- Product
- Overview
- Key Features
- Specification
- FAQ
- Reviews
- Ordering
- Downloads
- Videos
- Gallery
Plug it by Freezing it....!
The HFT® Pipestoppers® Qwik-Freezer™ Pipe Freezing Equipment uses liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) to freeze stationary water in any chosen sections of pipe or tubing. By producing very low 'dry ice' temperatures, Qwik- Freezer™ forms a secure in-line ice plug.
This temporarily isolates the water in the system and allows repairs or modification to be made without draining or shutting off systems.
Click here to send us a message
Contact us - See our Worldwide Offices
Read MoreSave Money and Time Draining and Refilling
The Qwik-Freezer™ kit is easy to use. A specially designed jacket is wrapped around the pipe at the point where the freeze is required. A nozzle on the jacket is then coupled to a cylinder of liquid CO2 by means of a high-pressure hose.
When liquid CO2 is injected into the space between the jacket and the pipe, it immediately expands to form a solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) at a temperature of -70ºC (-108ºF). This low temperature quickly freezes the water inside the pipe, forming a secure ice plug, which seals in the pipe.
The ice plug forms only in the section of the pipe covered by the jacket so the resulting rise in pressure is very small and there is no damage to the pipe. The technique can be used safely on iron, lead, stainless steel, copper, brass and plastic pipes.
Click here to send us a message
Contact us - See our Worldwide Offices
Read MorePortable Pipe Freezing System
The major advantages of using a Qwik-Freezer™ System:
- Saves valuable time normally lost draining and refilling a system.
- Avoids complete shutdown of systems and equipment (as in a sprinkler or water supply system).
- Prevents large amounts of water wastage.
- Safe and cost effective.
- Standard products to suit pipe and tubes sizes from 3/8" to 8" (10 to 200 mm ø).
- Liquid CO2 is inexpensive.
- Other refrigeration systems are more expensive.
- Long freeze length provides large plug size.
- Liquid CO2 delivery system is notably colder than other refrigerants.
- Qwik-Freezer™ Systems allow operators to source their own CO2 (no expensive refills, replacements or refrigerants).
- No re-calibration of Qwik-Freezer™ products are necessary.
Click here to send us a message
Contact us - See our Worldwide Offices
Read MoreFreeze Pipes up to 8" (200 mm)
Pipestoppers® Qwik-Freezer™ is designed and manufactured to suit pipe and tubes sizes from 3/8" to 8" (10 mm - 200 mm ø).
A typical Qwik-Freezer™ application 'replacing a defective valve':
- The water in the pipe is brought to a static condition.
- The Qwik-Freezer™ jacket is wrapped around the pipe (placed at a nearby upstream location).
- The liquid CO 2 is injected into the jacket.
The CO2 rapidly freezes the water inside the pipe, permitting valve removal for servicing the replacement.
An optional second jacket is available when a double freeze is required to block flow on both sides of the valxe.
Contact us - See our Worldwide Offices
Read MoreFrequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know how much liquid CO2 I need?
Be sure there is more than enough liquid CO2 on hand for the job (refer to the freezing table in the user instructions for the amount needed to complete the initial freeze only). If you intend to hold a freeze, extra cylinders will be needed. Use only cylinders fitted with a siphon tube or dip tube.
2. What condition does the pipe and water inside have to be in?
Ensure there is no flow of water through the pipe, as flowing water will not freeze. The outside surface of the pipe must be clean of all foreign matter. Water should be at 20ºC (68ºF) or colder. Warm water will take much longer to freeze. Always freeze on a horizontal line whenever possible. If attempting a vertical freeze, the water must be colder than 20ºC (68ºF). Additional injections and waiting time will also be necessary.
A vertical pipe may take up to twice as long as a horizontal line and the CO2 consumption will be double. Do not attempt to freeze close to a main line that has flowing water as the turbulence can prevent formation of the ice plug.
3. Can I freeze pipes larger than 8” or with different material inside the pipe?
Qwik-Freezer™ equipment should not be used on pipes larger than the specified size or pipes containing anything but water. For other sizes and applications, contact Huntingdon Fusion Techniques HFT®.
