be considered. Recommended pressure during sleeve installation for piping
or pipelines is between 50% to 80% of operating pressure.
Welders and weld procedures should be qualified in accordance with API Standard 1104, Welding of
Pipelines and Related Facilities, Appendix B, In-Service Welding or the applicable construction code
requirements. At a minimum, qualification of the welding process shall take into account:
a) The potential for hydrogen-induced cracking in the heat-affected zone as a result of
accelerated cooling rate and of hydrogen in the weld environment
b) The risk of forming an unacceptably hard heat-affected zone due to base metal chemistry
of the sleeve and pipe materials.
c) Possible burn-through of the pipe
PLIDCO strongly recommends the use of a low hydrogen welding process such as GMAW or SMAW
using low hydrogen electrodes (E-XX18) because of their high resistance to moisture pick-up and
hydrogen cracking. SMAW electrodes must be absolutely dry.
Figure 9
Field Welding Instructions
!! WARNING!!
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IP-022
Revision 1