TPi May 2014

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May 2014 Tube Products International 27
products & developments
Inflatable weld purge dams
Sumner Manufacturing has introduced
the third generation of its Purge Star
inflatable weld purge dams for use
with stainless pipe from 50 to 400mm
diameter (2" to 16").
Purge Star inflatable purge dams can be
used to quickly and efficiently create a
reduced-oxygen weld chamber where it
is critical to avoid oxidation in the weld.
“Sumner’s third generation of Purge Star
purge dams are the result of applying
feedback from hours of field use by our
customers,” stated Sumner president
Rob Collins. “Purge Star purge dams
still provide welders with an inexpensive,
time-saving, reusable device that not
only performs a critical application of
increased weld quality, but increases
weld production rate and uses less
argon than ever. Using an inflatable weld
purge dam system, purging a 6" pipe
to less than 1 per cent oxygen content
takes less than three minutes.”
Purge Star weld purge dams are
constructed using a primary and
secondary inflatable dam at either end
that are covered with heat- and spark-
resistant double-stitchedProban® cotton
and connected with a 12-14" armoured
stainless steel spinal hose. The primary
dam is fitted with a primary hose to
inflate the dams and a hose outlet for
venting excess argon. The primary dam
on 12", 14" and 16" models is also fitted
with a secondary hose that can be used
to bypass inflation and quickly flood the
weld chamber with argon.
The third generation of purge dams
combines the weld chamber vent,
secondary outlet for the weld chamber,
pre-set pressure relief valve and
connection to the secondary dam into
a single apparatus for greater efficiency.
The exterior of the primary dam now
includes two size hose barbs for ¼" and
3/ 8" fittings, and a gas exhaust port to fit
a gas analyser hose.
The secondary dam has a reinforced
eyelet pull loop for feeding and retrieving
the purge dam system inside pipe.
Both the primary and secondary dams
are now fitted with quick-disconnect
metal fittings for connecting and
disconnecting the armoured stainless
steel spinal hose.
The system works by connecting the
primary inflation hose to the argon
supply hose. Once the purge dam
system has been positioned with the
primary and secondary dams on either
side of the weld, the flow of argon
to the purge dams can begin. Argon
inflates the primary dam, vents through
the reactive valve to the weld chamber
and flows through the spinal hose to
inflate the secondary dam. When the
weld chamber is fully pressurised, argon
exhausts in the vicinity of the weld and
through the argon vent hose. Welding
can begin once the oxygen level has
reached acceptable levels.
Sumner Manufacturing Co, Inc – USA
HIGH PRESSURE FITTINGS
Forged-Carbon-Alloy-Stainless Steel, Threaded and Socket Weld
PRODUCTS:
90°/45° elbow, tee, union, coupling, bushing, plug, cap, insert, pipe nipple
& swage nipple . . .etc.
MATERIALS:
-Stainless Steel: ASTM A182, F304/304L, F316/316L, F304H/F316H, F317L
-Carbon Steel: ASTM A105, SF440A & A181, A350 LF2
-Alloy Steel: ASTM A182 F11, F22
PRESSURE RATINGS:
2000, 3000, 6000 & 9000 lbs
APPROVAL CERTIFICATES:
ISO-9001 Quality Assurance, L/R, C/R, N/K & ABS register of shipping, PED (CE)
Manufacturer & Exporter
BOTH-WELL STEEL FITTINGS CO., LTD.
No. 303, REN-SIN ROAD REN-WU DISTRICT KAOHSIUNG CITY,
TAIWAN R.O.C. (81460)
Tel: +886 7 3711536, 3710497, 3720260 Fax: +886 7 3713864, 3713882
E-mail: box@ bothwell.com.tw