Category: Case Studies

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Case Study: Industrial Metal Repairs a Large Gouge to Refurbish a Drill Base Stand

Industrial Metal used to repair a severely damaged drill base stand

Drill and fill – the repair and refurbishment of a badly damaged second-hand drill base stand

An engineer refurbished a second-hand drill base stand at a fraction of the cost of buying new, using Industrial Metal Epoxy Paste to repair a large gouge caused by the previous owner’s misuse.

Case Study Data

Repair Type
Metal repair and refurbishment
Defect
Large gouge in a drill base stand

Products Used

Industrial Metal Epoxy Paste
Epoxy paste used to fill the significant gouge suffered by the drill base

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Case Study Review

The stand was suffering from a significant gouge where the drill had frequently been allowed to penetrate the base by the previous owner, who as a result had subsequently decided to sell the stand.

It was otherwise in good condition, meaning that if the engineer who bought the stand could refurbish it, then he would have a working second-hand drill base at a fraction of the cost of purchasing new stock.

After consulting Sylmasta, it was decided that Industrial Metal Epoxy Paste would be the most suitable material for filling in the gouge and returning the base to close to its original state.

A large crack in a drill base stand which required a repair to refurbish the stand to its original state
The large gouge in the drill base stand requiring repair

Industrial Metal is thixotropic, meaning it will not sag. It is virtually odourless, with no unpleasant smell compared to other epoxy pastes.

It is temperature resistant to 130°C and reinforced with corrosion-resistant metal platelets, giving it a smoother finish than regular epoxy repair pastes when machined.

The gouge in the stand requiring repair had penetrated right through the base. To prevent the Industrial Metal falling onto the floor as it was applied, a wooden plate was placed underneath the gouge.

Wooden plates fashioned to assist the application of Industrial Metal

Further wood was used to ensure that the necessary gaps included as part of the base’s design did not inadvertently become filled by the epoxy paste.

Before using Industrial Metal, the drill base had to undergo a degree of preparation. All traces of rust and grime were removed from the surface, which was then roughed up using abrasives.

Industrial Metal was applied as soon as the preparation stage was complete. The epoxy paste was pushed into the gouge using a hand tool, with the work time of 60 minutes allowing more of the paste to be mixed and applied without the threat of premature curing.

Industrial Metal Epoxy Paste applied to fill in a large crack in a drill base stand repair and refurbishment
Industrial Metal applied to fill the gouge
Completed repair of a drill base stand using Industrial Metal Epoxy Paste
The completed repair was sanded down to an ultra-smooth finish

A full cure was achieved in 24 hours, after which the surface of the drill stand was sanded down to provide an ultra-smooth finish which was seamless with the rest of the base. The rebuild using epoxy paste had been a complete success.

If you have an application you would like to enquire about, then please get in touch

Call: +44 (0)1444 831 459
Email: sales@sylmasta.com

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Case Study: Repair of an 80mm Split to a Plastic Hose Supplying Water to a Pond

A longitudinal split in a plastic hose supplying water to a bond undergoes repair with a SylWrap Universal Pipe Repair Kit

Not sleeping with the fishes – a lengthy split in a plastic hose supplying water to a pond undergoes repair

During landscaping work, a pruning saw caused serious damage across a 300mm area of an unnoticed plastic hose supplying water to a pond, including a 80mm longitudinal split requiring repair.

Case Study Data

Site
Domestic Property
Location
United Kingdom
Repair Type
Leak repair
Defect
80mm longitudinal split and 300mm of damage to a plastic supply hose

Products Used

Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape
Self-fusing silicone repair tape used to seal the split and other leaks

SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage
Composite repair wrap provided an impact resistant layer to protect the repair and the hose

SylWrap Universal Pipe Repair Kit
The property owner was supplied with a Universal Pipe Repair Kit containing both products

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Case Study Details

The pond was on a property cut into the side of a hill with a retaining wall behind it. The roots of shrubs, ivy, and other plants and weeds above the wall were beginning to cause damage to the structure and so the property owner decided to cut some of them away with a pruning saw.

Unfortunately, the owner did not realise that buried just beneath the soil was a hose made from industrial grade plastic supplying water to the pond. As they attempted to remove the shrubs using the saw, they inadvertently cut into the hose.