4. Will I need ventilation whilst freezing?
CO2 is heavier than air and will collect in confined and low-lying work areas. To prevent the danger of asphyxiation, make sure there is always good ventilation. Ventilation fans must be used in confined and low-lying spaces
5. Do I need to wear safety clothing?
Gloves and safety glasses should be worn at all times when operating Qwik-Freezer™ equipment. Do not hold dry ice as frostbite could result.
6. Can I freeze on a weld?
It is not ideal to freeze on a weld unless the weld has been x-rayed.
7. What kind of pipes can Qwik-Freezer™ be used on?
Qwik-Freezer™ can be used on iron, lead, steel and copper pipes. It is also applicable to plastic pipes, but these will take up to three times longer.
8. How much water pressure will an ice plug hold?
Ice plugs have passed pressure tests up to 5000 psi. HFT® conservatively rates them to 1500 psi.
9. What about bursting or fracturing pipes?
Pipe fractures are not caused by the ice plug or the freezing process. They are caused by a failure to allow enough space between the ice plug and closed connections. This is due to the increase in pressure that is caused by water that is displaced by the ice plug as it grows that can create a ‘hydraulic ram’ if enough space is not allowed.
10. Why is it imperative to have co2 cylinders with siphon-tubes?
Dry ice is formed when liquid CO2 interacts with the atmosphere (which takes place inside the Qwik-Freezer™ jacket). If a cylinder does not have a siphon-tube it will only deliver CO2 gas, which will have no reaction. Without dry ice, there will be no freeze.
11. What if there is a small amount of glycol or other fluid in the line?
It is important to know how much is in the mix and what the freeze point of the liquid is. Note: the ‘freeze point’ may just be a slush and not to the solid state that is required for a plug. The Qwik-Freezer™ will go down to -121oF.
Contact us - See our Worldwide Offices
Read MoreQwik-Freezer™ Portable CO2 Pipe Freezing Equipment
See what our Users have to say....
Case Study: Low-cost accessory obviates power station shutdown.
“A new compressor installation, to be completed within a short window of time, was going well until a problem was discovered. The design drawings failed to show that a cold water valve extension handle clashed with the air inlet pipe of the compressor.Critically, this was the only isolating valve from the cooling water main header and could not be moved without closing the cooling water system. This would have also meant shutting down the whole power station, which was not an option.Potential solutions included re-routing the inlet pipework of the compressor and contracting in a specialist pipe freezing company to enable the valve to be moved. All initial potential solutions would have taken time to organise, which could have affected the timely completion of the project.Freezing was considered to be the best option but this valve was welded into place and freezing would have to be made far enough up stream not to be adversely affected by the applied heat from the grinding and re-welding operations.As the water pipe was 75 mm diameter, it was not possible to acquire one of the commonly available domestic or commercial plumbers’ freezing kits, as these only have a capacity up to 50 mm.As time was of the essence, an Internet search discovered a Pipe Freezing Kit for 3” pipe available from the Pipestoppers® Division of Huntingdon Fusion Techniques HFT®. The HFT® Technical team were quickly able to reassure us that Qwik-Freezer™ Pipe Freezing Systems were a proven option for this size of pipe and within 24 hours we had a kit in our possession.Installation was easy and CO2 bottles were obtained from the local BOC gas supplier. The freeze worked well, taking around an hour to freeze the pipe. This freeze allowed time to grind out the welded valve, plus a length of pipe, re-weld a flange back onto the pipe at a new position and install a new valve. The job took around two hours to complete in total and at cost of around 25 per cent of a specialist contractor.”
Derek Halsall – ECS Engineer, Slough Heat and Power UK.
Please contact us by email for actual user names and user lists which can be obtained separately.
Click here to send us a message
Contact us - See our Worldwide Offices
Read More
Shipping Information, Weights and Dimensions
Customs Tariff:
European Customs Tariff: 9032 10 80
International Customs Tariff: 9032 10 8090
United States Customs Tariff: 9032 10 8990
Canada Customs Tariff: 9032 10 8990
Product Codes and Sizes:
HFT Pipestoppers® Qwik-Freezer™ Pipe Freezing Equipment are supplied as a complete system.
Note CO2 is not included.
Please see the the tables below for the contents of the full system including the Freezing Jackets and all the accessories.
Delivery on the all items is 7 to 10 days.
