Modular Inflatable Bladder System
The revolutionary, Modular Inflatable Bladder System is the most innovative and versatile pipe purging system available. The Modular Inflatable Bladder System creates an impermeable seal to consume the least amount of purge gas during pipe purging and welding, saving time and money, while achieving consistent, high-quality welds.
Manufactured in the USA, this long-term, reusable bladder system enables operators to satisfy a myriad of purge requirements with one interchangeable solution. The Modular Inflatable Bladder System comes equipped with several highly advanced features such as its Quick Connect Fittings that snap-in place and allow easy assembly and disassembly of components. The Modular Inflatable Bladder System also features an extended length, high heat resistant harness that allows the bladders to be placed outside the heat affected zone and can also sufficiently accommodate any pre-heating or high heat applications.
![](http://argoasecurity.com/image/data/AA97211_623.jpg)
These state-of-the-art features allow the operator to create multiple configurations, including a one sided pipe stopper and a reducer. Bladders are available in sizes ranging from 2 to 48" (51-1219 mm) and may be purchased either individually or as a complete system, a distinct advantage should additional sizes be desired or a component need replacing.
Ideal for fabrication shops, the Modular Inflatable Bladder System surpasses existing technology with its advanced design and provides the complete solution for all pipe purging needs.
![](http://argoasecurity.com/image/data/AA97211_621.jpg)
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Inflatable Bladders Modules A and B
- Manufactured in the USA from the highest quality materials
- Inflated bladders create an impermeable, air tight seal on pipe wall
- Spark resistant, durable exterior cover
- Heavy-duty interior inflatable bag
- Re-usable, long-lasting solution for purging multiple pipes of the same diameter
Quick Connect Interchangeable Fittings
- Push-button feature enables modules to snap-in-place in seconds
- State-of-the-art technology allows for greater versatility and easy assembly - enabling the user to create multiple configurations
- Easy change and replacement of components to avoid costly re-purchase of complete system, with spare parts available for purchase
- Corrosion resistant proven lock mechanism for secure connection
High Heat Extended Harnesses
- Internal hose and protective external fiberglass sleeve capable of withstanding high temperatures
- Flexible bridge harness easily navigates through pipes, including elbows and tees over 90°
- Kink resistant hose assures continuous gas supply
- Complete with luminescent indicator for accurate alignment at root gap
- Various lengths of harnesses are available to accommodate heat affected zone (HAZ) during pre-heating and high heat applications
- Modular Inflatable Bladder System sizes 36" and greater are equipped with a high flow harness to expedite inflation
Proprietary Relief Valve
- Factory pre-set relief valves allow for precise flow rates while minimizing set-up time and reducing gas consumption
- Aids in maintenance of optimum seal on pipe wall
- Prevents risk of over inflation
- Low profile relief valve available on 2" and 3" models
Inert Gas Diffuser
- Patent-pending technology
- Reduces turbulence by dispersing inert gas equally in all directions within the weld zone, improving weld quality and consistency
Tri-Flow Inner Tubing System (Blue, Black and White Hoses)
Multiple inlet/exhaust ports for faster, more efficient purging
Separate Connections:
- Blue - Inflation of Bladders. Initial function is to inflate bladders then flood weld zone with noble gas.
- Black - Increase Gas Distribution Within Weld Zone. Designed to expedite purging, the secondary (Black) purge hose is used to flood the weld zone with inert gas and evacuate oxygen at a faster rate.
- White - Exhaust Connection. Connect this hose to an Oxygen Monitor, such as our Oxygen Weld Monitor, model AA97206, that obtains readings down to 100 PPM (0.01%), for continuous or spot monitoring of oxygen in the weld zone.
Pull Loops
- Strong pull loops can be connected to a rope or chain to insert or remove the Modular Inflatable Bladder System
- It is important that bladders be deflated before insertion or removal
- Moderate tension (approx. 5 lbs.) should be applied on pull-wires to prevent sagging of the harness during installation and operation
Carrying Bag
- When welding is complete, bladders can be deflated, extracted, cleaned and stored in the provided carrying bag
- Carrying bag protects the bladder when not in use from dust and debris in most industrial work environments, prolonging life
Reducer
- Unlike other models with permanent fittings, a pipe reducer can be easily created by simply connecting two bladders of different, yet similar diameters
- Combine different sizes to create unique pipe configurations
Inflatable Pipe Stopper and Single Purge Bladder
- The Inflatable Pipe Stopper and Single Purge Bladder is designed to function as a pipe plug for a wide range of applications, including purging of valves or tanks, as well as non-purging applications such as pipe system sealing for servicing, cleaning and inspection
- Constructed of heavy-duty materials designed to withstand the extreme conditions of the petrochemical, utility and construction industries
HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS
Modular System Components: Equipped with the Most Advanced Interchangeable Components
- Module A
- Module B
- Quick Connection to Module B
- Fiberglass High Heat Bridge Harness
- Quick Connection to Module A
- Relief Valve
- Direct Purge (Black) Hose
- Exhaust Monitor Connection
- Inflation & Purge (Blue) Hose
- Luminescent Indicator
- Pull Loops
- Gas Diffuser
Quick Instruction Guide
- Ensure the Modular Inflatable Bladder System is fully assembled (i.e. modules are securely connected to harness using quick connect fittings).
