BKW has the capability to create designs for new equipment to suit the needs of pipeline contractors and transmission companies. When companies have a problem, BKW is contacted and conceptual designs are submitted for approval. Following acceptance, the project goes into design, fabrication, testing, and submitted for service. A partial list of projects is shown on this website.

BKW Mono-riser Slug Catcher -- Comprehensive tests were conducted on a scale model of a slug catcher using a single riser for venting gas. Tests were simulated for a large range of gas throughputs and gas/water ratios. Modifications to the slug catcher model were conducted to expand the variable volume throughputs and gas/water ratios.

In addition, modifications were made to dampen the violent effects of the pig entering the receiver. The results of the testing proved beneficial in the construction of a slug catcher located in Illinois.

Chain Jack – A Cook Inlet, Alaska, job required a 250,000 lb. capacity chain jack to pull flow lines through J-tubes located inside offshore platform legs. The chain jack was designed, fabricated, tested and used successfully on the job. The unit has since been rented to other contractors working in Cook Inlet.

Pig Testing – BKW has tested multiple diameter pigs to determine efficiency when going through different size pipelines. In some instances, air was used to push the pig, and in other instances, water was used. The pigs were furnished by various pig manufacturers and a report was submitted that graded each pig. BKW has also tested pigs and pig traps that were involved in incidents that resulted in injuries or death. The tests were conducted to determine the cause of the incident.

Buoyancy Control Tests – BKW investigated the cause for flotation of 40 miles of 36-inch natural gas pipeline in North Dakota. The pipeline traversed an area consisting of sugar sand with a high water table.  The investigation included a study of the soil hydraulics, sugar sand characteristics, experience of local inhabitants and a soil test box.

The box shown below consisted of 8' x 8' x 2’' plywood with a Plexiglas side. Soil from the pipeline area was used along with a 2' long 36" pipe pup with sealed ends. The box was vibrated to simulate construction equipment and farm tractors, resulting in the pipe floating to the surface in 8 minutes. The investigation concluded that vibrations due to farm equipment and trucks caused the pipe to float.