A plastic hose inadvertently cut into with a pruning saw prior to undergoing a SylWrap repair
Water spraying from the 80mm split in the plastic hose

The damage to the hose was severe with a 80mm longitudinal split from which pressurised water was spraying out. There were several smaller leaks either side of the main split, leaving a 300mm area of hose requiring repair.

Gaining access to make a hose repair was extremely difficult because of the roots, the shrubs and the proximity of the retaining wall. To repair the split in the plastic hose, a versatile solution was therefore needed.

The split in the hose once water pressure had been turned off

Sylmasta supplied the property owner with a SylWrap Universal Pipe Repair Kit for sealing live leaks, containing SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage and Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape. An additional roll of Wrap & Seal was included due to the 300mm coverage of the repair area.

Water supply was turned off and the hose was cleaned to remove all traces of soil. A plastic sheet was then placed underneath the hose to prevent any further soil or grit being picked up during the application of the Wrap & Seal, which was wrapped across the entire damaged section.

Despite the space constraints around the hose, the Wrap & Seal was successfully stretched by the maximum 300 percent. It fused to form a solid rubber band which sealed the 80mm split and the other smaller leaks present.

The repair was finished by wrapping SylWrap HD over the Tape. The water-activated composite repair wrap provided a rock hard, impact resistant layer in minutes to protect the hose prior to it being reburied in the ground.

Completed repair of a leaking plastic hose suffering from a 30mm longitudinal split
Completed repair of the split plastic hose

Completing the repair took less than 30 minutes and cost under £40. Afterwards, the property owner contacted Sylmasta to say: “There are no longer any leaks in the hose, so I am very happy with the repair.”

“SylWrap is an excellent piece of kit which I wish I had come across years ago and the technical assistance I received from Sylmasta was very much appreciated.”

If you have an application you would like to enquire about, then please get in touch

Call: +44 (0)1444 831 459
Email: sales@sylmasta.com

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Case Study: Reinforcement of Weakened 22 Degree Cast Iron Pipe Elbows

Reinforcement of 22 degree elbows on cast iron water mains carried out by Sylmasta

Ending a potentially explosive situation – Sylmasta provide reinforcement for pipe elbows following a blowout in a valve chamber

A blowout in a valve chamber in Grimsby, United Kingdom, alerted a water company to the fact that numerous 22 degree 450mm cast iron pipe elbows were below specification and required urgent reinforcement to prevent further incidents occurring.

Case Study Data

Site
Valve Chamber
Location
Grimsby, United Kingdom
Repair Type
Elbow joint reinforcement
Defect
Below specification 22 degree elbow joints on 450mm cast iron water mains

Products Used

Liquid Metal Epoxy Coating
Offered protection to the pipework from factors such as corrosion and created a PCC-2 compliant load transfer layer with SylWrap HD.

SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage
10 layer application reinforced each elbow joint by providing an impact-resistant protective sleeve.

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Case Study Details

Numerous large diameter water mains made from cast iron were operated by the water company with most of these approximately 50 years old.

After an incident in a valve chamber in Grimsby where a 22 degree bend on a 450mm main blew apart, analysis of the cast iron showed that the original castings were below specification.

The incident was believed to have occurred when the water main pump from the reservoir to the treatment works stopped and the non-return valve closed, causing a pressure surge which peaked at 10 bar from zero.

Analysis of the cast iron pieces showed no corrosion along the crack lines. The blowout was therefore most likely caused by the low strength of the original casting which had a hardness of only 107.

To prevent similar incidents occurring again, the water company needed to carry out reinforcement of all remaining pipe elbows of the same specification.

  • Pipework in a valve chamber where Sylmasta carried out the reinforcement of 22 degree cast iron pipe elbows
Pipework in the Grimsby valve chamber

The length of the repair area was 350mm between flanges and the application needed to withstand 8 bar operating pressure with fluctuations up to the 10 bar which had caused the original blowout.

Sylmasta advised using Liquid Metal Epoxy Coating and SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage to strengthen the elbow joints against future pressure surges and other factors including corrosion.

Each pipe was cleaned prior to being coated with Liquid Metal, a metal-filled brushable epoxy which sets to a smooth, metallic, hard-wearing surface over pipework.

Coating the elbow joints with Liquid Metal provided corrosion protection and improved adhesion between the pipework and the SylWrap HD Bandage, creating a PCC-2 compliant load-transfer layer.

