Case Studies
For over 20 years, USI has provided protective coatings and corrosion prevention products proven to protect our nations most critical infrastructure and industrial machinery. Along the way we have documented many projects and pain points we have been able to help our partners repair, protect and upgrade.
Most Recent Articles
Ask the Experts – How to Prepare for Winter – December 4, 2024
Thank you everyone for joining in on another USI Group #TechTalk. Today we are going to be doing an “Ask the Experts” and with everything getting cold outside, we’re going to jump into getting ready for winter and what we all suggest, and best practices.
We have an article on our website that, and we are going to have a candid conversation on “How to prepare for winter”, addressing leaking pipes, bursting pipes, and things that freeze.
QUESTION:
Is there a suggestion as to what every single client should do to prepare for the winter?
TALKING POINTS:
- Visual Inspection. Find out where your weak points are, make note of it, and address it so that you can prepare before the winter does come.
- Stock up on Supplies. Make sure you have the supplies needed on your shelf, just so you are not waiting for it to come in. Make sure you are ahead of the game.
- Repair Kits. Clients in colder areas should have a patch kit, concrete repair, and with pipes, have a quick setup for that repair. Depending on the industry, the repair kit is a must have, to have on hand. Each kit comes with a group of different materials and sizes that can help out on a number of issues. It comes available in a tool box, that is easy to store in your truck or easy to store, and has everything you might need in those emergency situations.
- Concrete Repair. We are suggesting a product called “MagCrete” that will cure out at negative -15°. This can be used in freezer applications or when it is cold. It is unique that it not only works in the cold, it will work in those heat conditions and will withstand temperatures up to 2,000° F.
Client Issue:
There was a client in the Midwest that had a large amount of snow in their area, and they have shattered pipes everywhere. They utilized our “pipe wrap system” to help tackle the job that needed to be done. Our products are on the shelves and ready to go when you need them the most.
Updating your hydrocarbon cleanup plan. Spills and leaks of hydrocarbons are more common and problematic in cold weather. Learn more about our “Peat Sorb Product.”
Inspection and maintain protective coatings. We have coatings that cure out and doesn’t require much surface prep.
Slips, trips and falls are more prominent in the winter season. We suggest you repair any damaged concrete to reduce the risk of accidents.
Protecting your fleet from salt. Road salt can be extremely abrasive and caustic to vehicles.
For facilities with storage tanks, ensure that tank chimes are properly sealed to withstand the freeze/thaw cycles.
PRODUCT RECAP:
- Emergency Repair Kits
- MagCrete Rapid Set Concrete Repair
- ViscoElastics (products that can be added to a sweating pipe)
- PeatSorb (Hydrocarbon Cleanup)
- Cortec CorrBarrier (Fleet Protection)
- EZwrap
Viscoelastics with Tim Davis from Linde PLC
Today we have Tim Davis from Linde, along with Doug and Stephanie going over some Viscoelastics.
Tim Davis is the Senior Cathodic Protection Technician at Linde PLC north region, and has been there for over 10 years, and has been in the business for around 14 years. He is responsible for annual surveys (both data collection and writing technical reports) of both pipelines and in plant piping as well as any troubleshooting, damage prevention, bonds and rectifier reports, leak and right of way surveys, aboveground pipe inspections. and any other problems that may arise.
Linde is a leading global industrial gases and engineering company providing industrial gas for steel mills and BP as well as on the liquid side, hospitals, welding, etc..
There were a few questions that you absolutely have to hear the answers to; they are as follows:
- What were some of the challenges before using Viscoelastics?
- What led you to Viscoelastics solutions?
- Are there any features that stood out for you?
- What Viscoelastics have you used, and what applications are they used for?
- Do you have any project examples that used Viscoelastics?
- What improvements and benefits have you seen from using the Viscoelastics products?
- What are the biggest solutions that USI Group and Viscoelastics bring to other companies?
- Have you used it as a tank chime application yet?
- Are there any cost savings that helped Linde with these Viscoelastics solutions?
- What advice would you give to other companies that were looking for products to help solve their issues?
OPEN QUESTIONS:
Nick Cliff Question:
What are some of the common challenges of using Viscotaq?
Mark Question:
What are the perimeters for above-ground installation?
Tim Question:
What helps it get off your hands?
How to Measure Pipe Diameter and Surface Area for Plastic, Copper, and Steel Pipes
Measuring pipes accurately is crucial in plumbing, construction, and DIY projects. Here’s a guide to measuring the inside diameter (ID), outside diameter (OD), and surface area for different types of pipes. It is especially important when looking to protect against corrosion, abrasion, erosion or chemical attack. As you will need the surface area of the pipe in order to purchase the right amount of coating.
It’s also important to take the skill and familiarity of the crew applying the coating into account. For experienced crews USI suggests including a 15% waste factor when purchasing coating. For inexperienced crews we suggest a 25% waste factor.
Tech data sheets will often show a theoretical coverage rate, which is great for calculating how much you need. But those are theoretical because it doesn’t account for waste or other environmental factors.
How to Measure Pipe Size for Plastic, Copper, and Steel Pipes
Outside Diameter (OD)
- Use Calipers: For accurate readings, especially on smaller pipes, use calipers. Place the caliper jaws around the pipe’s outside edge and record the OD measurement.
- Use a Measuring Tape: Wrap a flexible measuring tape around the pipe’s circumference, dividing this by π (3.14159) to get the OD.
- Example: If the circumference is 9.42 inches, divide by 3.14159, resulting in an OD of approximately 3 inches.
- Use a piece of string: Alternatively you can use a piece of string, wrap it around the pipe and mark where it meets itself, lay the string flat and measure that with a tape measure.
Inside Diameter (ID)
- Calipers for Uninstalled Pipes: Insert calipers inside the pipe, extending them to the opposite inner edge for an ID reading.
- Using Known Wall Thickness: If the pipe is installed, subtract twice the wall thickness from the OD to get the ID.
- Example: For an OD of 3 inches and a wall thickness of 0.1 inches, the ID would be 3 – (2 × 0.1) = 2.8 inches.
How to Measure Pipe Surface Area
To calculate surface area, determine the pipe’s length and outer diameter. Use the formula for the surface area of a cylinder:
Surface Area = π × OD × Length
Example: If you have a pipe with an outer diameter of 9 inches and a length of 12 feet (144 inches).
Surface Area = π × 9in × 144in
Alternatively you can use 3.14
Surface Area = 3.14 x 9 x 144
The surface area of this example would be 4,069.44 square inches or 339.12 square feet.
This applies to copper, plastic, or steel pipes, enabling you to estimate materials for coatings or insulation.
Tips for Specific Pipes
- How to Measure Plastic Pipe Size: Plastic pipes may vary in wall thickness (Schedule 40 vs. 80). Measure both the ID and OD to confirm pipe classification.
- How to Measure Copper Pipe Size: Copper pipes often have an ID stamped on them. For accurate sizing, measure the OD and refer to copper piping tables to verify.
- How to Measure Steel Pipe Size: Steel pipes are frequently classified by nominal size, so measure the OD and ID, then consult steel pipe sizing guides to confirm size.
Conclusion
Accurate pipe measurements ensure compatibility and longevity for fittings, coatings, or repairs. For additional guidance on how to measure plastic, copper, or steel pipes, reach out to a local supplier or expert. Unconventional Solutions is always here to help if you have questions or concerns about your coating project.
