Description
I-Purge component schematic
I-Purge component key
1. Module A
2. Module B
3. Quick connection to Module B
4. Fiberglass high-heat bridge harness
5. Quick connection to Module A
6. Relief valve
7. Direct purge (BLACK) hose
8. Exhaust monitor connection
9. Inflation & purge (BLUE) hose
10. Luminescent indicator
11. Pull loops
12. Gas diffuser
Modular weld purge bladders for 2–70 in. pipe
Aquasol I-Purge modular weld purge bladders create a contained purge zone inside pipe before welding. By sealing the space immediately around the joint, the system reduces the volume that must be filled with inert gas and helps fabricators maintain a clean backing-gas environment.
Built for fabrication teams throughout the USA and Canada, the reusable system covers pipe sizes from 2 to 70 in. (51–1778 mm). Choose a complete system for a specific pipe size, or add individual modules and accessories as work requirements change.
Adaptable configurations for pipe purging
Two bladder modules positioned either side of the weld joint form the normal purge chamber. The quick-connect fittings make assembly and component changes straightforward, while the modular layout can also be configured as a one-sided pipe stopper or used with a reducer arrangement.
High-heat harness options
The extended, heat-resistant harness is intended to keep the bladder modules outside the heat-affected zone. Its protective sleeve, flexible bridge and kink-resistant hose support routing through pipe runs, including elbows and tees. Longer harness lengths are available for preheating and high-temperature welding procedures; sizes 36 in. and above use a high-flow harness to speed inflation.
Key system features
- Durable, spark-resistant outer covers and heavy-duty inflatable inner bags
- Quick-connect, corrosion-resistant fittings for interchangeable modules and replacement parts
- Relief valves that help maintain the pipe-wall seal and guard against over-inflation
- A gas diffuser that distributes inert gas across the weld zone to limit turbulence
- Separate blue, black and white hose connections for inflation/purge, direct purge and exhaust monitoring
- A luminescent indicator and pull loops to support placement and retrieval
How the hose connections work
- Blue hose: inflates the bladders, then supplies purge gas to the weld zone.
- Black hose: provides an additional direct-purge path to improve gas distribution and help evacuate oxygen.
- White hose: provides an exhaust connection for an oxygen monitor when continuous or spot checks are required.
Why use an oxygen monitor with purge bladders?
I-Purge bladders create a controlled purge chamber and reduce the volume of gas needed around the weld. An oxygen monitor verifies residual oxygen at the exhaust through the white hose before welding begins.
Purging for a fixed time is not a reliable measurement. Air can remain trapped because of turbulence, an imperfect seal, pipe geometry or poor venting. A monitor gives the operator an actual oxygen reading, helping confirm that the purge has reached the level required by the welding procedure.
This matters because oxygen at the weld root can cause backside oxidation (“sugaring”), reduce corrosion resistance and create an unsuitable finish for critical food-processing, pharmaceutical, aerospace and high-purity piping work. Monitoring also avoids wasted argon and lost time from purging longer than necessary.
Select the monitor that matches the procedure: use the POM-100B where 100 ppm resolution meets the requirement, or the POM-5B where a 5 ppm resolution threshold is required.
Choosing I-Purge or I-PurgeX
Choose I-Purge when repeat jobs call for dedicated pipe-size modules and a configurable system that can grow with your needs. Consider I-PurgeX multi-size weld purge bladders when an adjustable system is the better fit for a broader range of pipe diameters.
Frequently asked questions
What pipe sizes does I-Purge cover?
Complete systems and modular components are available for pipe sizes from 2 to 70 in. (51–1778 mm).
Can I replace or expand individual components?
Yes. Modules, harnesses and fittings can be selected individually, which makes it possible to replace a worn component or extend an existing setup without purchasing a whole new system.
Is it suitable for preheating or high-temperature welding?
The heat-resistant extended harness is designed to position the bladder modules outside the heat-affected zone. Select the harness length appropriate to the welding procedure and pipe configuration.
Is I-Purge X the same as I-PurgeX?
Yes. Both spellings refer to the same Aquasol multi-size purge bladder system, sold under XABLD part numbers.
Who makes I-Purge purge bladders?
I-Purge and I-Purge X purge bladder systems are made by Aquasol Corporation.
