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FluidSafe fluorescent additive saves money by detecting hydraulic fluid leaks early
FluidSafe fluorescent additive from Alerton International quickly detects hydraulic leaks in fluid power system hoses, fittings, seals and other components. This saves money by reducing operating costs. Undetected hydraulic fluid leaks cost the mining industry untold amounts of money. This includes the costs of fluid replacement, problematic system operation, equipment breakdown, fines for environmental contamination, and the possibility of fluid injection injuries to personnel. It has been estimated that in North America alone, over 100 million gallons (380 million litres) of hydraulic fluid could be saved every year if leakage was eliminated. FluidSafe is ideal for preventive maintenance. When used in combination with a SafetyBlu blue light inspection kit or blue lens filter specially designed to fit over a variety of mining lamps, it can easily detect fluid leaks that are usually very hard to find. The exact source of even extremely small leaks is pinpointed by its bright green fluorescent glow. Users have reported a 5% to 7% savings in hydraulic fluid consumption. At $5 per gallon ($1.30 per litre) for hydraulic fluid, these savings are equivalent to $0.25 to $0.35 per gallon (3.8 L) ─ vastly surpassing the cost of FluidSafe. FluidSafe is available in two specially formulated blends to work with both oil-based hydraulic fluids and oil-in-water emulsion hydraulic fluids. www.alertoninternational.com.
$1 million Subsea Well Response Project order for Amarinth
Amarinth – the company specialising in the design, application and manufacture of centrifugal pumps and associated equipment to the Oil & Gas, petrochemical, chemical, industrial and renewable energy markets – has been appointed by Expro to deliver US$1 million of API 610 OH1 pumps for the Subsea Well Response Project.
New hand pump range ‘for every industrial application’
Holmatro is introducing a new series of hand pumps said to be suitable for all industrial applications. The company reports that, from experience, it knows that not all employees treat tools with equal care. This, it adds, is why the new Holmatro hand pumps are very robust. According to Holmatro, the pumps can withstand rough treatment and are not affected by rain or sand. They are also said to be very service- and maintenance-friendly. All technical parts are very accessible and modules can easily be replaced without disassembling the tank.
Poclain launches MI250 large displacement motor
Poclain Hydraulics is turning towards its more demanding markets with a new hydraulic motor that has a maximum displacement of 30 L. According to the company, this product will satisfy its customers’ requirements for reliability and lifespan, while also coming in a compact size.
Subsea high pressure hoses for enhanced safety and increased uptime
Power management company Eaton has launched the Synflex 3395-32 and 3394-32 Thermoplastic Hoses, designed specifically to help increase uptime, safety and reliability for subsea oil and gas applications. The new high pressure hoses are a market exclusive for 2-inch hoses reinforced with Kevlar to withstand the demanding oil and gas industry in a lightweight package. “Uptime is crucial to the success of operations within the critical environments faced by the oil and gas industry each day,” said Ulrich Ammer, product marketing manager at Eaton. “Eaton’s Synflex offering helps keep projects up and running with light weight, durable, Kevlar-reinforced hoses that are safer and easier to handle in even the most challenging environmental conditions.” Light, flexible and buoyant By reinforcing each hose with Kevlar instead of steel wire, this latest Synflex product development is claimed to be considerably lighter, more flexible and more buoyant than competitive steel wire reinforced hoses. At less than 1.4 pounds per foot (lbs/ft.) in air, the 3395-32 weighs in 3 lbs/ft. lighter than steel wire hoses, considerable weight savings when factoring in the thousands of feet required for subsea applications. The weight reduction removes the need for specialty equipment to deploy down and reel up the hose, while making it easier and safer for workers to move or carry. Both the 3395-32 and 3394-32 hoses are built with P40 TL grade nylon core tubes, with two braids of Kevlar aramid fiber reinforcement and jacketed with black polyurethane, which is pin-pricked in accordance with API 17E. The Guardian abrasion protection and patent-pending detection overlay is separated from the base hose by a Mylar film with a linear monofilament to permit gas flow between the hose and the overlay. The 3395-32 hose is rated for 5,000 pounds per square inch (psi) working pressure and a 3-to-1 burst to WP ratio, while the 3394-32 hose is rated for 3750 psi working pressuring with a full API 17E rating and 4-to-1 burst to WP ratio. Both products exceed 200,000 impulse test cycles and can withstand operating temperatures ranging from -40 to 72 degrees Celsius. The hoses are currently available in continuous lengths up to 2500 feet. www.eaton.com/hydraulicsSubsea high pressure hoses for enhanced safety and increased uptime
