Innovative Cooling Tower Pipe Restoration
Ensuring Durability in Critical Power Infrastructure
Routine inspections at a municipal power facility, identified multiple cracks in the cooling tower riser piping.
These structural issues jeopardized the system’s reliability, requiring an immediate and effective repair strategy that aligned with the plant’s planned outage schedule.
Experience always overcomes challenges
CFES addressed the repair needs by overcoming two critical challenges:
The repair required robust bonding between steel and concrete substrates.
Repairs had to be completed efficiently within the planned downtime to minimize disruptions.
Inspection and Preparation
CFES employed a meticulous inspection and preparation process:
Damage Assessment:
Cracks and weak points were identified along the riser piping system.
Surface Preparation:
The affected areas were thoroughly cleaned and prepared to create an optimal bonding surface.
Existing coatings and debris were removed to expose the substrate.
Innovative Repair Methods
Advanced repair techniques ensured the durability and efficiency of the solution:
Carbon Fiber Wrap Application:
Epoxy putty and high-strength carbon fiber wraps were applied over the steel-to-concrete transitions, ensuring structural reinforcement.
The repair adhered to ASME PCC-2 standards, guaranteeing compliance and safety.
Protective Coating:
An immersion-grade epoxy topcoat was applied to the repaired areas, providing long-term protection against environmental and operational wear.
Key Outcomes
Structural Integrity Restored: The riser piping was reinforced, ensuring reliable performance.
Continuous Operations: Repairs were executed without disrupting service, maintaining system reliability.
Cost Savings: The innovative FRP system eliminated the need for costly and time-consuming piping replacements.
Enhanced Durability: The repair provided long-term resilience, Long-term protection was achieved through the anti-corrosion wrap and epoxy topcoat.