HFT Pipestoppers® Qwik-Freezer™ Pipe Freezing Equipment
| PART Nº | DESCRIPTION | |
| QF1500 - WOC | Qwik-Freezer™ 3/8" to 1 1/2" OD | |
|
1 QF 101 Jacket |
1 Pair of Insulated Gloves 1 Rubber Mallet 1 Small Carrying Case 1 Timing Pad |
|
| QF1700 - WOC | Double Freeze Kit 3/8" to 1 1/2" OD | |
|
|
2 QF 101 Jackets 2 QF 102 Jackets 2 10' High Pressure Hoses 2 Valve Adapters 1 Pair Safety Glasses |
1 Pair of Insulated Gloves 1 Rubber Mallet 1 Small Carrying Case 1 Timing Pad |
|
QF2000 - WOC |
Qwik-Freezer™ 3/4" to 1 1/2" OD | |
| 1 QF 102 Jacket 1 10' High Pressure Hose 1 Valve Adapter 1 Pair Safety Glasses |
1 Pair of Insulated Gloves 1 Rubber Mallet 1 Small Carrying Case 1 Timing Pad |
|
| QF2200 - WOC | Double Freeze Kit 3/4" to 1 1/2" OD | |
| 2 QF 102 Jackets 2 10' High Pressure Hoses 2 Valve Adapters 1 Pair Safety Glasses |
1 Pair of Insulated Gloves 1 Rubber Mallet 1 Small Carrying Case 1 Timing Pad |
|
| QF3000 - WOC | Qwik-Freezer™ 3/8" to 3" OD | |
| 1 QF 101 Jacket 1 QF 102 Jacket 1 QF 103 Jacket 2 10' High Pressure Hoses 2 Valve Adapters |
1 Pair Safety Glasses 1 Pair of Insulated Gloves 1 Rubber Mallet 1 Small Carrying Case 1 Timing Pad |
|
| QF3200 - WOC | Double Freeze Kit 3/8" to 4" OD | |
| 2 QF 101 Jackets 2 QF 102 Jackets 2 QF 103 Jackets 4 10' High Pressure Hoses 4 Valve Adapters |
1 Pair Safety Glasses 1 Pair of Insulated Gloves 1 Rubber Mallet 2 Small Carrying Cases 1 Timing Pad |
|
| QF4000 - WOC | Qwik-Freezer™ 3/8" to 4" OD | |
| 1 QF 101 Jacket 1 QF 102 Jacket 1 QF 103 Jacket 1 QF 104 Jacket 4 10' High Pressure Hoses 2 Valve Adapters |
2 Tee Connectors 1 Pair Safety Glasses 1 Pair of Insulated Gloves 1 Rubber Mallets 1 Small Carrying Case 1 Timing Board and Pad |
|
| QF4100 - WOC | Qwik-Freezer 3" to 4" OD | |
| 1 QF 104 Jacket 4 10' High Pressure Hoses 2 Valve Adapters 2 Tee Connectors 1 Pair Safety Glasses |
1 Pair of Insulated Gloves 1 Rubber Mallet 1 Small Carrying Case 1 Timing Board and Pad |
|
| QF4200 - WOC | Double Freeze Kit 3/8" to 4" OD | |
| 2 QF 101 Jackets 2 QF 102 Jackets 2 QF 103 Jackets 2 QF 104 Jackets 8 10' High Pressure Hoses 4 Valve Adapters |
4 Tee Connectors 2 Pair of Insulated Gloves 2 Rubber Mallets 2 Small Carrying Cases 1 Timing Board and Pad 2 Pair Safety Glasses |
|
| QF4250 - WOC | Double Freeze Kit 3" to 4" OD | |
| 2 QF 104 Jackets 8 10' High Pressure Hoses 4 Valve Adapters 4 Tee Connectors 2 Pair Safety Glasses |
2 Pair of Insulated Gloves 2 Rubber Mallets 2 Small Carrying Cases 1 Timing Board and Pad |
|
| QF6000 - WOC | Qwik-Freezer™ 3/8" to 6" OD | |
| 1 QF 101 Jacket 1 QF 102 Jacket 1 QF 103 Jacket 1 QF 104 Jacket 1 QF 106 Jacket 4 16' High Pressure Hoses 3 Valve Adapters |
3 Tee Connectors 2 Pair of Insulated Gloves 1 Rubber Mallet 1 Large Carrying Case 1 Timing Board and Pad 2 Pair Safety Glasses |
|
| QF6100 - WOC | Qwik-Freezer™ 5" to 6" OD | |