10 layers of SylWrap HD were then applied over the Liquid Metal. SylWrap HD is a composite repair wrap with a water-activated resin which sets rock hard in minutes, providing reinforcement to pipework pressure resistant to 30bar.

  • Reinforcement of elbow joints in a valve chamber made using Liquid Metal Epoxy Coating and SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage

Each elbow joint could be reinforced in two to three hours and there was no need to turn off the water supply to complete an application. Sylmasta’s repair saved the water company considerable money compared to replacing the below specification pipework and the necessary shutdown of equipment.

After the repair, the strategic water operations manager told Sylmasta: “The wrapping materials have proved central to our project in securing the structural condition of some 22 degree bends found to be in weak condition.”

“The early success of the project in Grimsby has seen it already adopted by other sites in our network, with Hartlepool also happy with it as a preventative measure and more to follow.”

If you have an application you would like to enquire about, then please get in touch

Call: +44 (0)1444 831 459
Email: sales@sylmasta.com

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Case Study: Extending the Life of 20m Pipe Bridges Through Leak Repair & Reinforcement

Pipe bridges leaking from rusting riveted joints undergo a leak repair and reinforcement using SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage

Bridging the gap until replacement – the lifespan of two leaking pipe bridges is extended with a SylWrap leak and reinforcement repair

The complex repair of numerous corroded leaking joints on two 20m gravity-fed pipe bridges is followed by the entire reinforcement of both bridges to extend lifespan and offer maximum gain on investment.

Case Study Data

Site
Pipe Bridges
Location
Lancashire, United Kingdom
Repair Type
Leak repair & pipeline reinforcement
Defect
1.5m x 20m pipe bridge and 1.8m x 20m pipe bridge leaking from corroded riveted joints

Products Used

Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape
Self-fusing silicone repair tape used to seal the numerous leaks on the two pipe bridges.

SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage
Four-layer application over the entire length of the bridges for protection, strengthening and life-extension.

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Case Study Details

The two gravity-fed pipe bridges in Lancashire which were constructed of steel riveted plates had become corroded over time. They were now leaking in several places, allowing foul wastewater to fall into a stream below.

Although it was planned to replace these pipe bridges at some point in the future, an immediate solution was required to stop the leaks. At the same time, the lifespan of the bridges also needed extending so that maximum benefit could be gained from the investment required for such a complex repair.

Pipe Bridge in Lancashire, UK prior to undergoing a SylWrap repair and reinforcement application
One of the pipe bridges prior to undergoing repair

These complexities included building scaffolding on the riverbed and sourcing materials for the repair and reinforcement of such substantial pipe bridges: one being 1.5m x 20m and the other 1.8m x 20m.

A previous attempt had been made to seal some of the leaking joints using ratchet straps with a rubber pad. These however had proven unsuccessful and further leaks had appeared since.

A pipe bridge leaking from rusting joints before undergoing a SylWrap repair and and reinforcement
A previous repair attempt had been made the the leaking riveted joint

Sylmasta were consulted on the repair, and it was decided that Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape would be used over the leak areas. Wrap & Seal is a heavy duty repair tape made from self-amalgamating silicone which, when stretched by 300 percent across a leak, forms a tight rubber seal. Multiple layers increase the pressure applied until the leak stops.

Once all leaks had been addressed, the entire structure was wrapped with SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage. SylWrap HD is a composite repair wrap with a water-activated resin which sets rock hard in minutes, providing protection and reinforcement to pipework.

Pipe bridge leak repair and reinforcement carried out using SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage
Completed repair of the first pipe bridge
Repair of first pipe bridge as seen from underneath

Four layers of SYL1266HD (300mm x 20m) were applied to each of the pipe bridges along their 20m length, providing a substantial protective sleeve, completing the repair and guarding against future leakage and corrosion.

Although the utilities company responsible for the pipe bridges were only seeking a temporary solution, using SylWrap HD in the repair provided reinforcement and additional strength which will last for 20 years.

Repair of the second pipe bridge with scaffolding erected

Once the repair was completed, it was estimated that a saving of approximately £250,000 had been made compared to the cost of replacing both pipe bridges, so Sylmasta’s solution was very much welcomed by all involved.

