TPi September 2014

products & developments

Explosion isolation valve Camfil Air Pollution Control has introduced the Stinger™, an explosion isolation valve that isolates dust collector explosions to prevent a deflagration from travelling back through the inlet pipe of the dust collector into the workspace.

than the flame front and close the flap valve, protecting downstream personnel and equipment from injury and damage. When the valve is fully closed, a latching mechanism keeps it shut. The closed valve prevents the transmission of flame and keeps smoke, dust and burning debris from travelling through the inlet pipe into the factory. The blade is easily replaceable, eliminating the need to replace the entire valve after an explosion event. A wear-resistant liner that also functions as a wear indicator will show when the blade needs to be replaced. Camfil Air Pollution Control – USA filterman@camfil.com www.camfilapc.com

A key feature of the Stinger valve is a lightweight, patent-pending composite blade that reacts with the highest possible speed in the event of an explosion. It closes faster than heavier steel blades typically used for dust collector inlet protection. Because of its light weight, less pressure drop is needed to hold the blade open during normal flow, saving on energy use. The composite material also has a smooth surface and does not use stiffeners, which can allow dust to build up on the blade to compromise performance. During normal operation, the airflow holds the blade open. If a deflagration occurs in the dust collector, a pressure wave will travel through the pipe faster

Following extensive testing, Camfil APC reports that the Stinger is the first US-made explosion flap valve to be certified by an independent testing agency to comply with NFPA standards. It may be retrofitted onto most dust collection systems and used with new or existing Farr Gold Series ® dust collectors where the risk of a combustible dust explosion exists.

Patent for shallow water pipelay technology Subsea services and technology products company Cortez Subsea has been granted a UK patent for its Modular Pipelay System, making new shallow water pipelay technology available to the North Sea for the first time. fabrication and trials of the first of the units for operations at the beginning of 2015.”

“This is a significant step in the development of our company towards advancing technology and maximising value for the subseamarket,” said Cortez Subsea managing director Alasdair Cowie. “The Zap-Lok connection, which has been used onshore and offshore for over 40 years, has gone through significant testing and is now approved by a number of major and independent oil and gas companies who see the advantage of the Zap-Lok technology. We are now progressing towards

The collaboration has seen the continued development in the application of the Zap-Lok mechanical pipeline connection for offshore application. The Modular Pipelay System allows the use of the Zap-Lok connected pipeline to be installed from a suitable offshore multi-purpose DP vessel. The system is designed to facilitate the storage, handling, connection and deployment of the pipeline in an S-lay configuration onto the seabed at a speed of three to five minutes per joint, for a daily installation rate of up to 5km. “The market for shallow water and replacement pipelines is significant and expected to continue growing as operators increasingly look to maximise the return on their investments,” added Mr Cowie. “The Zap-Lok connection coupled with the Modular Pipelay System provides the market with a cost- effective pipeline installation method and positions us, as a business, for the next stage of our growth strategy.”

The technology comes from a collaboration between Cortez Subsea and NOV Tuboscope Zap-Lok, and following three years of research and development the first trials will begin at the start of 2015.

Cortez Subsea Ltd – UK info@cortezsubsea.com www.cortezsubsea.com

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Tube Products International September 2014

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