Welding in arctic conditions

Manual welding

Welding in arctic conditions

February 20, 2019

Today, Arctic areas are attracting much attention due to the large oil and natural gas deposits located there. As much as 13% of the Earth's unexploited oil reserves and 30% of natural gas reserves may be located in Arctic areas. The energy industry's largest projects to build gas and oil distribution networks are essentially based on steel construction and welding technology.

Jani Kumpulainen

Weatherproofing welding equipment for better outcomes and working conditions

For example, the oil and gas pipelines in Siberia, Russia, need to be built through marshlands that are difficult to traverse. This must be done in the winter because the ground must be sufficiently frozen to support all of the necessary machinery. Welding can only be successful in Arctic conditions if the working conditions are tolerable. Depending on the weather, the welding process, and the application, different protection levels are used, ranging from completely unprotected welding sites to air-conditioned and heated cubicles.

For MMA welding in dry weather, it may not be necessary to protect the welding site at all (Figure 1). MIG/MAG and TIG welding should always be done in an area protected from wind, rain, and snow. Protection can be provided by various types of tents (Figure 2) or even heated welding cubicles (Figure 3). A range of different welding protectors can also improve the welder's working conditions. Without a heated welding cubicle, the welder can easily begin feeling cold, and the visor on the welding helmet can fog up.

Figure 1: MMA welding on a pipeline.

Figure 1: MMA welding on a pipeline.

Figure 2: A welding tent provides protection from the wind and rain.

Figure 2: A welding tent provides protection from the wind and rain.

Figure 3: A heated welding cubicle ensures good working conditions.

Figure 3: A heated welding cubicle ensures good working conditions.

Effective preheating can optimize welding procedures and prevent condensation

Special attention should always be paid to preheating before welding in arctic conditions. Firstly, the welding procedure specification determines the preheating temperature. With thinner material strengths and non-alloy steel, this is typically room temperature. With thicker materials and alloy steel, the preheating temperature may be 100°C or more. The second reason for preheating is the condensation of water on cold surfaces. The groove and the surrounding area, as well as any backing, must also be cleaned and dried before welding.

In cold conditions, moisture can easily condense on the surface of the filler material. The welding electrodes should be stored in an electrically heated electrode store. For MIG/MAG welding, it is advisable to use a cabinet heater in the wire feeder to ensure the filler material remains dry.

Figure 4: KWF 200/300 cabinet heater for Kemppi’s wire feeders.

Studying cold tolerance of welding equipment to guide product development

Kemppi states the operating temperature range for its welding equipment in the user's manual. The minimum temperature range is between -20°C and +40°C. However, Kemppi's equipment is also used in Arctic areas, where the temperatures may be substantially lower.

Over the years, the cold tolerance of the devices has been studied in various conditions. Kemppi has premises including a cold room and separate freezers for this purpose at its site in Okeroinen, Lahti, Finland. They enable welding components such as tubes, cables, and mechanics to be tested at temperatures as low as -60°C.

Practical experiments have also been conducted in Arctic areas. In the winter of 2013, Kemppi took several ready-to-operate welding units to Siberia, Russia, for field testing. They were tested at temperatures of -46°C. At such low temperatures, welding is a challenge for the welder as well as the equipment. For example, the rubber components on buried cables, torches, and interconnection cables stiffen due to the cold.

Results from such studies are utilized in product development work when selecting materials for new products. For example, alternate materials have been selected for new buried cables and torches to ensure that they are better at withstanding colder conditions.

Figure 5: MIG/MAG interconnection cable at -46°C during trial use in Siberia.

Read more about the large oil and natural gas deposits.

Image sources: Kemppi Oy / Figure 2 / Figure 3

Jani Kumpulainen
Author

Jani Kumpulainen

Welding Technology Manager at Kemppi Oy. International Welding Engineer (IWE) and Inspector (IWI-C) who has over 10 years of experience as a welding expert in welding process development, welding coordination of pressure vessels and international sales. Interested in understanding the whole welding industry including welding processes, weldable materials, and welding quality standards.

More blog posts

Welding Trends 2019

Welding Trends 2019

The world is changing fast. It is predicted that in the next ten years, we will be seeing more changes in technology than we’ve seen over the last hundred. As a fundamental process in the manufacturing industry, welding is also steadily evolving.

Welding automation

Behind the scenes: The development of X8 MIG Welder

Behind the scenes: The development of X8 MIG Welder

Creating a new product for industrial users is both a long journey and exciting adventure. In his LinkedIn Pulse post, Kemppi's User Experience Manager Jussi Kapanen recalls the beginning of an ambitious R&D project, when the team was tasked with the target of creating the best MIG welding system in the world, to be loved by users in 2017.

Innovation

The significance of usability in industrial welding

The significance of usability in industrial welding

We asked two professional welders – Meyer’s Jukka Hahko and Dinolift’s Pasi Laakso – what good usability means in industrial welding.

Innovation

New Kemppi Robotics Team

New Kemppi Robotics Team

Achieving strategic goals and enhancing customer experience

People

How to choose the MIG/MAG welding torch

How to choose the MIG/MAG welding torch

MIG/MAG welding is one of the most common and versatile welding processes. It is used for various applications, such as automotive, construction, fabrication, and maintenance. However, choosing a suitable welding torch for your job is essential to achieve optimal results.

Manual welding, Welding ABC

New technologies contribute to the development of heavy industry

New technologies contribute to the development of heavy industry

Kemppi is actively developing the industry and offering its know-how for multidisciplinary innovation projects. With the means of cooperation, new ways of working are created, and operational processes are enhanced and refined.

Digitalization, Innovation

Subscribe to our newsletter and be among the first to know the latest from Kemppi.

By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails from Kemppi.

The forerunners of arc welding

Kemppi is the design leader of the arc welding industry. Kemppi is the design leader in the arc welding industry. We are committed to boosting the quality and productivity of welding by continuous development of the welding arc and by working for a greener and more equal world. Kemppi supplies sustainable products, digital solutions, and services for professionals from industrial welding companies to single contractors. The usability and reliability of our products is our guiding principle. We operate with a highly skilled partner network covering over 70 countries to make its expertise locally available. Headquartered in Lahti, Finland, Kemppi employs over 650 professionals in 16 countries and has a revenue of 209 MEUR in 2023.

Kemppi – Designed for welders

Copyright © 2024 Kemppi Oy