| 1 QF 106 Jacket 3 16' High Pressure Hoses 3 Valve Adapters 3 Tee Connectors 2 Pair Safety Glasses |
2 Pair of Insulated Gloves 1 Rubber Mallet 1 Large Carrying Case 1 Timing Board and Pad |
|
| QF6200 - WOC | Double Freeze Kit 3/8" to 6" OD | |
| 2 QF 101 Jackets 2 QF 102 Jackets 2 QF 103 Jackets 2 QF 104 Jackets 2 QF 106 Jackets 8 16' High Pressure Hoses 6 Valve Adapters |
6 Tee Connectors 2 Rubber Mallets 2 Large Carrying Cases 1 Timing Board and Pad 2 Pair of Insulated Gloves 2 Pair Safety Glasses |
|
| QF6250 - WOC | Double Freeze Kit 5" to 6" OD | |
| 2 QF 106 Jackets 6 16' High Pressure Hoses 6 Valve Adapters 6 Tee Connectors 2 Pair Safety Glasses |
2 Pair of Insulated Gloves 2 Rubber Mallets 2 Large Carrying Cases 1 Timing Board and Pad |
|
| QF8000 - WOC | Qwik-Freezer™ 3/8" to 8" OD | |
| 1 QF 101 Jacket 1 QF 102 Jacket 1 QF 103 Jacket 1 QF 104 Jacket 1 QF 106 Jacket 1 QF 108 Jacket 4 16' High Pressure Hoses |
4 Valve Adapters 4 Tee Connectors 2 Pair of Insulated Gloves 1 Rubber Mallet 2 Large Carrying Cases 1 Timing Board and Pad 2 Pair Safety Glasses |
|
| QF8100 - WOC | Qwik-Freezer™ 7" to 8" OD | |
| 1 QF 108 Jacket 4 16' High Pressure Hoses 4 Valve Adapters 4 Tee Connectors 2 Pair Safety Glasses |
2 Pair of Insulated Gloves 1 Rubber Mallet 2 Large Carrying Cases 1 Timing Board and Pad |
|
| QF8200 - WOC | Qwik-Freezer™ 3/8" to 8" OD | |
| 2 QF 101 Jackets 2 QF 102 Jackets 2 QF 103 Jackets 2 QF 104 Jackets 2 QF 106 Jackets 2 QF 108 Jackets 8 16' High Pressure Hoses |
8 Valve Adapters 8 Tee Connectors 2 Rubber Mallets 2 Large Carrying Cases 1 Timing Board and Pad 2 Pair of Insulated Gloves 2 Pair Safety Glasses |
|
Qwik Freezer jacket
| PART Nº | SIZE |
| QF100 QF101 QF102 QF103 QF104 QF106 QF108 |
below 3/8" OD 3/8" to 3/4" OD 3/4" to 1-1/2" OD 1-1/2" to 3" OD 3" to 4" OD 5" to 6" OD 7" to 8" OD |
Accessories and Spares
| PART Nº | DESCRIPTION |
|
QF800 |
10' High Pressure Hose (QF 1500 - 3000) |
Contact us - See our Worldwide Offices
Read MoreItems available as 'Downloads'
Leaflets and general sales material are available to everyone visiting our website.
Restricted access items are shown at the end of this Download section.
Special Note: The items below are restricted and only available in our Secure Login section. This is mainly for the protection of our Exclusive Distributor network.
Should you wish to receive an item mentioned below which is not active as a 'download' link on this page, please contact us or your nearest distributor.
HFT Pipestoppers® Qwik-Freezer™ Pipe Freezing Equipment User Instructions Technical Manual
HFT Pipestoppers® Qwik Freezer™ Pipe Freezing Equipment User List Customer Reference
HFT Pipestoppers® Qwik Freezer™ Pipe Freezing Equipment Data Application Sheet
Click here to send us a message
Contact us - See our Worldwide Offices
Read More