If you have an application you would like to enquire about, then please get in touch

Call: +44 (0)1444 831 459
Email: sales@sylmasta.com

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Case Study: Leak Repair & Encapsulation of a Steel & Iron Welded Pipe Joint

Pipe repair of a central heating system in a church which had begun to leak around a welded joint suffering from corrosion

Good deed done – Sylmasta answer a church’s prayers with a welded pipe leak repair and encapsulation

A church central heating system had suffered heavy damage caused by corrosion and begun leaking at the point where a 100mm cast iron pipe met a 50mm steel pipe via a welded steel plate, leading to a challenging leak repair and encapsulation application.

Case Study Data

Site
Church
Location
United Kingdom
Repair Type
Leak Repair
Defect
Leaking welded joint between a 100mm cast iron pipe, a 50mm steel pipe, and a 6mm steel plate

Products Used

Sylmasta AB Original Epoxy Putty
Epoxy putty with two-hour work time allowing for careful application and watertight encapsulation of the leaking joint

Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape
Self-fusing silicone repair tape used initially to seal leaks on the 100mm cast iron pipe

SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage
Applied over Wrap & Seal to provide a rock hard, impact-resistant layer to the initial repair.

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Case Study Details

Several years previously, the central heating system in the church had undergone renovations when a 100mm cast iron pipe had been stepped down to a 50mm steel pipe.

To facilitate this, a 6mm thick steel plate had been attached to the end of the larger cast iron pipe with a hole cut into the middle, through which the smaller steel pipe was attached and welded.

Since the work had been carried out, the system had become badly corroded and was now leaking from numerous areas around the welded joint.

When a similar problem had developed on another heating pipe, the church had fitted a pipe repair clamp at considerable expense. Such a repair method was not possible on this occasion as the new leak was in a restricted space with no room for a clamp to be applied.

Initially, the church called in welders to try and fix the problem, but this just caused further leakage and left an even more uneven pipe surface needing to be sealed.

Diagram showing the repair in question

The main leak was between the steel plate and the 100mm cast iron pipe with particularly heavy corrosion at the point where they met. Once the corrosion was filed back, this was relatively straightforward to repair using a SylWrap Universal Pipe Repair Kit.

Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape was applied around the pipe, fusing to form a solid rubber band over the problem area to seal the leak. This was then overwrapped with a SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage, providing a rock hard, impact resistant shell to reinforce the initial repair.

More challenging was the repair of the joint between the smaller 50mm steel pipe and the steel plate. Here, leaking was caused by uneven welding, whilst a threaded section of pipe close by was also suffering from a leak.

It became clear that a softer repair material was needed to smear into the threaded section and to penetrate into the weld. Because of the complexity of the repair, Sylmasta recommended Sylmasta AB Original Epoxy Putty.

  • Leaking 100mm cast iron pipe prior to repair
  • Sylmasta AB Original Epoxy Putty used to encasuplate a leaking welded joint as part of a pipe repair application
    Completed repair with AB Original encapsulating the welded joint

AB Original is a smooth-setting epoxy with a two hour cure time. This longer working time allowed for the putty to be more carefully applied, encapsulating the whole section where the 100mm pipe, the 50mm pipe, and the steel plate all met.

The church were supplied with 1kg of Sylmasta AB, more than enough for their application. Unused AB Original stays fresh when left in its original packaging, ensuring the church has a supply of epoxy putty for any future applications.

Sylmasta AB Original putty was smoothed over the welded joint, filling in all imperfections and sealing all leak areas. It has excellent corrosion resistance, further protecting the pipe from future attack, and provided a smooth, ceramic-like finish to the application.

When the church first contacted Sylmasta, they had been looking for a repair method that would temporarily fix the leaking central heating system until funds allowed for either a longer lasting solution or for a new pipe to be installed.

Instead, the repair provided by Sylmasta will be permanent and was made at a fraction of the cost of other options, saving the church a considerable amount of money.

If you have an application you would like to enquire about, then please get in touch

Call: +44 (0)1444 831 459
Email: sales@sylmasta.com

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Case Study: Badly Soldered Domestic Copper Pipe Leaking Joint Repair

Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape used to repair a domestic copper pipe leaking from badly soldered joints

Soldering saviour – A Wrap & Seal repair to a long-term leaking copper pipe joint caused by shoddy soldering

After ignoring a leaking joint on a badly soldered copper pipe for a prolonged period of time, a property owner was spurred into carrying out a repair once it became known that escaping water had begun rotting wooden floorboards and a joist underneath the leak area.

