Back Ground
Pennecon
for Newfoundland and Labrador Power
Newfoundland, Canada
Pennecon is a leading Canadian industrial services company.
The company was tasked with refurbishing a 17-foot-diameter penstock for Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. A penstock is a large pipe that channels water to hydroelectric turbines.
The project required applying a new protective coating to the penstock’s interior surface. This process demands precise control over the work environment.
Challenge
Applying industrial coatings requires a stable, low-humidity environment, and Pennecon needed to create isolated work zones inside the long penstock in the Nova Scotia Hydro facility, which would allow their dehumidification equipment to function correctly.
The challenge was finding a temporary dam that was:
- Easy to install and move between sections.
- Capable of creating an effective air seal.
- Sized to fit the 17-foot diameter of the pipe.
The barrier did not need to withstand water pressure, only to block airflow. Pennecon needed a practical solution to maintain project timelines.
Design and Fabrication
Pennecon contacted Giant Inflatables Industrial with their requirements, and the GII design team proposed a solution based on its existing Autoclave Isolation Barrier design, demonstrating how inflatable products designed for one industrial use can be adapted for another.
The design was customised to meet the project’s specific needs.
- The Penstock Isolation Barrier was built to the exact 17-foot diameter of the penstock.
- The heavy-duty PVC material ensures durability for industrial use.
- Multiple anchor points were added around the circumference to secure the barrier inside the pipe.
- The unit was engineered for rapid inflation and deflation, making it easy to move around as work was completed.
The final Penstock Isolation Barrier provided a simple and effective method for environmental separation.
Results
Pennecon deployed the custom Penstock Isolation Barrier at the project site. The inflatable isolation barrier successfully sealed off sections of the penstock, allowing Pennecon’s team to isolate the humidity for the coating application. Work proceeded without delays caused by ambient environmental conditions.
The project highlights the versatility of industrial inflatable products. An Autoclave Isolation Barrier, typically used in a different context, solved a unique challenge in hydroelectric infrastructure maintenance.
A closer look
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