(43b) Hot Tapping and Line Stopping

Demand for continuous production at high rates requires minimum process down time. This demand creates challenging situations for engineers, planners and maintenance personnel required to perform scheduled or preventative maintenance on existing equipment. It also limits the time and opportunity available for modifications or upgrades of existing equipment or tie ins for new equipment.

Hot Tapping and Line Stopping provides an option to achieve the required connections or isolation to allow for safe maintenance, repair and modifications of piping systems while minimizing impact on plant production. This paper will review the basic functions, designs, and uses of hot tapping and line stopping equipment and some of the issues to be considered for their use.