Air Springs Supply presents a range of rapidly deployed inflatable elastomer stoppers that offer pipeline engineering and maintenance staff a secure way to conduct sealing and testing operations without cutting throughput.

The need to cut throughput for the duration of the maintenance work is a frequent problem faced by operators when sealing and testing operations are carried out within pipelines. More downtime can be caused by the need to transport and install solid mechanical barriers with bracing to ensure safety during maintenance.

Pronal ORJT and ORJ inflatable elastomer stoppers supplied by Air Springs Supply offer a cost-effective solution for bypassing common pipeline testing problems.

Pronal ORJT inflatable elastomer stoppers feature bypasses that fulfil two important roles: Liquid and gas contents can continue to flow during the course of the maintenance work, with the bypasses in each stopper connected by a conduit feeding through the secure void created between the two stoppers. Alternatively, the bypasses can be used to introduce pressurised liquid or gases into the void created between the stoppers, providing a testing media to detect leakage.

ORJ stoppers are designed for applications that don’t require bypasses but can be rapidly deployed, easily transported and widely applied in remote, temporary and permanent industrial situations, similar to the ORJT models. The ORJ stoppers are suitable for all types of pipelines including concrete, cast iron, steel, stainless steel and PVC.

Each stopper size can fit several pipe diameters in the 45-1200mm range. Featuring flexible and strong vulcanised construction that moulds into the inside circumference of pipelines as the stoppers are pressurised, Pronal ORJT and ORJ models provide complete tightness and high safety thanks to large contact areas and circumferential rings.

Air Springs Supply National Marketing Manager Mr James Maslin explains that the Pronal ORJT and ORJ stoppers are extremely strong and durable in service, being hot vulcanised in a mould to give excellent service life. In addition to providing advantages such as simplicity, portability and reuse, the stoppers also eliminate the need for maintenance staff to carry huge amounts of gear on-site. The stoppers are easy to transport around plants as well as remote locations, where they can be used repeatedly.

Mr Maslin adds that the stoppers are an ideal method to achieve compliance in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

Pronal ORJT and ORJ stoppers are part of a broader range of Pronal maintenance and spill prevention stoppers available from Air Springs Supply in stock sizes to fit pipelines up to 2115mm inside diameter, along with custom-produced models for pipelines over 3000mm ID.