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Tube Products International October 2012
valves & f i t t ings
Surface hardening on stainless steel fittings
SSP, a manufacturer of instrumentation
fittings, valves and tubing, has
announced global and proprietary rights
to the Expanite
®
process of hardening
stainless steel fittings while improving
corrosion resistance – important in
highly corrosive environments such
as chemical process and oil and gas
applications where fittings must not
leak.
In addition to improving fitting
performance, installation is easier with
less make-up torque due to reduced
friction, impacting worker fatigue. The
Expanite process, developed and
tested by Thomas S Hummelshoj at the
Technical University of Denmark, uses a
patented process for surface hardening
of stainless steel.
Expanite is not a coating, but a process
that impregnates the stainless steel
surface with carbon and nitrogen.
“By adopting the Expanite process,
SSP now offers industry-leading
performance of our instrumentation
tube fittings, especially the critical back
ferrule,” noted Jeff King, CEO of SSP.
“Additionally, our worldwide network
of distributors can be confident their
properly installed, precision machined
fittings and specification controlled
tubing will offer leak-free, industry-
standard performance.”
Further information, including a
performance study, can be found at
-
superior-corrosion-resistance
SSP
– USA
Schroeder Valves commissions
flow test facility
Schroeder Valves’ newhigh performance
flow test loop has started operation. This
facility provides increased capacity and
functionality compared to the existing
flow test loop that has been in operation
for a number of years. The flow test
facility allows Schroeder to carry out
a complete functional test for each
automatic recirculation control (ARC)
valve prior to delivery to the customer.
The flow test loop is the centrepiece of
the company’s commitment to quality
control and customer satisfaction. It is
one of the most advanced valve test
facilities in the world with a number of
impressive statistics. The water storage
tank has a capacity of 80m
3
and a total of
seven pumps with an individual capacity
ranging from 120m
3
/h to 2,200m
3
/h. The
pumps are all electric motor driven with
power ratings ranging from 30 to 500kW.
Different combinations of pumps can be
used together, and the maximum flow
capacity of the test loop is 4,000m
3
/h.
The flow test facility has five separate
stations for testing valves with nominal
sizes from DN 25 to DN 750 (1" to
30"). Two independent flow tests can be
carried out simultaneously.
The test facility has a state-of-
the-art PLC system that allows
the flow test to be run fully
automated, semi-automated
or manually. All of the critical
performance parameters of
the ARC valve are measured
and recorded. These include
bypass flow capacity (Kv
value); the closing point of
the bypass on increasing main
flow, and opening point of the
bypass on decreasing main flow (switch
point); and the pressure drop in the main
flow direction measured over the full
operating range of the valve.
A flow test curve is supplied as part of
the quality control documentation.
This test curve verifies that the valve
performs to the customer’s specified
requirements. The flow test medium is
water, and the test curve is automatically
corrected for actual service liquid if the
specific gravity differs from that of water.
The test data is permanently stored, and
can be referred to at any time following
the flow test.
Schroeder Valves is a specialist for
protective pump fittings. For more
than 60 years the company has been
offering its customers the highest level
of precision technology.
Schroeder Valves GmbH & Co KG
–
Germany
SSP with Expanite – 216 hours – 12.5% sodium hypochlorate
Three competing brands – 24 hours – 12.5% sodium hypochlorate
Schroeder Valves’ flow test facility
