By Kurt Gribnitz and Jan van der Merwe, Ovolifts LLC

Touchpoint corrosion under/at pipe supports (CUPS/CAPS) is known to be the second leading cause of pipe corrosion in the petrochemical industry. Limited access to these critical points drives a reactive maintenance approach only once a leak occurs or when a critical condition is discovered. The authors present a solution using novel jacking tools that can provide access to many more touchpoints for in-service inspection, blasting, painting and wear-plate installation....