Soda Recovery Boiler Service in Sweden – Welding and Installation Works

April 21, 2026

During a short shutdown at a paper mill in Sweden, PRO-Welding Industry Services performed service works on the pressure part of a soda recovery boiler.

The project was executed in a confined environment with a high density of pipes, requiring precise coordination between fitters and welders.

All welds successfully passed 100% radiographic testing (RT), confirming full compliance with quality requirements.

1. SCOPE OF WORK – SODA RECOVERY BOILER SERVICE

replacement of superheater elbows,
replacement of outlet pipe sections passing through the membrane wall into vertical chambers.

The work was carried out in highly confined conditions with a high density of piping.
Execution required not only proper planning, but above all high welding precision.

A key factor was also the well-coordinated cooperation between fitters and welders, enabling smooth execution of works in a demanding environment.

2. KEY CHALLENGES

limited access to welding locations,
work between densely arranged pipes,
maintaining high execution accuracy at membrane wall penetrations.

PROJECT RESULTS

As a result of the performed works:

full tightness of membrane wall penetrations was achieved,
100% of welds were accepted following radiographic testing (RT).

Organization of Welding Works in Confined Access Conditions

Execution of welding works in high-density piping environments requires not only practical experience, but above all proper planning and team selection.

For projects of this type, PRO-Welding assigns welders and fitters specifically to the task, taking into account their experience, qualifications, and ability to work in confined spaces.

Each stage — from preparation and fitting to welding — is carefully planned and synchronized to eliminate downtime and avoid work collisions.

In practice, this means:

optimized sequencing of fitting and welding activities,
reduced waiting time between stages,
maximum use of available workspace.

This approach not only improves execution efficiency, but above all ensures a stable and high level of quality — especially in restricted access areas.

1. Importance of Team Coordination and Project Supervision

In projects carried out by PRO-Welding, close cooperation between fitters and welders plays a key role, supported by continuous supervision and coordination of the works.

Precise preparation of components by fitters directly impacts the quality and repeatability of welds performed by welders.

At the same time, ongoing supervision allows for quick response to changing site conditions.

A well-coordinated team enables: