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Hot Tapping
Hot tapping, also known as pressure tapping, is a method of connecting (either by drilling or cutting) to a pressurised system, such as a pipeline or pressure vessel, without removing the pipe or tank from service. This prevents costly and potentially dangerous environmental hazards while allowing for continued operation.
Hot tapping strictly refers to the installation of connections to pipelines while they remain in service. In the welding context, it is commonly used for any welding onto in-service equipment. Hot tapping is frequently used to repair areas that have undergone mechanical damage or corrosion, or to add branches for system modifications. There are distinct economic and environmental advantages to performing this welding without removing a pipe from service and possibly venting quantities of greenhouse gases, such as methane.
Each hot tapping needs to be properly designed, the location of hot tapping thoroughly inspected, and the installation procedures reviewed before starting the operation. The drilling machine usually consists of a mechanically driven telescoping boring bar that controls a cutting tool. A pilot hole into the pipeline wall is bored by the cutting tool to center a hole saw that cuts out the “coupon,” or curved section of the pipeline wall.