TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
perform maintenance on flowlines that have jacked out of
the ground.
The Spinfreeze system is surprisingly simple. A pre-drill
mandrel is used to create a hole in the ground in which the
pile is inserted. This preliminary work heats underground
layers to 900 degrees Fahrenheit by way of rotational resistance,
which creates natural slurry that bonds to the pile and
helps create increased capacity when it cools. In shallower
depths, the pile itself with an attached cutter shoe can be
used to create the slurry for the ad-freeze bond.
The pile can be extended using threaded coupling technology,
which also serves to reinforce the pile’s section modulus
by increasing the diameter through the coupling section.
Multiple extensions can be added to easily reach the required
depth.
Operations manager Matt Fenwick says one of the biggest
benefits of the system is that it can dramatically lower the
costs of construction in northern climates by reducing manpower
and equipment needs and eliminating several steps
required by more conventional systems.
The Spinfreeze system typically requires just one operator
and a two-member ground crew. Because it uses threaded
couplings to extend the piles, there is no costly or timeconsuming
splicing or welding required. Smaller crew
One of the biggest
benefits of the
system is that it can
dramatically lower the
costs of construction
in northern climates
by reducing manpower
and equipment needs
and eliminating several
steps required by more
conventional systems.
means,” said Fenwick. “With the ease of installation of this
system, these piles can be installed and capped in under 30
minutes with the three-man crew. What we’ve tried to do is
create a process that minimizes any derailments. For project
owners who foot the bill on these large projects, this in
itself should provide a huge sigh of relief.”
Another key feature of the Spinfreeze system is its adjustable
cap technology. The cap’s modular design features a
socketed ball connection that gives the user the means to
adjust not only the elevation but also the skew and the roll of
the cap. That means they adjust the skew by as much as 360
degrees, adjust the elevation of the pile by up to 14 inches and
level the cap plate by up to three degrees in both directions
when any jacking or settling might occur.
“There’s nothing like it on the market right now,” said
Fenwick, adding a minimal amount of labour is required to
adjust the caps.
The patented technology used to create the cap system
allows for it to be used just as easily in confined spaces as
more open ones, and can dramatically reduce the amount
of strain on flow lines. The caps are manufactured by APE
Drilling at its manufacturing plant in Magnolia, Texas. APE’s
Texas facility offers state of the art fabrication, which utilizes
robotic technologies.
The Spinfreeze system is also unique compared to other
more conventional piling systems in that it was designed to
limit its impact on the environment.
requirements also provide savings in terms of housing, and
road construction can be offset by the reduced equipment
needs during installation.
“Our system provides a lot more certainty in terms of labour
needs … during installation than other, more conventional CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
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