Hot Tapping

The hot tap process for a gas pipeline begins with the evaluation of the needed connection. The information that the customer needs to provide us are the following:

• Size and material of the main?
• Wall thickness of the main?
• Design pressure and design temperature?
• Operational pressure and temperature?
• Hot tap size and pressure Class?
• Is the use of electric tools allowed in the worksite?

After Tonisco personnel receive the basic information, we can provide you with the budget quote for the hot tap process. We will always make recommendations on the components (valves & fittings), but we can also operate with components provided by the customer.

The Tonisco hot tap process is designed so that we can use normal standard shut-off valves for the hot tap connection. This means that customer does not need to spend a lot of time and money on special hot tap components. Usually, in a low and medium pressure networks a normal weldolet + shut-off valve combination is sufficient solution. It gives the complete project more flexibility and more room for co-operation between contractors.

Tonisco Service is capable of making the hot tap connection to all the pipeline materials used in the district heating and cooling sector. The most common methods of hot tapping:

• Steel pipes: welding a reinforcement plate or a weldolet + shut-off ball valve
• PE pipes: Infusion welded hot tap saddle + Shut-off valve (Gate or ball valve)
• Other pipe materials: Mechanical Hot tap clamp + Shut-off valve (Gate of ball valve)

To familiarize yourself with different hot tapping options please download the brochure.

Key features of the Tonisco hot tapping service are the following:

• No need for service interruptions
• No gas released into the atmosphere
• Avoids costly redesign of pipeline sections and reduces cost of planning
• Removes the necessity to notify of gas outages
• Flexible service process when using standard components
• Co-operation – Sharing of different working stages (e.g. welding works)
• Turnkey planning and execution, if needed

Operational parameters – Basic service package:

• Maximum operational pressure 60 bar @ 40°C
• Maximum operational temperature 200°C @ 16 bar
• Hot tap range DN10 (3/8″) to DN1600 (64″)
• Both ASME and DIN Standards apply

Operational parameters – Special service package:

• Maximum operational pressure 1480 PSI @ 40°C
• Maximum operational temperature 371 C @ 700 PSI
• Hot tap range DN25 (1″) to DN1600 (64″)
• Both ASME and DIN Standards apply