Case Study Data

Site
Domestic property
Location
United Kingdom
Repair Type
Leak Repair
Defect
Leaking joint on a 22mm copper pipe

Products Used

Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape
Self-fusing silicone repair tape which formed a solid, watertight seal around the joint

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Case Study Details

The problem pipe was a 22mm copper perimeter heating pipe which had been boxed in behind a grill. Poor soldering had caused it to leak, but the property owner deemed the water escaping to be so minimal that they did not feel it worth either attempting a repair themselves or going to the trouble and expense of hiring a plumber.

After a significant period of time, the joint in question had leaked enough to rot away woodwork both underneath and around the pipe. Wooden flooring below had been badly impacted with the leak starting to cause damage to the joists further down.

To prevent the leak causing further deterioration to nearby wood, the property owner now needed to carry out a leak repair to the pipe. They were still keen to minimise cost and so came to Sylmasta, who recommended Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape for the application.

  • A badly soldered copper pipe was leaking from a joint before Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape was used to seal the problem area

Wrap & Seal is made from self-fusing silicone and stretches by 300 percent. When wrapped around a pipe, it forms a solid rubber band over holes, cracks, and leaking joints.

Having cleaned the pipe completely, the property owner applied Wrap & Seal around the badly soldered joint, ensuring a tight seal to permanently repair the leak.

The repair was completed in under 30 minutes. The property owner said afterwards had they known that fixing a leaking joint could be so straightforward, they would never have ignored the leak or left the problem unrepaired for so long.

If you have an application you would like to enquire about, then please get in touch

Call: +44 (0)1444 831 459
Email: sales@sylmasta.com

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Case Study: Chip Filler Repair to a Damaged £500 Designer Bar Stool Made of SMC

A homeowner uses Sylmasta AB Original Epoxy Putty as a filler to repair a chip in an SMC designer bar stool

Money for the bar – a Sylmasta AB Epoxy Putty filler repair to a chip in an SMC bar stool saves a homeowner £222

When a designer bar stool made of a difficult-to-repair compound called SMC suffered a chip after it was knocked over, the owner sought a cost-effective DIY filler repair method after being quoted £222 by a restoration company.

Case Study Data

Repair Type
SMC filler repair
Defect
Chip in designer bar stool

Products Used

Sylmasta AB Original Epoxy Putty
Epoxy putty which bonds to all materials and is easy to shape for use as a filler

Case Study PDF

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Case Study Details

The homeowner had a beloved set of white designer bar stools worth around £500 each. Their children unfortunately knocked one of the stools over whilst playing, causing a large chip to the edge of the seat made from a difficult-to-repair material called SMC.

SMC is a moulding compound with an inbuilt mould release agent which can be inconsistent, which also meant that reattaching broken fragments was unlikely to be successful.

Each bar stool cost £500. To restore the chip would have cost £220

A professional restoration company quoted £222 to make a repair. The owner therefore decided to try and find a means of making a more cost-effective DIY repair to their damaged stool.

They consulted Sylmasta, who were able to recommend the use of Sylmasta AB Original Epoxy Putty, as although there was little chance of glues or adhesives forming a suitable bond with the SMC, Sylmasta AB would be able to anchor itself into the cavity.

  • Chip in a designer bar stool made from SMC prior to undergoing a filler repair using Sylmasta AB Epoxy Putty
Chip caused to the stool when it was accidentally knocked over

Sylmasta AB Original has a two-hour work time, offering plenty of time for the epoxy putty to be moulded, shaped and applied without the threat of premature curing.

Careful application of Sylmasta AB filled the chip in the stool. The homeowner was even able to recreate the pattern of the seat, using a brush to slightly indent the putty before it set.

  • Sylmasta AB Original Epoxy Putty used to repair a chipped bar stool
  • Reapir of a chip in an SMC designer bar stool made using Sylmasta AB Epoxy Putty Filler
Sylmasta AB filled the chip and was then painted to seamlessly blend in with the seat

AB Original sets to off-white as standard, but it can be painted once cured. The owner managed to colour-match a paint to the exact colour of the bar stool, ensuring that the epoxy putty blended in seamlessly with the rest of the seat.

