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Focus on Pipes, Tubing and Fittings

| By Suzanne Shelley

Plastic caps with corrosion inhibitors protect pipe in transit

Cortec

The CorroLogic CorrPlug caps (photo) protect pipe ends, pipe threads and other tubular objects from corrosion, mechanical damage and intrusion (by foreign objects) during storage and shipping. These pipe caps are constructed from heavy-wall black polyethylene that contains proprietary, vapor-phase corrosion inhibitors. They are designed for easy installation and removal, which helps to reduce labor needs. During humidity testing, pipe threads equipped with these caps showed a significant advantage in corrosion resistance compared to those capped with regular plastic caps that contain no corrosion inhibitors, says the company. These caps are made to order in most standard NPT pipe sizes, ranging from 0.25 to 65 in. in dia. They protect carbon steel, stainless steel, copper, brass and aluminum pipes. — Cortec Corp., St. Paul, Minn.

www.cortecvci.com

These pipe and tube couplings are self-aligning

Tuf-Lok International

The Tuf-Lok ring-grip pipe couplings (photo) are heavy-duty, self-aligning couplings that are suitable for either high-pressure (to 150 psig) or full vacuum-rated applications. These couplings install quickly and easily, reducing installation costs. They are available in 2-in. dia. (50-mm) through 10-in. dia. (250-mm) pipe sizes. They are made for use on plain-end pipes, regardless of pipe wall thickness. No machining or grooving is required to maintain pipe integrity. They are designed to be self-grounding, vibration-resistant and leak-proof. Numerous gasket materials are available to help operators meet desired design conditions for food-grade, higher-temperature and special chemical-resistant applications. They install easily, making them ideal for situations that require frequent assembly and dissambly, says the company. — Tuf-Lok International, Madison, Wis.

www.tuflok.com

 

These piping components withstand harsh chemicals

GF Piping System

The ChlorFIT piping system (photo), made from Schedule 80 chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), is designed to provide a long-lasting, cost-effective alternative to copper and stainless-steel piping for applications that require transport of corrosive fluids. This helps to reduce maintenance and replacement costs, compared to traditional installations, says the company. The pipes and fittings are extruded or molded from premium-grade CPVC compound, which has proven resistance to nitric acid, sodium chloride, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid and hydrochloric acid, as well as many other corrosive fluids. This material also has superior fire-resistant qualities, and holds the ICC-ES PMG E84 25/50 plenum fire rating. Unlike many other thermoplastic piping options, ChlorFIT can operate at temperatures from 32–200°F (higher than many other plastic piping systems), and is more lightweight and easier to handle than metal piping solutions. Pipes are available in sizes from 0.25 to 24 in. dia., and joining is accomplished with solvent welding, threaded joints and full-pressure flanges. — GF Piping Systems, Irvine, Calif.

www.gfps.com

 

These tubes and fittings meet rigorous high-purity needs

This company’s comprehensive family of DIN tubes and fittings (photo) is specifically designed for food, dairy, beverage, personal care, biotechnology and pharmaceutical applications. All products are designed to have crevice-free interiors and secure, self-aligning joints, and they meet ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environmental) standards. The product family includes unions, clamp fittings, flanges, bends, tees, reducers and tubes that reduce corrosion resistance. Reliable dimensional accuracy and structural integrity make them easy to install, says the firm. — Alfa Laval Kolding A/S, Kolding, Denmark

www.alfalaval.com

 

Use quick-release couplings in food-related applications

Eisele Pneumatics

The stainless-steel fittings in the Inoxline product family (photo) were developed for use in hygiene-sensitive areas. Four versions of the quick-release, push-in couplings are available: round, triangular, hexagonal and octagonal. An optional shutoff on both sides offers enhanced safety. The latest products in the family are coded, quick-release couplings that are designed for compressed air. The connectors are manufactured from stainless steel 1.4404, are equipped with FDA-compliant seals, and prevent the penetration of contamination through the outer contour in the connected state, making them suitable for use in food-related environments. The durable connectors are designed for operating pressures from 0.5 to 1 bar. — Eisele Pneumatics GmbH & Co., Waiblingen, Germany

www.eisele.eu

 

System enhances safety when changing connectors

The patented BFM Connector flexible fitting and connector system allows for a snap-fit installation that requires no tools. This creates a safer alternative to traditional hose-clip type connectors, says the company, thereby eliminating the risk of injury to workers. A recent innovation from the company — the BFM Pneumatic Monitoring System (photo) — pumps pressurized air between the silicone cuff of the BFM conector and the spigot in which it sits. An air-line sensor immediately detects if this outward pressure is released as the connector cuff starts to be removed, setting off an alarm and shutting off any moving parts below. This enhances safety for workers who are removing connectors in these types of positions. The standard option is waterproof and dustproof (to IP65 level), and an ATEX-compliant version is also available. The system has a tamper-proof gage and can be used as a positional sensor to ensure all connectors are installed correctly at all times. — BFM Global Ltd., Houston

www.bfmfitting.com

These seals avoid damage by ‘explosive decompression’

Firma C. Otto Gehrckens (COG)

