the land area for storage, while other parts would be utilized for the 

 construction of the pipe-coating plant and other buildings. Pipe-coating 

 may be done outside, depending on weather conditions and steps involved. 



The construction of the marine terminal for pipe receiving and 

 shipping would involve the dredging of berths, a turning basin, and a 

 navigation channel (15 to 30 feet deep). The projects could be done 

 with a variety of machinery from dragline to hydraulic dredges. If the 

 dredged material is sand, gravel, or oyster shell, it could be utilized 

 for filling or surfacing the land areas, but dredge material of loose, 

 unconsolidated mud and clay would need a disposal site. A bulkhead 

 several hundred feet long would have to be constructed to accommodate 

 ships and barges loading and unloading pipe and materials. 



Operations 



The pipe-coating process has two major components: (1) the 

 application of an anti-corrosion (mastic) coating and; (2) the 

 application of a weight (concrete) coating. 



Pipe first enters a cleaning building where it is scraped, brushed, 

 and sandblasted to remove rust and to yield a good, clean surface for 

 the anti-corrosive coating. The anti-corrosive coat is applied as a 

 hot, asphaltic mixture after which the pipe is cooled by water to reduce 

 the temperature and yield to a smooth mastic. Hydrated lime is added 

 to the freshly coated pipe to assist cooling and to prevent sticking 

 when pipes are stored. Electronic and other inspections determine if 

 the anti-corrosive coating is uniform and ready for the next step. Care 

 must be taken not to damage the newly applied coat. 



Concrete is applied as an outer layer by being sprayed at high 

 speeds and by adhering to the rotating pipe giving a thick coat. 

 Galvanized wire wrapped around the pipe provides adhesiveness. Weighing 

 determines if the pipe will meet the proper specifications (140 to 190 

 lbs. per cubic foot) for the intended use. When finished, the pipe is 

 placed unstacked on sand rows to allow adequate curing, after which the 

 coated pipe is ready to be loaded onto a supply boat. The boat carries 

 the pipe from the marine terminal to the offshore lay-barge where the 

 pipe-laying operations are conducted. 



Community Effects 



A pipe-coating yard requires about 100 acres (primarily for storage), 

 a waterfront location or access to a marine terminal, a level site with 

 compacted soils, and access to transporation systems. It would probably 

 be located outside an urban area because of land costs, but it needs 

 access to a wharf or pier. 



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