The repair required only one 250g kit of AB Original at a cost of just £12.60 plus carriage – a far cry from the original £222 quote provided by the restoration company.

Plenty of epoxy putty was left over, and it remains reusable when kept in its original packaging – good news in the event of any future accidents involving the £500 designer bar stools.

If you have an application you would like to enquire about, then please get in touch

Call: +44 (0)1444 831 459
Email: sales@sylmasta.com

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Case Study: Stainless Steel Pipe Repair Inside a Biomass Plant Heating Tank

A stainless steel pipe in a biomass power plant at a UK farm required a different live leak repair using a SylWrap Universal Pipe Repair Kit

SylWrap and biomass – the repair of an inaccessible stainless steel pipe in a biomass plant heating tank

Small pieces of farmyard debris had inadvertently entered a Norfolk farm’s biomass plant as part of feedstock, breaching a stainless steel pipe at the top of a 20 feet tall heating tank which now required a flexible and lightweight repair carried out from a ladder.

Case Study Data

Site
Biomass plant on an agricultural site
Location
Norfolk, United Kingdom
Repair Type
Leak Repair
Defect
Damaged stainless steel pipe

Products Used

Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape
Repair tape with high pressure and temperature resistance to seal the leak

SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage
Provided an impact-resistant layer to protect the pipe from further damage

SylWrap Universal Pipe Repair Kit
The products were supplied to the farm in a Universal Pipe Repair Kit

Case Study PDF

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Case Study Details

Anaerobic digester biomass plants are becoming more common on farms in the United Kingdom. They turn waste organic material – known as feedstock – into gas used for fuel and nutrients for crops. Feedstock can include specially grown plant matter, other waste plant material and animal manure.

At the core of a biomass plant system is its digester. Here, the feedstock is fed into an airless container where it ferments. A gas called biogas is captured from the process and used for fuel. The farm uses this fuel to power itself and can even sell surplus energy to the national grid.

The remaining material is known as digestate and is separated into liquid and solid form. The liquid digestate is sprayed back onto the farm as fertiliser. The dried-out solids have multiple uses, including in animal bedding and creating fibre plant pots.

Before adding the initial feedstock to the digester, the biomass plant on the farm in Norfolk had a pre-heating tank. Here, the farm mixed feedstock with some liquid digestate and heated it to the same temperature as the main digester. This enabled them to avoid adding cold feedstock straight to the digester, which can impact on the fermentation process.

A leaking stainless steel pipe in a biomass power plant boiler is repaired with a SylWrap Universal Pipe Repair Kit
The damaged pipe was located high up the inside of the heating tank

Multiple stainless steel pipes were located around the inside of the heating tank. It was one of these towards the very top which had become damaged when small pieces of farmyard debris had inadvertently been mixed in with the feedstock and dropped into the tank from the inlet above.

The farm’s preferred method of dealing with pipe repair applications was to weld. This though was not feasible; the leaking stainless steel pipe was located in a confined space at a height of 20 feet with access only available via a ladder.

To repair the leaking pipe in the biomass boiler power plant, the farm therefore needed a flexible repair method involving lightweight materials which could be easily applied from the top of a ladder.

The damaged section of steel pipe was only accessible from the top of a ladder

Sylmasta recommended a SylWrap Universal Pipe Repair Kit for the application. Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape was wrapped around the pipe, fusing into a solid rubber band over the leak area for a high-pressure repair.

A SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage was then applied over the top of the Wrap & Seal. SylWrap HD features a water-activated resin. It cures within five minutes to provide a rock-hard, impact resistant layer to the pipe.

The materials in the SylWrap Universal Pipe Repair Kit are temperature resistant to 200ºC, enabling the repair to withstand conditions within the heating tank. To further protect the pipe, a steel deflector plate was tied to the top of the SylWrap HD Bandage.

A steel deflector plate was tied to the top of the SylWrap HD Bandage after completion of the repair

Completing the repair took less than 30 minutes, cutting downtime of the biomass plant to a minimum. It was carried out by the farm’s own engineers, negating the need to hire contractors, and cost a fraction of fitting a replacement pipe.

