TPi May 2017

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52 TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL May 2017
Fi t t ings , valves , f langes & connectors
High performance seal
available on extended range
of deep groove ball bearings
SKF is making its RSH seal design
available on a larger range of Explorer
deep groove ball bearings.
The RSH seal uses an optimised dual-
lip configuration to provide additional
protection in demanding environments.
For users, the result is bearings that last
longer, especially in wet, contaminated
or dusty operating conditions.
The secondary lip on the seal withstands
high-pressure cleaning and offers
increased resistance to the ingress of
dust and other contaminants, while
the seal’s internal geometry has been
optimised for smooth running and
improved grease retention.
The seal is made from acrylo-nitrile-
butadiene rubber (NBR), which is
resistant to mineral oil-based lubricants,
petroleum products and animal or
vegetable fats. It has an operating
temperature range of -40 to +100°C and
up to +120°C for brief periods.
Previously only available on bearings
with a bore diameter of 25mm or less,
the RSH seal has now been further
developed and tested for use in bearings
up to 60mm in bore diameter.
Users can specify SKF Explorer deep
groove ball bearings with the new RSH
seal installed on one or both sides,
depending on the requirements of the
end application. The
new bearing variants
are already being
introduced, and the full
range will be available
worldwide by July.
The extended RSH
offering joins a growing
list of options and
improvements in the
SKF Explorer range. These include
numerous shield and seal configurations
and a choice of cage materials and
lubricants.
Explorer was originally developed to
take advantage of research into high-
purity steels with improved fatigue
resistance, allowing the development
of bearings with a longer rated life and
lower friction. Deep groove ball bearings
joined the range 14 years ago.
SKF – Sweden
Safety valves: protecting employees,
equipment and the environment
Alfa Laval has introduced the spring-
loaded Safety Valve, designed to
protect both equipment and people. In
a potentially dangerous situation, the
valve will open at a pre-determined
pressure.
The compressed spring force keeping
the valve closed is forced open when
pressure builds up at the inlet of the
safety valve.
As these forces balance out, the valve
will discharge and decrease pressure,
ultimately reclosing as the system returns
to normal. Key features include dedicated
and reliable protection against accidents;
calibration to the desired pressure set
point, sealed and delivered with a PED
certificate; and a hygienic design that
eliminates unsanitary leaks and overflow
during and after pressure peaks.
The company also recently introduced
a range of Alfa Laval Scandi Brew
anti-vacuum and overpressure valves.
These safety valves protect against
overpressure in tanks and pipelines,
eg from overfilling or fermentation
processes. They also protect against
implosion, for example due to a vacuum
caused by cold rinsing after hot cleaning
or blocking of gas supply during
emptying.
The Alfa Laval Safety Valve can be
combined with the Alfa Laval SB Anti
Vacuum House into a combined safety
valve, protecting against both vacuum
and overpressure in one hygienic valve
solution with a single tank connection.
Alfa Laval – Sweden
The secondary lip withstands high-pressure
cleaning and increases resistance to
contaminants