Types & Sizes
I-Purge Standard Inflatable Systems (Sold as Complete System)
| Part # | Pipe Size English | Pipe Size Metric | Harness Length English Longer Lengths Available | Harness Length Metric Longer Lengths Available |
| ABLD 2 | 2″ | 51 mm | 11″ | 279 mm |
| ABLD 3 | 3″ | 76 mm | 11″ | 279 mm |
| ABLD 4 | 4″ | 102 mm | 11″ | 279 mm |
| ABLD 5 | 5″ | 127 mm | 11″ | 279 mm |
| ABLD 6 | 6″ | 152 mm | 11″ | 279 mm |
| ABLD 8 | 8″ | 203 mm | 11″ | 279 mm |
| ABLD 10 | 10″ | 254 mm | 12″ | 305 mm |
| ABLD 12 | 12″ | 305 mm | 12″ | 305 mm |
| ABLD 14 | 14″ | 356 mm | 16″ | 406 mm |
| ABLD 16 | 16″ | 406 mm | 16″ | 406 mm |
| ABLD 18 | 18″ | 457 mm | 16″ | 406 mm |
| ABLD 20 | 20″ | 508 mm | 18″ | 457 mm |
| ABLD 22 | 22″ | 559 mm | 18″ | 457 mm |
| ABLD 24 | 24″ | 610 mm | 18″ | 457 mm |
| ABLD 26 | 26″ | 660 mm | 20″ | 508 mm |
| ABLD 28 | 28″ | 711 mm | 20″ | 508 mm |
| ABLD 30 | 30″ | 762 mm | 20″ | 508 mm |
| ABLD 32 | 32″ | 813 mm | 20″ | 508 mm |
| ABLD 34 | 34″ | 864 mm | 20″ | 508 mm |
| ABLD 36 | 36″ | 914 mm | 20″ | 508 mm |
| ABLD 38 | 38″ | 965 mm | 36″ | 914 mm |
| ABLD 40 | 40″ | 1016 mm | 36″ | 914 mm |
| ABLD 42 | 42″ | 1067 mm | 36″ | 914 mm |
| ABLD 44 | 44″ | 1117 mm | 36″ | 914 mm |
| ABLD 46 | 46″ | 1168 mm | 42″ | 1067 mm |
| ABLD 48 | 48″ | 1219 mm | 42″ | 1067 mm |
| ABLD 50 | 50″ | 1270 mm | 42″ | 1067 mm |
| ABLD 52 | 52″ | 1321 mm | 42″ | 1067 mm |
| ABLD 54 | 54″ | 1372 mm | 42″ | 1067 mm |
| ABLD 56 | 56″ | 1422 mm | 42″ | 1067 mm |
| ABLD 58 | 58″ | 1473 mm | 42″ | 1067 mm |
| ABLD 60 | 60″ | 1524 mm | 42″ | 1067 mm |
| ABLD 62 | 62″ | 1575 mm | 42″ | 1067 mm |
| ABLD 64 | 64″ | 1626 mm | 42″ | 1067 mm |
| ABLD 66 | 66″ | 1676 mm | 42″ | 1067 mm |
| ABLD 68 | 68″ | 1727 mm | 42″ | 1067 mm |
| ABLD 70 | 70″ | 1778 mm | 42″ | 1067 mm |
Modular Components (ABLD-Size-MOD A and ABLD-Size-MOD B) Sold Separately. Part numbers are also written without the space, e.g. ABLD2, ABLD24, ABLD70.
Accessory Components Optional Harness Lengths
Spare parts: replacement Module A and Module B bladders and extended high-heat harnesses are sold separately.
| Item No | Length (in) | Length (mm) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABLD-ELH-24 | 24″ | 610 mm | 24″ (2′) Extended Length High Heat Harness |
| ABLD-ELH-36 | 36″ | 914 mm | 36″ (3′) Extended Length High Heat Harness |
| ABLD-ELH-48 | 48″ | 1219 mm | 48″ (4′) Extended Length High Heat Harness |
| ABLD-ELH-72 | 72″ | 1828 mm | 72″ (6′) Extended Length High Heat Harness |
| ABLD-ELH-CUSTOM | Any Size | Any Size | Custom Lengths Available Upon Request |
| ABLD-CNADP | N/A | N/A | 1/4″ Female MPT to 1/4 Female BSPP Conversion |