The engineer in charge of the repair told Sylmasta afterwards he was pleased with how straightforward the application had been. With pipes a huge part of biomass systems and agriculture in general, Sylmasta are now advising on other ways in which their pipe repair solutions could benefit the sector.

If you have an application you would like to enquire about, then please get in touch

Call: +44 (0)1444 831 459
Email: sales@sylmasta.com

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Case Study: Argentina Oil Well 900mm Steel Pipe Surface Restoration & Repair

A 900mm steel pipe in an oil well in Argentina was badly corroded and leaking before Sylmasta carried out a repair

Well, well, well – A SylWrap pipe repair keeps the oil pumping at a well in Argentina

An oil well in Argentina needed to repair a badly corroded, ruptured 900mm steel pipe if they were to keep the oil pumping. When a pipe repair clamp failed because of the leak being positioned on a tee, they turned to a more versatile Sylmasta repair

Case Study Data

Site
Oil well
Location
Argentina
Repair Type
Leak repair and corrosion protection
Defect
Pitting and cracking on a 900mm steel pipe

Products Used

Superfast Copper Epoxy Putty Stick
Fast-working epoxy putty sealed cracks in the pipe and smoothed off pitting caused by corrosion

Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape
Repair tape with high chemical resistance used to reinforce the epoxy putty

SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage
Applied over the repair to provide a layer of protection to a vast section of pipe

Case Study PDF

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Case Study Review

The 900mm steel pipe pumped water into the well, filling it and in turn pushing oil towards the top for extraction. If the pipe was unable to supply the well with sufficient levels of water, then removing oil became extremely difficult.

Corrosion to the pipe had caused heavy pitting and a number of ruptures to appear. The oil well initially attempted to seal the pipe using two repair clamps.

A 900mm steel pipe in an oil well at Argentina with a pipe repair clamp applied
The initial repair using a pipe repair clamp failed

Problematically, the leak area was located close to a tee and a welded joint, preventing the repair clamp from working effectively.

A more flexible repair method was required and so the oil well turned to Sylmasta for a solution. Superfast Copper Epoxy Putty was used to plug the holes in the pipe and to smooth off the damage caused by corrosion, restoring the surface profile of the pipe.

A 900mm steel pipe showing signs of serious surface damage caused by corrosion
Surface damage caused to the steel pipe through corrosion
Superfast Copper Epoxy Putty applied to a leaking steel pipe in an oil well
Superfast Copper Epoxy Putty applied to seal cracks and restore surface profile

Because the exterior of the steel pipe was extremely oily, the oil well decided to reinforce the Superfast Copper with Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape.

Combining a self-fusing silicone repair tape like Wrap & Seal with Superfast Copper increased pressure resistance and chemical protection.

The entire repair was then overwrapped with SylWrap HD Pipe Bandage. The flexibility of SylWrap HD meant that it could be easily applied to the pipe around both the tee and the welded joint.

Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape applied to a 900mm steel pipe
Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape provided further pressure and chemical resistance
SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage applied to a badly corroded, leaking 900mm steel pipe at an Argentinian oil well
The repair of the 900mm steel pipe was completed with SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandages

SylWrap HD provided an impact-resistant, rock-hard layer to the repaired damage area, protecting a vast section of pipe from future corrosion, breaches, and general wear and tear.

Despite the size of the pipe and the challenges posed by the tee and welded joint, the repair was a complete success.

Within two hours, water was again filling the well. Oil extraction could resume at a fraction of what a replacement pipe would have cost in new fittings, installation and downtime whilst the oil well was out of operation.

Although this particular repair was made with Superfast Copper, Superfast Steel Epoxy Putty Stick would have been equally effective had it been available at the time.

Superfast Steel, Wrap & Seal Pipe and SylWrap HD can all be purchased as part of the SylWrap Universal Pipe Repair Kit for fixing live leaks.

