Many companies provide their own solutions without analysing the risks. This can lead to dangerous unforeseen situations.

Dhatec, specialist in line-pipe logistics, has acknowledged these problems and has done extensive research to develop a range of solutions. The result is a series of developments which improve pipe storage all over the world.

To protect both people and pipes, Dhatec has developed a storage system in line with its transport system. The storage system is engineered to hold more weight and should be used on an even area. In this system pipes are raised from the ground, which prevents moisture penetration from beneath. This moisture could cause corrosion on uncoated pipes. The blocks that support the pipes are made of a PE material and will not damage the external surface of the pipe or coating while the pipes are stored.

The pipe clamp is another recent development to prevent the pipes from rolling. The pipe clamp is designed to keep pipes from rolling without damaging the internal coating. It also has the added advantage that it can be used for different wall thicknesses.

Article continues below…

Closing the pipe during storage also brings many advantages – the pipes will not only stay free from dust, insects and small animals, but also from rain, resulting in less corrosion on the internal surface of the pipe. To close off a pipe a bevel protector can be used that will clamp a foil or plug inside the pipe. An advantage of the bevel protector is that it will also protect the pipe-end against physical shocks.

If the humidity inside the pipe is maintained at a low level, the corrosion can be brought down to almost zero. To establish the lower humidity several desiccant bags could be placed inside the pipe before closing it. With an indicator attached on the inside of the plug, one can see from the outside if the humidity is still acceptable or not.

The last issue in storage, according to research, is the influence of the sun on the coating layer. Continuous direct UV radiation will eventually cause the coating to degrade and the coating will lose its primary function, namely the protection of the pipe. To keep the sun’s direct UV radiation away from the pipes, a special sheet can be placed over the pipes that will reflect or absorb the UV radiation.

So, it can be concluded that pipe storage contains more than meets the eye. The main purposes of pipe protection are safety for everyone involved, avoiding both moisture and a high humidity inside the pipes and protecting the pipe and coating.

The safety of everyone involved should come first and can be easily established using well-engineered solutions to store the pipes and to prevent them from rolling. Moisture and humidity levels can be controlled by lifting the pipes from the ground and closing them after filling them with desiccant bags. The pipe and its coating should be protected from physical shocks and from direct sunlight.

Dutch company Dhatec is now able to deliver not only pipe-end protection, but protection for all pipes from pipe mill to storage to their final destination.