Line tap fitting

[MFranklin]

I need help identify a source for a fitting. A company I worked for about 10 years ago used these.

It was a 't' shaped fitting, you would weld one cross arm of the tee to the pipe, the other arm has a threaded cap that covers what resembled a valve stem, it was actually a piercing rod. You would screw the rod all the way in, pierce the pipe, then unscrew it, to expose the hole in the pipe.

The stem backseats and the cap goes back on. The third leg of the tee serves as the process connection. We used them to create a point to pump down systems that didn't have a valve in the right spot.

This was in ammonia refrigeration piping so the max. pressures was 250 psig.

I have tried searching the web but I haven't had much luck, either oil field hot taps for 12" pipe or something to hook up the ice maker on my refrigerator.

It could be that I'm calling it by the wrong name, or it could be illegal.

Any ideas?

Mike

 

[ApC2Kp]

MFranklin,

Grainger catalog from 1999 shows two items.

Line piercing and charging valves, by Sealed Unit Parts Co.

which has clamped seal to the tubing / pipe.

Refrigeration access valve, Aurora brand, which has soldered joint to the tubing / pipe.

There are similar tapping valves for water or natural gas services depending on size of branch connection needed.

Mueller tapping sleeves and tapping valves, service clamps, and mechanical attachments are more like the water tubing connection for the ice maker.

The 'hot tap' machines from T.D. Williams, or Team Indus., or PLIDCO would be for the oil field hot taps, steam lines, etc.