If you have an application you would like to enquire about, then please get in touch

Call: +44 (0)1444 831 459
Email: sales@sylmasta.com

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Case Study: Heavily Corroded Pipe Repair Keeps a District Heating System Running

Repair of a heavily corroded pipe in a district heating system made using a SylWrap Universal Pipe Repair Kit

Winter warmer – The corroded pipe repair which kept a local council’s district heating system running

After heavy corrosion caused several breaches to pipes in a district heating system, a local council in the United Kingdom required a repair method to avoid fitting replacement parts, a process which would have left residents without heating for days in the depths of winter

Case Study Data

Site
Domestic district heating system
Location
Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Repair Type
Leak repair
Defect
Breaches caused by heavy corrosion

Products Used

Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape
Flexible waterproof repair tape sealed the breaches on even the most inaccessible sections of pipe

SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage
Applied over the Wrap & Seal for an impact resistant layer of protection to the repairs and pipework

SylWrap Universal Pipe Repair Kit
Wrap & Seal and SylWrap HD were supplied in the Universal Pipe Repair Kit

SylWrap Pipe Repair Contractor Case
For future emergencies, a Contractor Case provides enough equipment for up to six live leak repairs to pipes of all types and diameters

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District heating is the provision of hot water for heating from a central source to several houses or flats, often managed by district councils. 

The hot water is usually derived from a conventional boiler, although it may also come from a variety of sources including solar power, an incineration plant or an on-site power station.

A network of pipes runs underground both to and from the source, delivering water to the boiler and then taking the hot water into properties where it is used for heating.

Such schemes were popular in the United Kingdom in the 1960s and 1970s. Most came with a 50-year guarantee, meaning that many district heating systems are now reaching the end of their lifespan and parts subsequently need replacing.

This was the issue facing a local council in the north of England. Subsidence, damage caused by roadworks and underground flooding had led to corrosion causing several breaches to pipework within a district heating system supplying heat for a number of council-owned properties.

Water was leaking from a breach at the bottom of this section of pipe, caused by corrosion

Unfortunately for the council, the problem reached its nadir in the depths of winter. Replacing the leaking sections was therefore not feasible as it would have meant shutting the district heating system down for several days, leaving residents without any heat.

The council needed a pipe repair method which could keep the district heating system fully operational until the Spring, when the damaged pipes could be replaced once warmer weather arrived.

Sylmasta recommended the use of a SylWrap Universal Pipe Repair Kit to provide repairs temperature resistant to 200ºC and with the flexibility needed for such a challenging application, given the location of the pipework.

The pipes were located underground, requiring a flexible repair method that was effective in confined spaces

The pipes requiring repair were situated underground in extremely tight workspaces. Initially, the council had researched the possibility of using pipe repair clamps, but they realised very quickly that there would be insufficient room to manoeuvre and attach a heavy, bulky clamp to the pipes.

Working in such confined space was not a problem for the Universal Repair Kit. There were however some complications to overcome; one of the leaks was close to a welded joint which had to be worked around. Another was in a ‘low spot’ section of tunnel which remained flooded for prolonged periods of time, effectively leaving the pipe underwater.

A leaking and heavily corroded pipe in a district heating system in the UK
The second section of pipe leaking from around a welded joint

This explained the considerable damage this section had suffered – several inches of insulation material surrounding the pipe had been eaten away – as the district heating system had not been designed to undergo such environmental stress.

Despite the numerous issues that needed mastering, the Universal Kit was able to successfully repair the leaking sections. Wrap & Seal Pipe Burst Tape was applied to seal the initial breaches. The tape was stretched despite the space limitation to three times its length, after which it fused to form a solid rubber band over the leaking areas.

Successful repair of the first section of corroded pipe

A SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage was then wrapped over the top of the Pipe Burst Tape applications. SylWrap HD provided a rock hard, impact resistant layer to the initial repairs, helping to protect them from future damage caused by corrosion, building and maintenance works, or flooding of the tunnel in the low spot.

Any repair made with a Universal Pipe Repair Kit is permanent, giving the local council the option of relying on the SylWrap application if they wished to avoid going down the route of replacing the damaged section of pipe at a later date.

Repair to a welded pipe joint which was part of a district heating system in the UK
Wrap & Seal and SylWrap HD applied around the welded joint, sealing the leak on the second section

For future repairs to other district heating systems or pipes for which the council is responsible, Sylmasta recommended the use of the SylWrap Pipe Repair Contractor Case.

The Case contains enough products to make up to six live leak repairs at a cheaper cost-per-repair than buying individual Pipe Repair Kits. A Case can be easily stored on-site or on the van, meaning it is always to hand for whenever problems arise.

If you have an application you would like to enquire about, then please get in touch

Call: +44 (0)1444 831 459
Email: sales@sylmasta.com