Mumbai
2018
Larsen & Toubro (L&T), one of India’s leading engineering and technology companies, required a high-pressure hydraulic pipe spool for specialised defence testing equipment. The project presented a unique installation challenge. The spool had to pass through a fixed sealing bulkhead, where the opening was approximately the same diameter as the outside diameter of the pipe. A conventional fixed flange arrangement would not have allowed the pipe to pass through the bulkhead. The project therefore required a piping solution where the flanges could be assembled after the pipe had been positioned through the bulkhead. Tube-Mac’s Retain Ring Flange System provided the required flexibility because the flange assembly can be installed onto or removed from the pipe without requiring the flange to be permanently welded to the pipe.
Cenergy Offshore, in partnership with Tube-Mac Piping Technologies (TMI), provided the engineering and pre-fabricated spool solution.
The requirement was for a 6-inch high-pressure pipe spool, but the bulkhead opening was only approximately equal to the pipe’s outside diameter. This meant that a conventional welded flange could not simply be installed on the pipe before the spool was passed through the bulkhead.
The solution needed to allow:
The pipe to pass through the restricted bulkhead opening
Flanges to be assembled after the pipe was positioned
Reliable sealing at the high-pressure connection
Accurate dimensional control
Complete material traceability
Independent third-party inspection and pressure testing
The pipe spool also had to withstand a pressure of 290 bar (4,205 PSI).
Tube-Mac’s Retain Ring Flange System was selected for the application. Unlike a conventional permanently attached flange arrangement, the Retain Ring Flange System allowed the flange components to be assembled onto or detached from the pipe as required.
This made it possible to pass the pipe through the restricted bulkhead opening first and complete the flange assembly afterward. The solution therefore addressed the specific installation constraint without requiring the bulkhead opening to be enlarged.
Based on L&T’s requirements, Cenergy Offshore/TMI developed the spool design for customer approval.
The engineering process considered:
The final spool was designed around the Retain Ring Flange System so that it could meet the installation requirement while maintaining the required pressure integrity.
The pipe spool was pre-fabricated at the Tube-Mac Piping Technologies (TMI) facility in Canada according to the approved drawing. The spool was manufactured using 6-inch SCHXXS SS316L pipe and incorporated the Tube-Mac Retain Ring Flange System.
Following fabrication, the spool underwent a thorough cleaning and flushing process before being presented for inspection. Pre-fabrication in a controlled facility allowed the spool to be manufactured, cleaned and tested before being released for shipment to the customer.
Because the spool was intended for a specialised high-pressure testing application, the completed assembly was subject to third-party inspection by DNV.
A detailed Quality Control Plan (QCP) was prepared by Cenergy Offshore/TMI and submitted for customer approval.
The inspection programme included:
The spool was cleared by the DNV surveyor following successful completion of the required inspections and testing. The required Inspection Release Note and Inspection Clearance Slip were subsequently issued.
The completed pipe spool was hydrostatically tested to verify its pressure integrity. The system was designed for a working pressure of 290 bar (4,205 PSI).
The pressure test was witnessed as part of the DNV third-party inspection programme, providing independent verification of the completed assembly. The spool successfully completed the required inspection and testing programme before release.
Cenergy Offshore and Tube-Mac successfully delivered a 6-inch SCHXXS SS316L high-pressure pipe spool for L&T’s defence testing equipment application. The key installation challenge — passing the pipe through a fixed sealing bulkhead with an opening approximately equal to the pipe’s outside diameter — was addressed through the use of the Tube-Mac Retain Ring Flange System.
The ability to assemble and detach the flange components from the pipe provided the flexibility required for this specialised installation arrangement. The completed spool was manufactured in Canada, cleaned, inspected and hydrostatically tested before shipment. The entire assembly successfully passed the DNV third-party inspection, including dimensional checks, material traceability verification and pressure testing.
High-pressure hydraulic pipe spool for L&T Defence Testing Equipment
6-inch SCHXXS SS316L pipe
Working pressure of 290 bar / 4,205 PSI
Tube-Mac Retain Ring Flange System
Solution for installation through a restricted fixed bulkhead
Flange assembly possible after passing the pipe through the bulkhead
Pre-fabricated at TMI's facility in Canada
Controlled cleaning and flushing before inspection
DNV third-party inspection
Dimensional inspection and verification
Material Test Certificate and traceability review
Hydrostatic pressure testing
Inspection Release Note and Inspection Clearance Slip issued
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