News from PLCS, Inc.

PLCS, Inc. is dedicated to provide quality products that work to solve your problems from people who understand the gas industry. We like to keep you aware of any new developments or products PLCS, Inc. has to offer.

PLCS Provides Gas Companies with a Simple No-Blow Solution to Bagging-Off

In any gas distribution system it is often necessary to isolate and shut down a portion of a main to perform some type of maintenance, renewal, or emergency work. Many times these shutdowns are carried out under blowing gas conditions. Until now! A Gas-Free Bagging off System is now available from PLCS to provide a much safer, easy alternative to "on the fly" operations.

To meet today's increasing demand for Gas-Free operations, DTE Energy (MichCon), Meade Electric Company (a contractor for DTE), Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and R.H. White Construction, Inc. (a contractor for Columbia Gas) recently purchased several ALH PSI Bagging-Off Systems to safely deploy inflatable bags into their gas distribution mains under no-blow conditions. The system uses the ALH System-One tapping equipment platform to carry out isolation operations at pounds pressure.

The PSI Bagging-Off System is so simple to operate that only minimal training is required. Recently, PLCS performed joint training sessions and on-site assistance for DTE and Meade Electric at DTE's Greenfield training facility. Already DTE have abandoned 11,167 ft. of cast iron main ranging in size from 4" to 12" operating at pressures of 2 to 10 psig.

DTE 1 DTE 2 DTE 3 DTE 4

PLCS also provided in-house training and on-site assistance for Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and R.H. White Construction on a recent project to shut down 1,000 ft. of 4" wrought iron and steel main using three separate double bag stop offs and two by-passes.

RHW 1 RHW 2 RHW 3 RHW 4

The ALH PSI Bagging-Off System package is unique and does not require any expensive sleeves or fittings to remain on the main upon completion. All that remains is an NPT plug or a PLCS Low-Profile completion plug. The proprietary PLCS Sensor Bags used with the system not only stop the flow of gas but continuously monitor the upstream pressure of the main without requiring an additional tap hole for the pressure gauge. The system is very simple to use. After initial operating instructions from PLCS it is easy for direct employees to operate the system with proficiency.

To learn more about Gas-Free bagging off please call us to discuss how the ALH PSI Bagging-Off System will benefit your next isolation project.

*In a controlled gas environment.

Get it Done in a Small-Hole

Air-Spade Driven by economic factors and improvements in digging technology there is a desire to perform routine operations and maintenance through small-hole (keyhole) excavations in an effort to reduce cost. However, working in a vacuum excavation 12-18 inch square or round core hole can be a challenge. Traditional excavation equipment and repair methods may not get the job done. PLCS offers an array of small-hole products and tools designed to make keyhole work easier.

ALH System-Four Tapping Machine - Drills and taps up to 2" NPT holes on 4"-12" mains for above ground installation of low pressure bags and camera entry.

Vogt Turbo Spade - An ergonomically designed, ultra-lightweight, pneumatic digging tool for tamping and breaking asphalt, concrete, difficult earth and frozen ground.

Air-Spade - A digging tool that turns your compressor air into a laser jet stream moving at twice the speed of sound to dislodge difficult soil without damaging buried pipes, fiber optic or electric lines.

Downhole Hydraulic Bolt Cutter- Quickly removes Bell Joint Clamps remotely in 5 minutes with the operator standing on the road surface.

Grit Blast Extension Lance - Enables the operator to grit blast a pipe down to white metal from above the excavation, even under the pipe joint.

PLCS Flex-Kit - 3" to 12" Bell Joint encapsulation repair system that can easily be installed through a keyhole using simple long handled tools.

Style 90 and NORMAC Compression Coupling Encapsulation - A simple method of permanently sealing leaks on compression couplings using an encapsulation system and long handle tools.

Anabond Anaerobic System - Remotely seals leaking Bell Joints using PLCS anaerobic sealant and long handle tools.

All of these products are easy to use and have the operator in mind. Please call PLCS to discuss implementing one or more of these technologies to help make your keyhole campaign more efficient.

Need some technical help or have questions about your recent order?

Just call us and you will always speak to a real live knowledgeable person.

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