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._ . <br /> <br />CLIMAX MOLYBDENUM COMPANY <br />A Oinsion ar typms nLma. MMeis co <br />Date: October 25, 1996 <br />To: Tim Eastep <br />From: Rock A. Fankhauser <br />RE: Seep+vater Pipeline <br />COtnNROO OPENATIONS <br />Henderson Mill <br />19302 County Roed a3 <br />Parshall, Colorado 80468 <br />Metro (3031 271-0107 <br />Out of Stete (3031 5693221 <br />Fex: 19701 725-0038 <br />The damaged seepwater pipe line at the Ute Park pump house was exposed by excavation on Tuesday <br />October I5, 1996. Inspection of the pipeline revealed [hat an IS" series ~~N Vic[aulic coupling had failed <br />at the pipe elbow leading out of the pump house. When [he damaged coupling was removed, i[ was <br />obsen•ed That the pipe join[ had been forced open approximately 1/~" and was misaligned approximatel}• <br />I/2". The coupling itself was split along its length, indicating that the joint had pulled apart. <br />The evidence indicates that the coupling failed due [o a combination of problems: <br />1. The coupling was put under stress during the original conswdion in 1976 due to the apparent pipe <br />misalignment. <br />2. The occurrence of water hammer m the elbow caused fatigue in the coupling because there was no <br />thrust block present. <br />Inspection of the rest of the exposed pipeline revealed that [he actual pipe and elbow were in very good <br />condition. The rubber lining in the pipe and elbow were not damaged or corroded, and the protective <br />coating on the outside of the pipe and elbow shoved no signs of deterioration. <br />The following actions were taken [o repair the damaged pipeline and to prevent a future failure: <br />1. The pipe around the failed joint was excavated sufficiently [o allow a proper joint alignment. <br />2. Anew Victaulic coupling and gasket were installed. <br />3. All exposed metal was coated ++•ith an epoxy paint. <br />~. An engineered thrust block was poured around the entire elbow. <br />It is my belief that the root cause of failure was properl}• identified and that all necessary steps were taken <br />to ensure [hat this section of pipeline will not fail in the future. In addition, 1 have asked W W Wheeler to <br />review our current operating and surge pressures and compare them with the design rating of [he <br />remaining pipeline and fittings. Based on Wheeler's recommendations wewill execute modifications as <br />required to ensure the continued integrity of entire seepwater pumping and piping system. <br />Sincereh_• <br />Rock A. Fankhauser, P.E. <br />~J <br />xc: file <br />