Split Tee 4

[Frank1344]

Hello,

Recently we are engaged in design of a couple of hot taps for our Client.
Our Client's spec is considering Split Tee as a Temporary Fitting and leaves it for the last option to be considered for design the Hot Tap connection.

I bring this issue to this forum to get your ideas and opinions about this.
I am not able to find any Standard, Code, practices,.. to address such a thing.

Thanks a lot,
Frank
Calgary, Alberta

 

[pennpiper]

I have used split tees for many hot tap applications in general refinery services and had no problems. Check with T. D. Williams or other "Tapping" companys for their recommendations.

 

[pennpiper]

OOPs, my mistake Its T. D Willianson and here is the link.

http://www.tdwilliamson.com/hottaptdw/fittings/tapplugwater.htm

 

[Frank1344]

Thank you.
And this means none of these hot taps were replaced with regular fittings after plant shut down?

 

[pennpiper]

No, as far as I know they were not. There would be no need to do that and it would be extra cost for people who really pinch their pennys.

 

[11echo]

We use spit tees pretty regularly here in the California oil fields. They are not a "temporary" fitting. They are attached to the pipeline, a hot-tap operation is done, and they become apart of the pipeline. "pennpiper" has given you a GOOD outlet for parts and tech. help on spit tees, we almost use T.D.Williams exclusively for these types of operations. Good Luck! ...Mark

 

[Frank1344]

Thank you both.

 

[BigInch]

Definitely Permanent.

Going the Big Inch!

http://virtualpipeline.spaces.msn.com

 

[spayette]

A few other thoughts concerning split tees for hot taps.

If crevice corrosion is an issue, split tees should not be used since the annular space between the header and the tee is exposed to the process fluid. In our experience, which includes hundreds of hot taps in a refinery, the preference is to use full encirclement saddles, instead of tees, since the saddle is not wetted by the process. If the branch size is much smaller than the header size then often Weld-o-lets can be used.

Also if split tees are selected as the fitting of choice, it is advisable to evaluate the eccentricity of the hoop stress path at the circumferential fillet welds since this stress is always present for lapped joints. Often this calculation dictates the thickness of the fitting. Likely TDW can help you in this regard.

If you choose to use a full encirclement saddle then I would suggest the following website as a supplier of fittings and also as a hot tap installation contractor.

http://www.teamindustrialservices.com

Both saddles and split tees are considered permanent installations.