A pipe processing tool that is configured to deform the end of a pipe so that the circumferential shape of the end of the pipe generally matches the circumferential shape of an adjacent pipe end. Matching the circumferential shapes of the pipe ends is advantageous during a pipe attachment process. The pipe processing tool can include a deformation ring with a plurality of pipe deformation members. Each pipe deformation member faces radially inward and is actuatable in a radial direction toward and away from the center of the deformation ring in order to permit engagement with the pipe. Each pipe deformation member is individually and separately actuatable from the other pipe deformation members so that the circumferential shapes of the pipes can be altered by controlling suitable ones of the pipe deformation members.

Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for decommissioning a pipeline. The system may comprise a mechanical assembly and chemical assembly. The mechanical assembly may include a main body and contact assembly. When the mechanical assembly is provided in the pipeline, the contact assembly is configurable to contact with the pipeline's interior wall. The chemical assembly may be arranged serially in line with the mechanical assembly. The chemical assembly may include a front section having a cross-sectional portion configurable to resemble the cross-section of the pipeline. The chemical assembly may also include a rear section having a cross-sectional portion. The front and rear sections may be arranged in such a way that, when the chemical assembly is provided in the pipeline, the cross-sectional portions of the front and rear sections cooperate with the pipeline's interior wall to form a chamber operable to receive and house a removal medium.

A system and a method for separating a tubular component is disclosed, which for constructing a supporting structure, having a longitudinal pipe with pipe ends which are open on both sides. The system has a mobile transport module comprising a receiving platform having a pipe clamping device for clamping variable pipe diameters which receives and mounts the tubular component so that a first pipe end of the component, having a vertical longitudinal axis which detachably and securely engages the pipe clamping device. The invention further relates to a separating arrangement mounted on a supporting structure that it is deflectable at least vertically, to provide secure joining to the pipe end of a tubular component that faces away from the first pipe end. The tubular component is seated on the transport module and vertically securely engages the pipe clamping device.

System and method for decommissioning a pipeline. The system comprises mechanical and chemical assemblies. The mechanical assembly includes a main body and a contact assembly. When the mechanical assembly is provided in the pipeline, the contact assembly is configurable to contact with the interior wall of the pipeline. The chemical assembly is arranged serially in line with the mechanical assembly. The chemical assembly includes a front section having a cross-sectional portion and a rear section having a cross-sectional portion. The front and the rear section are arranged in such a way that the cross-sectional portions of the front and the rear section cooperate with the interior wall of the pipeline to form a chamber to house a removal medium. The system and method can effectively and efficiently remove most or all of such residual mercury and/or other toxic substance from the interior wall of the pipeline before abandonment.

A method of aligning first and second pipes end-to-end in a position ready for welding. Each pipe has an end bevelled with a shape scanned and stored in memory of a control unit. At least one of the pipes has machine readable codes distributed around their circumference of the pipe. The method includes effecting relative movement of the ends of the first and second pipes towards each other, reading at least one of the codes with a reader, and ascertaining the relative movement required to align the pipes in accordance with a target orientation. The relative movement is ascertained with information provided by the read code and the shapes of the bevelled ends stored in the control unit memory. In other aspects, a closed loop control method and machine-learning may be used to align the pipes. A pipe-laying vessel including pipe handling equipment and the control unit is also provided.

An apparatus for automation of weld seams machining of a wind turbine tower is provided. The apparatus includes an automated arm; a machining tool fixed to the automated arm; a compensator system fixed to the machining tool or being part of the automated arm; a joint visor that identifies and locates the weld seam; and a control unit to coordinate the movement of the machining tool with the compensator system and the joint visor. A method of performing a welded circular seam machining in a wind turbine tower with the apparatus is also provided.

A support ring supports a welding ring to guide welding bugs around a coated pipe section. The support ring has a tubular body to support the welding ring, the body having substantially circular curvature around a longitudinal axis. At least one grounding extension connected to the body is offset longitudinally and radially outwardly with respect to the body and the longitudinal axis. This allows the grounding extension to lie radially outboard of a parent coating of the pipe section while the body encircles a cut-back end zone where the parent coating has been cut back. Pipe sections abutting end-to-end for welding can each be fitted with these support rings. This enables welding rings to encircle both of the cut-back end zones and allows effective grounding connections to be made without enlarging the cut-back end zones.

Example split frame pipe cutting tools include a frame and a slide tool configured to position a cutting edge in contact with the workpiece to performing cutting or boring on the workpiece, the slide tool comprising: a radial advancement mechanism configured to provide radial advancement of the cutting edge based on circumferential advancement of the slide tool by the frame; and an axial guide rail; a recirculating bearing carriage configured to slide in an axial direction along the axial guide rail and to couple the cutting edge to the axial guide rail; an axial advancement mechanism configured to advance the cutting edge in the axial direction with respect to the workpiece by translating radial advancement by the radial advancement mechanism to axial advancement based on a cutting template coupled to the radial advancement mechanism.

A weld overlay machine assembly includes a carriage to support a hinged index bar and a wire feed assembly. The index bar has an auto height control unit and an index assembly to locate the position of a weld torch relative to the index bar. The assembly is configured to adjust the index bar to interior contours of the vessel while applying a layer of overlay material to a surface therein. The assembly runs along a track in the interior of the vessel. The assembly is configured to transition from sides of the vessel to that of the top or bottom domes wherein the curve of the domes are perpendicular to that of the radial sides. This transition is done without the need to add or remove components to the assembly. This is accomplished by providing the pivoting of the index bar relative to the track.

The invention relates to a welding assembly for the permanent joining of a first tubular component with a second component along a two- or three-dimensional intersection curve, along which both components contact, comprising a securing assembly for detachably securely joining on a tubular end of the first component facing away from the intersection curve, a manipulator unit mounted directly or indirectly on the securing assembly such that it can pivot about a tube longitudinal axis assigned to the first component. The manipulator unit has a freely positionable manipulator end, with a welding tool attached to the freely positionable manipulator end. The securing assembly comprises a clamping module that can at least partially be introduced into the tubular end of the first component on the end side and in an axial manner. The clamping module is detachably securely to a tube inner wall of the first tubular component, as well as a carrier ring module which is rotatably attached to the clamping module, which axially extends beyond the tubular end of the first tubular component.