PurgElite Inflatable Purging Systems

PurgElite Inflatable Purging Systems offer an Easy and economical way to purge pipes and tubes

• Optional PurgeGate Valve (Highly Recommended) acts as an anti-burst device and protects bladders from bursting due to overinflation or over pressurizing. Now in a new Heavy duty design.

• Optional Hose potection Sleeve when ordered is supplied pre-installed on the purge hose connecting two bladders making it heat resistant to 982 Deg C and protecting the hsoe from heat and splatter.
• Optional Heat Resistant Covers can be mounted on the bladders and increase their temperature tolearance to 300 Deg C
• Optional Additional hose lengths can be supplied to increase distance between the two dams, due to long bends, or to position bladders away from heat.
• Optional Argon Supply hose in any lengths, fitted with fittings to connect to PurgElite system. Standard lengths available are 25′,50′,75′,100′ and 150′.
• Bladders also avaialble with Multi-Exhaus ports for applications that require additional purge gas and high rates of purging.

PurgElite Inflatable Weld Purge Bladders – Construction & Use

PurgElite Inflatable Pipe Purging bladders have two  purge bladders or dams connected by a new design inert gas purging tube. The inert gas purges air, gases as well as other unwanted vapours, out of the space between the dams with inert gas.

The system features a ‘new’ design low profile non-metallic valve. In addition, these systems have no raised metal parts making them ideal for use in a wide range of industries that would normally use internally polished stainless steel tubing and piping. Each system has 2 protected inflatable dams connected by an armoured heatproof spinal tube.

 To purge, insert the PurgElite Inflatable Pipe Purging system is inserted into the bore with one purge dam either side of the weld joint. When the gas line is connected to the purge system the bladders inflate to form a seal.  The spinal tube carries the gas to inflate the purge dams and the low profile valve releases the gas gently, to purge the interspace without turbulence.

The inert gas is then fed into the space between the purge bladders expelling the air through the integral exhaust tubes. A weld purge monitor is recommended to measure the oxygen content in the purged area, and once the monitor indicates that the required purge has been achieved, welding can  be carried out ensuring a clean even penetration bead.

Removing Argweld Inflatable Purge Dams After Weld Completion

 Argweld Inflatable Purge Dams are deflated simply by disconnecting the purge gas feed and the device easily removed, once the weld cools (Allow 2-3 minutes for weld to cool, to prevent damage to bladder).  

Why Use Argweld Inflatable Pipe Purge Dams?

Old fashioned homemade devices like cardboard, paper dams or foam bungs, contain a lot of water, air and vapour. The Argweld Inflatable Pipe Purging system offer a reliable method to seal the purge area. It does not have any metallic valves that can scratch pipe ID. Bad products put your weld at risk and end up costing you more money.

PurgElite Inflatable Purging Systems

This range of Argweld® PurgElite® Tube and Pipe Purge Systems are for pipes of nominal diameters from 1″ (25 mm) to 24″ (600 mm). Larger size can be made to order. However we recommend you use our Quick Purge Systems for larger Pipe Diameters that will allow you to quickly purge the area and they will use lesser amount of purge gas.

PURGE TIME (to 0.1% oxygen and less) using PurgElite® Inflatable Weld Purge Bladders 

By using Argweld® PurgElite® Tube and Pipe Weld Purging Systems, the main savings, over any other system, are obtained in reduced waiting time, and the much lower quantity of inert gas used. Purging with old fashioned systems and homemade devices will require a flow rate of at least 24 L/min (50 cu ft/hr) for longer periods.

Below we offer a study on Purge time for PurgElite® Inflatable Tube and Pipe Weld Purge System

Test Pipe Diameter 4″ (100 mm)

Old fashioned or home made devices:

Purge time to 1,000 ppm…. 26 minutes
Flow rate 50 CFH (24 L/min)…. inert gas usage 18 Cu ft (624 liters)

Argweld® PurgElite® Inflatable Tube and Pipe Weld Purging System:

Purge Time to just 100 ppm…. 3 mins 6 secs
Flow rate 21 CFH (10 L/min)…. inert gas usage 0.9 Cu ft (30 Liters)

Specially developed purge dam connection hose

Purge Dam hose, resistant to hot metal up to 80ºC (179ºF). Synthetic spinal connection hose gives complete flexibility to go around bends. Low vapour pressure material. No scratching of internally polished surfaces. For higher temperature & spatter resistance we offer as an option, hose protection sleeve that will upgrade the temperature tolerance to 982 Deg C.

For all grades of stainless and duplex steels, with and without polished interiors, titanium, zirconium and any other exotic metals or alloys.

Centrepiece Glow Positioning Indicator

Argweld® PurgElite® cost saving systems can be positioned accurately. The glow strip positioning band in the centre of each system gives ease of use when positioning the device underneath the weld.

Repeatability and Reliability with Argweld PurgElite Inflatable Pipe Dams

Highly reliable, giving regular, repeatable, controlled high quality results. Gas pressure control ensures an even positive root bead with no notching.

Manufactured to Nuclear Quality Standards with Nuclear approved materials, these systems guarantee bright, shiny, coke and oxide-free welds.

Because Argweld® PurgElite® Inflatable Tube and Pipe Weld Purging Systems have no metal parts exposed, internally polished stainless steel tubes are protected.

Argweld® PurgElite® Inflatable Tube and Pipe Weld Purging Systems from 1″ upwards are ‘State of the Art’ newly evolved technology by Huntingdon Fusion Techniques HFT®.