Qwik-Freezer®

Qwik-Freezer® equipment utilizes liquid carbon dioxide (CO₂) to freeze stationary water in selected 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 modifications to be made without draining down or shutting off systems.

   

  

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 the liquid CO₂ is injected into the space between the jacket and pipe, it immediately expands to form a solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) at a temperature of -109ºF (-78ºC). This low temperature quickly freezes the contents forming a secure "ice plug" which seals the pipe.

The "ice plug forms only in a section of 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 pipe.

The water is brought to a static condition. The Qwik-Freezer_®jacket (orange) is then wrapped around the pipe, Jacket# 1, at a nearby upstream location. Injecting liquid CO₂ into the jacket rapidly freezes the water in the pipe, permitting valve removal for servicing or replacement. Jacket #2 shows the position of a second Qwik-Freezer_® jacket and tank used when a double freeze is required to block flow on both sides of the valve.

 

	Saves valuable time normally lost in draining down and refilling a system.
	Avoids complete shutdown of systems and equipment (as in a sprinkler or water supply system)
	Prevents waste of large amounts of water.
	Eliminates handling of waste water.
	Safe and cost effective.

	Office & Commercial Buildings
	Petro/ Chemical Refineries
	Food & Beverage Plants.
	Municipalities.
	Hospitals/Nursing Homes
	Industrial Plants
	Water Treatment Facilities
	Conventional & Nuclear Power Plants
	Residential
	Restaurants
	Ships
	Schools/Universities
	Hotels/Motels
	Water Utilities
	Aerospace.

Qwik-Freezer kits consist of insulating pipe jackets, CO₂ cylinder(s), reinforced high pressure hose, fittings, insulated work gloves, a rubber mallet, safety glasses, operating manual, timing log and carrying.

COB provides specially adapted liquid CO₂ cylinders for use with Qwik-Freezer equipment. The COB QFAL20, a 20 pound aluminum cylinder with protective handle, is supplied with 3/8" to 3" kits. A 50 pound aluminum cylinder, QFAL50, is supplied with 4"-8" kits as standard equipment. CO₂ cylinders can be filled by local welding and carbonic distributors.

	QF101 for 3/8" (9.375 mm.) to 3/4" (18.75 mm.) Pipe size.
	QF 102 for 3/4" (18.75 mm.) to 1-1/2" (37.5 mm.) Pipe size.
	QF103 for 1-1/2" (37.5 mm.) to 3" (75 mm.) Pipe size.
	QF104 for 3-1/2" (87.5 mm.) to 4" (100 mm.) Pipe size.
	QF106 for 5" (125 mm.) to 6" (150 mm.) Pipe size.
	QF108 for 7" (175" (175 mm.) to 8" (200mm.) Pipe size.

 

3/8" to 3" FREEZING TABLE

Pipe Jacket	QF 101 8 inches		QF 102 12 inches		QF 103 14 inches
Pipe Size	1/2" (12.5mm.)	3/4" (18.75mm.)	1" (25mm.)	1-1/2" (27.5mm.)	2" (50mm.)	3" (75mm.)
No. of Injections	2	2	3	4	3	6
Injection Time	1 min.	1 min.	1 min.	1 min.	5 min.	5 min.
Waiting Time	3 min.	3 min.	5 min.	5 min.	5 min.	5 min.
Total Time Required	8 min.	8 min.	18 min.	24 min.	30 min.	60 min.
Approx. CO2 Required	1 lb.	1 lb.	3 lbs.	6 lbs.	18 lbs.	36 lbs.

4" to 8" FREEZING TABLE

Pipe Jacket	QF 104 20 inches		QF 106 28 inches		QF 108 33 inches
Pipe Size	3" (75mm.)	4" (100mm.)	5" (125mm.)	7" (175mm.)	8" (203mm.)
No. of Injections	6	7	9	11	15	17
Injection Time	6 min.	8 min.	12 min.	12 min.	12 min.	12 min.
Waiting Time	8 min.	10 min.	8 min.	8 min.	8 min.	8 min.
Total Time Required	84 min.	126 min.	190 min.	220 min.	310 min.	340 min.
Approx. CO2 Required	42 lbs.	65 lbs.	243 lbs.	297 lbs.	405 lbs.	475 lbs.

*NOTE: The above tables are for typical freezing of static water at 68ºF in Schedule 40 steel pipe. Higher temperatures will require additional injection and waiting periods. Plastic pipe will take up to 3 times longer. Refer to Operating Manual for detailed instructions.

For freezing applications on pipes larger than *" (203mm.) I.D. please contact COB industries, Inc. for more Information.