PurgElite Inflatable Purging Systems
Low cost high value systems suitable for weld purging of tubes to tubes or fittings and pipes to pipes and fittings for 1 to 24″ (25 to 600 mm) diameter.
Description
PurgElite Inflatable Purging Systems offer an Easy and economical way to purge pipes and tubes
PurgElite Inflatable Inflatable Weld Purge Bladders, is an advanced tandem Purge Dam system, that offers a simple, low cost solution to make high purity welds. The volume to purge is kept small, resulting in savings in both time and cost of inert gas used.
High quality circumferential butt-welding of tubes or pipes with other tubes, pipes or fittings, requires inert gas to be used inside the bore to prevent oxidation and notching of the root penetration weld bead.
The tandem based Argweld® PurgElite® Inflatable Tube and Pipe Weld Purging System has been designed specially for this work.
Use the PurgElite Inflatable Purging System for all grades of stainless and duplex steels, with and without polished interiors, titanium, zirconium and any other exotic metals or alloys.
Inflatable Weld Purge Bladders Options – See Images Below
- 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 Standard System PurgElite with PurgeGate Valve acts as anti-burst device PurgElite with Hose Shielding Kit and PurgeGate Valve Heat Resistant Covers – Heat Resistant to 300 Deg C PurgElite Bladder with Optional Hose Extension, 12″, 24″, 36″ PurgElite with Argon Hose available in 25′, 50′,75′, 100′ & 150′ Lengths Fully Loaded with all accessories
Part # | Nominal Pipe Size – Inch | Nominal Pipe Size – MM | ID Range – MM | Optional Heat Covers |
---|---|---|---|---|
PL10001 | 1″ | 25 mm | 13 – 38 mm | HRC1001 |
PL10001.5 | 1.5″ | 38 mm | 32 – 45 mm | HRC1001.5 |
PL10002 | 2″ | 51 mm | 38 – 64 mm | HRC1002 |
PL10003 | 3″ | 76 mm | 64 – 89 mm | HRC1003 |
PL10004 | 4″ | 102 mm | 89 – 114 mm | HRC1004 |
PL10005 | 5″ | 127 mm | 114 – 140 mm | HRC1005 |
PL10006 | 6″ | 152 mm | 140 – 165 mm | HRC1006 |
PL10007 | 7″ | 178 mm | 165 – 191 mm | HRC1007 |
PL10008 | 8″ | 203 mm | 191 – 216 mm | HRC1008 |
PL10010 | 10″ | 254 mm | 241 – 267 mm | HRC1010 |
PL10012 | 12″ | 305 mm | 292 – 318 mm | HRC1012 |
PL10014 | 14″ | 356 mm | 343 – 368 mm | HRC1014 |
PL10016 | 16″ | 406 mm | 394 – 419 mm | HRC1016 |
PL10018 | 18″ | 457 mm | 445 – 470 mm | HRC1018 |
PL10020 | 20″ | 508 mm | 495 – 521 mm | HRC1020 |
PL10021 | 21″ | 533 mm | 521 – 546 mm | HRC1021 |
PL10022 | 22″ | 559 mm | 546 – 572 mm | HRC1022 |
PL10023 | 23″ | 584 mm | 572 – 597 mm | HRC1023 |
PL10024 | 24″ | 610 mm | 597 – 622 mm | HRC1024 |
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®.


Heat Resistant Covers
These are available as an accessory to both PurgElite® and PurgExtra™ Tube and Pipe Weld Purging Systems. The Heat Covers are held on with ties and there are holes provided for the PurgElite® fittings, such as inlet, exhaust and crimped end.
Temperature rating up to 300ºC (572ºF).
The Heat Covers are provided in sets of two and they are available for each specific diameter from 1 to 24 inch (25 to 600 mm).
Visit our category page for our range of Pipe Purging Equipment
Visit Huntingdon Fusion – manufacturer’s Argweld PurgElite Pipe Purging