Oil States Industries,

HydroTech Division

GPS-24-01

General Product Specification for

Pipe Insulating Joint (PIJ)

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22-Apr-98

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Oil States Industries,

HydroTech Division
Date: 28-July-98

Pipe Insulating Joint

GSP-24-01

Rev: 1
Page 2 of 5

ON O

General Product Specification, GPS-24-01, defines the specifications for

HydroTech systems standard Pipe Insulating Joints. Pipe Insulating Joints
with alternate requirements can be designed and manufactured but are
outside the scope of this document, although this Specification may be
referenced in part.
1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A Pipe Insulating Joint (PIJ), illustrated in Figure 1, is a high resistance

monolithic or monoblock fitting used to electrically isolate sections of a
pipeline. The primary purpose of electrical isolation is to improve the
effectiveness of cathodic protection systems and to reduce ground loop
currents. Unlike insulating flanges or flange kits which are usually field
assembled and tested, the PIJ is factory assembled, electrical tested at five
different stages of manufacturing and hydrostatically tested. The PIJ is
provided with Extension Nipples, matching the pipeline wall and grade, of
sufficient length to eliminate any possibility of thermal damage to the
Fitting during field welding.
The monolithic design of the PIJ results in a pipe fitting having high cyclic
bending strength integrity. This aspect is particularly important for
offshore pipeline riser applications where cyclic loading is common. The
integrity of the PIJ is further enhanced by the use of high temperature
fluorocarbon (Viton) seals and insulation of high pressure glass filled
structural epoxy laminate. The clean monolithic profile will not trap
moisture and reduces the possibility of crevice corrosion. This is an
additional advantage of the monolithic design over conventional insulating
flanges in offshore pipeline applications.
HydroTech Systems maintains an inventory of Pipe Insulating Joints up to
900 ANSI ratings in nominal sizes from 4 inch to 8 inch with schedule 80
bores and API 5L Grade B pipe Extension Nipples. Pipe Insulating Joints
can be designed and manufactured for any size pipeline.
2. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
Pipe Insulating Joints designed to this General Product Specification are in
accordance with the ASME Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 1,
unless another recognized code is specified by the purchaser. A PIJ is
designed to be at least as strong as a comparable rated pipeline when
subjected to external loads.

Oil States Industries,

HydroTech Division
Date: 28-July-98

Pipe Insulating Joint

GSP-24-01

Rev: 1
Page 3 of 5

ON O

The electrical resistance, leakage current and breakdown voltage is a

function of the insulating material, insulator thickness and capacitance.
The electrical resistance of the PIJ is at least 40 megohms with 1000 VDC
applied potential and the maximum leakage current, with 2500 VAC (60
Hz) applied potential, is 5 mA. The dielectric strength (breakdown voltage)
of the PIJ is designed to be in excess of 20,000 volts.

3. MATERIALS AND COATINGS

Standard materials for Pipe Insulating Joints are tabulated below along
with the appropriate HydroTech Material Specification (HMS). The
appropriate standard material for a particular PIJ End Flange, Retainer
Flange and Hub is based on the matching pipeline material grade. The PIJ
Assembly is externally protected by three coats of high build epoxy per
HydroTech Coating Specification, HCS-4. Bare internal surfaces and buttweld preparations are coated with a temporary rust preventive per HCS-6.
Component

End Flange

Hub

Retainer Flange

Material
ASTM
A105
(HMS-1)
matching pipe grades up to
including API 5L-X42
ASTM A694 Gr F46 or Gr
(HMS-16, CL 1 or 2)
matching pipe grades above
5L-X42
ASTM
A105
(HMS-1)
matching pipe grades up to
including API 5L-X42
ASTM A694 Gr F46 or Gr
(HMS-16, CL 1 or 2)
matching pipe grades above
5L-X42
ASTM
A105
(HMS-1)
matching pipe grades up to
including API 5L-X42
ASTM A694 Gr F46 or Gr
(HMS-16, CL 1 or 2)

for
and
F52
for
API
for
and
F52
for
API
for
and
F52
for

Oil States Industries,

HydroTech Division
Date: 28-July-98

Pipe Insulating Joint

GSP-24-01

Rev: 1
Page 4 of 5

ON O

matching pipe grades above API

5L-X42

API 5L-Grade to match pipeline

Glass filled epoxy laminate,
NEMA Gr G10
Aluminum oxide filled resin
Insulation Epoxy
Molded Viton (HMS-14)
O-Ring Seals
When the pipeline has an uncommon wall thickness, grade or special
material requirements, pipe for the Extension Nipples intended to match
the pipeline, must be supplied by the purchaser.
Extension Nipples
Insulator Rings

4. QUALITY ASSURANCE
The part and heat number of each PIJ End Flange, Hub, Retainer Flange
and Extension Nipple
are steel stamped. Each Assembly also has a unique serial number
stamped on the outside
diameter of the Retainer Flange for complete material traceability.
Dimensional inspection
reports and material test reports for each component are maintained on
file.
The welds to the Extension Nipples are 100% radiographically examined
per ASME Section
VIII, Division 1, Part UW-51 and the End Flange-to-Retainer Flange weld is
ultrasonically
examined per ASME Section VIII, Division 1, Appendix 12.
In accordance with HydroTech Quality Assurance Procedure, HQA-496, the
insulating
characteristics of each PIJ is tested before welding, after welding and after
injecting with epoxy.
Each PIJ is then hydrostatically tested to 1.5 times the design pressure for
a minimum of 1 hour
and the insulating characteristics are tested twice more per HydroTech
Quality Assurance

Oil States Industries,

HydroTech Division
Date: 28-July-98

Pipe Insulating Joint

GSP-24-01

Rev: 1
Page 5 of 5

ON O

Procedure, HQA-489. The final two tests of the insulating characteristics

are conducted after
hydrostatically testing and finally after coating.

Upon request, up to two sets of Quality Assurance documentation will be

provided for all Pipe
Insulating Joints. The documentation shall consist of the following:

Certificate of Conformance
Material Test Reports for pressure containing components
NDE Reports for radiography of welds
NDE Report for ultrasonic examination of weld
PIJ Epoxy Injection Procedure, HQA-496
Acceptance Test Procedure, HQA-489, and Test Chart
Heat Sketch for each pressure containing component identifying:
Part number
H number (traceable to vendor heat number)
Serial number
HydroTech purchase order number
HydroTech sales order number

5. ORDERING INFORMATION
The following minimum information must be specified on any request for
quotation or purchase order for a PIJ intended to meet this General
Product Specification, GPS-24-01.
Nominal pipe size
Pipe wall thickness or bore
Pipe grade
Design rating
Revision Record

Oil States Industries,

HydroTech Division
Date: 28-July-98

Pipe Insulating Joint

GSP-24-01
#

Revision
1

Date
July 1998

Page
Page 2,
Section 2,
Second
Paragraph

Rev: 1
Page 6 of 5

Revision Detail
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