- If necessary, connect rope, chain, or wire to the pull loops on the ends of the bladder modules. This will allow easy insertion and removal of the system.
- Connect inert gas lines to the Blue and Black hoses. Blue gas hose is required to inflate the purge bladders. Black gas hose is optional to expedite the purging process.
- Position the purge unit in the pipe using the luminescent indicator as a guide to center the system across the root gap.
- Turn the gas supply on to inflate the bladders and purge the weld zone. Recommended Flow Rates for Purging: Blue gas hose should transfer inert gas at 10-32 SCFH (5-15 LPM) for models 2"-34" and 60 SCFH (28.5 LPM) for models 36"-48".
- Once a tight seal has been achieved, commence welding while maintaining flow rate. Recommended Flow Rates During Welding: Blue gas hose should transfer inert gas at 15-30 SCFH (7.5-15 LPM).
- After the weld is complete, turn off the gas supply to deflate the bladders. Once the heat zone has sufficiently cooled, remove the Modular Inflatable Bladder System from the pipe. Be sure to disconnect all gas lines and monitoring equipment.
- Clean the Modular Inflatable Bladder System and store in the provided carrying bag when it is not in use.
TYPES AND SIZES
Standard Inflatable Systems (Sold as Complete System)
Model | Dimensions, mm | Standard Harness Length, mm | Description |
АА97211-ABLD2* | 51 mm | 279 mm | 2" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
AA97211-ABLD3* | 76 mm | 279 mm | 3" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD4* | 102 mm | 279 mm | 4" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD5* | 127 mm | 279 mm | 5" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD6* | 152 mm | 279 mm | 6" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD8* | 203 mm | 279 mm | 8" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD10* | 254 mm | 305 mm | 10" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD12* | 305 mm | 305 mm | 12" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD14* | 356 mm | 406 mm | 14" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD16* | 406 mm | 406 mm | 16" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD18* | 457 mm | 406 mm | 18" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD20* | 508 mm | 457 mm | 20" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD22* | 559 mm | 457 mm | 22" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD24* | 610 mm | 457 mm | 24" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD26* | 660 mm | 509 mm | 26" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD28* | 711 mm | 509 mm | 28" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD30* | 762 mm | 509 mm | 30" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD32* | 813 mm | 509 mm | 32" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD34* | 864 mm | 509 mm | 34" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD36* | 914 mm | 509 mm | 36" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD38* | 965 mm | 610 mm | 38" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD40* | 1016 mm | 610 mm | 40" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD42* | 1066 mm | 610 mm | 42" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD44* | 1117 mm | 762 mm | 44" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD46* | 1168 mm | 762 mm | 46" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD48* | 1219 mm | 762 mm | 48" Double Purge Bag System with High Heat Harness |
*Modular Components (ABLD-Size-MOD A and ABLD-Size-MOD B) Sold Separately
Isolator
Model | Dimensions, mm | Description |
АА97211-ISO2 | 51 mm | 2" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO3 | 76 mm | 3" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO4 | 102 mm | 4" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO5 | 127 mm | 5" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO6 | 152 mm | 6" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO8 | 203 mm | 8" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO10 | 254 mm | 10" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO12 | 305 mm | 12" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO14 | 356 mm | 14" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO16 | 406 mm | 16" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO18 | 457 mm | 18" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO20 | 508 mm | 20" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO22 | 559 mm | 22" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO24 | 610 mm | 24" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO26 | 660 mm | 26" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO28 | 711 mm | 28" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO30 | 765 mm | 30" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO32 | 813 mm | 32" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO34 | 863 mm | 34" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO36 | 914 mm | 36" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO38 | 965 mm | 38" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO40 | 1016 mm | 40" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO42 | 1066 mm | 42" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO44 | 1117 mm | 44" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO46 | 1168 mm | 46" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
АА97211-ISO48 | 1219 mm | 48" One-Sided Plug with 10' Hose and Valve |
Accessory Components (Optional Harness Lengths)
Model | Dimensions, mm | Description |
АА97211-ABLD-ELH-24 | 610 mm | 24" (2') Extended Length High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD-ELH-36 | 914 mm | 36" (3') Extended Length High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD-ELH-48 | 1219 mm | 48" (4') Extended Length High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD-ELH-72 | 1828 mm | 72" (6') Extended Length High Heat Harness |
АА97211-ABLD-ELH-CUSTOM | Any Size | Custom Lengths Available Upon Request |