Elastomer seals are used to create a barrier to prevent the escape of gaseous media from valves, pipes, fittings or pig traps. When the pressure of highly pressurized gases falls to a very low level within a short period of time, the seal can become damaged by a process caused explosive decompression (creating tearing or blistering of the surface; photo, p. 20). This company has developed seven advanced compounds that provide superior resistance against explosive decompression. All of these new compounds fulfill the NORSOK Standard M-710 requirements, and several fulfill the API 6A and 6D standard and the TM 0297 and TM 0187 from the National Assn. of Corrosion Engineers. — Firma C. Otto Gehrckens (COG) GmbH & Co. KG, Pinneberg, Germany

www.cog.de

 

 

This simulation and sizing tool has added new capabilities

This developer of simulation and sizing tools for piping has released Version 4.83 of Pass/Start-Prof. The latest version contains significantly broader support for a diverse array of international standards related to stress analysis and sizing of piping systems, says the company. This version also extends the piping-support database delivered with the program, showcasing data related to both variable springs and constant-load springs. — PSRE Co., Montreal, Canada

www.passuite.com

 

Corrugated tubing provides advantages distributing gases

OmegaFlex

MediTrac is said to be the world’s first corrugated medical tubing (CMT; photo) for distribution of medical gases (including medical air, oxygen, nitrogen, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide) and medical vacuum. Unlike rigid copper tubing that must be installed in numerous brazed sections using elbow joints to accommodate a facility layout, MediTrac semi-rigid tubing installs in a single, bendable length that can be routed around existing structures. Made from copper alloy and sold in continuous-length rolls, MediTrac includes a fire-retardant jacket and axial swaged brass fittings. It eliminates hot work, says the manufacturer. It is available in sizes from 0.5 to 2 in. dia. — OmegaFlex, Inc., Exton, Pa.

www.omegaflexcorp.com

Platinum-cured silicone tubing handles temperature extremes

AdvantaSil Ultra Low Temperature Silicone Tubing products provide platinum-cured tubing to support single-use, cold storage and bulk-drug transport of high-value cell and drug products produced during pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The products withstand temperatures from –112°C to 175°C, and are available as bulk tubing, and within single-use assemblies with molded T-shaped, Y-shaped connectors, crosses and reducer connectors, and as bag assemblies and container closures. The tubing can be sterilized by autoclave or gamma irradiation. It is available in five sizes ranging from 1/8 to 1/2 in. inner dia. — AdvantaPure, div. of NewAge Industries, Southampton, Pa.

www.newageindustries.com

 

Sealing assembly joins plastic pipe with aluminum flanges

This company has extended its Roxtec Sleev-It product line (photo), which combines lightweight aluminum flanges with plastic pipe seals. These connectors are designed for use on offshore vessels and transport ships, where the low weight of aluminum makes it a valued material choice. The seals for aluminum structures are approved for both A-60 and A-0 fire-rated divisions. The waterproof version is also approved for 1-bar water-tightness and 0.67-bar gas tightness. — Roxtec International AB, Karlskrona, Sweden

www.roxtec.com

 

Pipe-cleaning system uses high-speed flow and biocides

Vink Chemicals

The Ecoline Pipe Purification system is a cleaning process for pipelines in production plants (photo). It uses the company’s Vinkocide SR1 and Vinkocide SR3 cleaning products to remove biofilm and product buildup from inside pipelines. It uses high-throughput flow to produce a strong shearing effect on pipe surfaces — an approach that is designed to reduce energy consumption and wastewater consumption compared to traditional methods, says the company. The system can be used as a stationary or mobile unit. — Vink Chemicals GmbH & Co. KG, Kakenstorf, Germany

www.vink-chemicals.com

 

SPX Flow

Use magnetic technology to track pipeline pigs

The GD Engineering Hi-T Magalert (photo) uses magnetic technology to detect, signal and log the passage of magnetic cleaning pigs at critical points along a pipeline. It is designed for straightforward, easy use, requires no additional setup or maintenance tools, and is ATEX-compliant, housed within a fully certified aluminum or 316 stainless-steel explosion-proof housing that is suitable for use in Zone 1, Zone 2, Group IIa, IIB and H2 areas. The Hi-T Magalert units can be supplied with built-in battery power, data logging and an alarm interface, making them ideal for use as mobile devices that can be easily relocated. The Hi-T Magalert system can be attached to a personal computer to download all stored data. — SPX Flow Inc., Charlotte, N.C.

www.spxflow.com

 

 

DMN Westinghouse

These couplings identify and remove contaminants in piping

Morris couplings (photo) are designed for use throughout the chemical process, food and pharmaceutical industries, where ensuring product safety is essential. These couplings are available with standard white gaskets, or with blue metal-detectable gaskets, which are visible to most of the metal detector and scanning systems available today. Using the blue metal-detectable gaskets allows any contamination of the conveyed product can be easily pinpointed and removed with minimal disruption to the process, says the company. Metal-detectable gaskets are Certified EU1935 food safe, resistant to animal or vegetable oils and fatty acids, and resistant to damage from wear and steam. These gaskets can be supplied with both new couplings or retrofitted. — DMN Westinghouse, West Memphis, Ark.

www.dmnwestinghouse.com

Suzanne Shelley