The various industries in the world are responsible for the employment of millions all over the world. These industries are crucial in our world today as they provide critical services necessary for the proper running of the society. Though there might be challenges today with some of their systems, they only refer to the need for reforms and an updating of these systems.
Examples of these industries include the manufacturing industries, the oil and gas industries, the building industries and the mining industries,just to name a few.
One of the challenges that does affect these industries is the issue of maintenance of their structures and systems especially if they become defective. Luckily, there are organizations committed to the various specific areas of this duty.
Pipeline Maintenance
As can be inferred from the name, it is all about ensuring that a pipeline and all its related components are in good shape and that it functions optimally. It has to be emphasized that this is a constant and continuous activity rather than an undertaken that you do once and then you are all done.It has to become part of your organizations mode of function.
What are Pipelines?
They are a safe means of transporting various substances from one place to another. These substances include, water, sewage, natural gas, petroleum products and oil. You can find out more here
Its major advantage is that it is safe thus, it is currently the major means of transporting these products that are crucial to the society around to their various destinations or places of use.
What Does Maintenance Involve?
At the most basic level, it generally involves constant careful inspection to be able to detect any faults or leakage, constant cleaning especially its inside etc.Below is a breakdown of some of the aspects of pipeline maintenance.
- Pipe Inspection: Aside the basic visual inspection, which of course should be done by a professional, there is another type of inspection that is done using what is known as a smart pig. This is object is moved about using a cable or by the pressure exerted by the product being transported to move about the pipes gathering information about it. There also is a cleaning pig that is used for cleaning purposes.
- Corrosion Prevention: The aim in this activity is preventive in nature and the effort is to prevent corrosion in the first place. Corrosion (which generally occurs when metals react with electrochemical substances in the environment) is the number one challenge in pipe maintenance.Sometimes, an electrostatic current on low voltage is run through the metal as a preventive measure.
- Making Repairs: This particular aspect becomes necessary in order to correct any damage discovered during inspection. This point where corrosion and leakage challenges are fixed is mainly done by reinforcing the steel material using steel repair sleeves or composite wraps.
- Continuous Commitment: This is a continuous process that never really ends as long as the pipeline is still functional. Thus, even when not in use it should still be constantly serviced and monitored.
- Distant Monitoring: Though physical inspection is crucial and a constant, there currently are ways to do this from a distance. One method is the use of Acoustic technologies and digital censors that are connected to a central monitoring center and used to inspect the functionality of the pipes.
- Retiring the Pipeline: This is the final phase of care given to any pipelinewhen with proper monitoring it is rightly determined to no longer be fit for use. It can however also be decommissioned on occasions where it would not be used for a long period of time and then recommissioned whenever it is set to be put back to use.
Why Is Maintenance Necessary?
There are many reasons why maintenance is necessary some of which are listed below.
- Prevent Damage to the Environment: In the event that the corrosion of the metal goes unchecked, and it starts cracking or leaking and in a worst case scenario ruptures, the leakage can be harmful to the environment and to humans too.
- To Prevent Explosions: Where there is no proper monitoring and care of the pipeline, itcan get over pressured and this alone can lead to an explosion with fatal repercussions. Again, where there is a leakage of gas, oil or other petroleum products, and the spillages from the leakage comes in contact with a heat agent or fire an explosion most likely will occur.
- To Prevent Disruption in the Chain of Service: Industries rely heavily on the movement of these products through these means for their activities to run. Therefore, where things are left unchecked and there is a breakdown in the daily functions, all parties involved in the transaction suffer andthis can heavily impact negatively on a company’s fortunes.
How to Hire the Right Repair Company
Obviously, as with any sphere of life, there are lots of service providers in this field and all are jostling for your attention. The question now is, depending on the unique challenge that you are facing now, how do you choose from the various pipeline repair services currently available for you?
The following are tips to guide you
- Hire a tested and trusted repair service with a rich history of quality service delivery
- Hire a repair service with a team of highly qualified and capable hands with the right blend of skill and experience to go with it.
- Look for a team that can respond speedily in the case of emergencies as time is of the essence in such situations.
- Choose a team that has diverse areas of specializations as this is usually an indication that the team is loaded with people of great expertise.
- Hire a team that can manage emergencies as these situations do occur from time to time
- Finally, hire a team with the right and most updated equipment available.
Conclusion
Prevention is said to be better than cure. This is the primary reason why proper maintenance of pipelines should be embarked upon on a regular basis.
However, where there is already some damage, this should be attended to very promptly. This is the more reason why you must ensure you have a very capable and reliable pipeline maintenance company on your speed dial.