Power management company Eaton has launched the Synflex 3395-32 and 3394-32 Thermoplastic Hoses, designed specifically to help increase uptime, safety and reliability for subsea oil and gas applications. The new high pressure hoses are a market exclusive for 2-inch hoses reinforced with Kevlar to withstand the demanding oil and gas industry in a lightweight package. “Uptime is crucial to the success of operations within the critical environments faced by the oil and gas industry each day,” said Ulrich Ammer, product marketing manager at Eaton. “Eaton’s Synflex offering helps keep projects up and running with light weight, durable, Kevlar-reinforced hoses that are safer and easier to handle in even the most challenging environmental conditions.” Light, flexible and buoyant By reinforcing each hose with Kevlar instead of steel wire, this latest Synflex product development is claimed to be considerably lighter, more flexible and more buoyant than competitive steel wire reinforced hoses. At less than 1.4 pounds per foot (lbs/ft.) in air, the 3395-32 weighs in 3 lbs/ft. lighter than steel wire hoses, considerable weight savings when factoring in the thousands of feet required for subsea applications. The weight reduction removes the need for specialty equipment to deploy down and reel up the hose, while making it easier and safer for workers to move or carry. Both the 3395-32 and 3394-32 hoses are built with P40 TL grade nylon core tubes, with two braids of Kevlar aramid fiber reinforcement and jacketed with black polyurethane, which is pin-pricked in accordance with API 17E. The Guardian abrasion protection and patent-pending detection overlay is separated from the base hose by a Mylar film with a linear monofilament to permit gas flow between the hose and the overlay. The 3395-32 hose is rated for 5,000 pounds per square inch (psi) working pressure and a 3-to-1 burst to WP ratio, while the 3394-32 hose is rated for 3750 psi working pressuring with a full API 17E rating and 4-to-1 burst to WP ratio. Both products exceed 200,000 impulse test cycles and can withstand operating temperatures ranging from -40 to 72 degrees Celsius. The hoses are currently available in continuous lengths up to 2500 feet. www.eaton.com/hydraulics
What to know about solid contaminants
MP Filtri UK answers some commonly asked questions surrounding solid contaminants and how to keep your hydraulic fluid as clean and efficient as possible. What routines must be followed in order to minimise the chances of my hydraulic equipment suffering costly, premature component failures and unscheduled downtime? Six main routines must be followed: • Maintain fluid cleanliness; ISO 4406 /NAS 1638 etc. • Maintain fluid temperature and viscosity within optimum limits. • Maintain hydraulic system settings to manufacturers' specifications; e.g. ISO/NAS cleanliness for components, pressures etc. • Schedule component change-outs before they fail. Always bear in mind the anticipated life of component. • Follow correct commissioning procedures; including flushing and start-up procedures. • Conduct proactive analysis; regular monitoring, filter replacements, daily/weekly inspections etc. How can I limit solid contamination from entering my system? Good Housekeeping practices are essential. A few steps you can take to make an immediate difference include: • No food and drink near your process. • Pre-filter your new or used oil before placing into or returning back to the tank. • Use a dedicated funnel for that type of fluid for pouring into the tank. • Have a dedicated fill point for the reservoir. • Use a sloped or conical tank design with an outlet at the bottom so that contaminants captured by the first bank of filters • After filling or topping up with new oil, let the system flow and filter, reaching a natural equilibrium point before using live in your process. • Fit good quality breathers that are suitable for the application.3 micron or better. • Regularly replace the breathers, especially in harsh environments. How clean is clean? The answer to this question varies from customer to customer, depending on their requirements and system conditions. What can be said is that the decision to control contamination is normally based on the sensitivity of the components within the process (e.g. servo valves, actuators). There is widely publicised data on the clearances in these types of component and the cleanliness levels required. This information can also be found on the MP Filtri website. One of the main things that is overlooked in the industry is scale of cleanliness we are trying to control and measure. This is important to consider as it may change the way you choose to use your data to get a more realistic picture of system conditions over time. Below is a diagram showing the typical size particles we filter every day and measure with APC’s compared to common objects. It puts into perspective the challenge faced when designing a system. To eliminate all contaminants below a certain size is extremely difficult when you consider all the possible sources of contamination surrounding the system. Care should always be taken to select the right equipment and use suitable statistical methods when evaluating data, making decisions and taking action. What are the predominant types of contamination in my hydraulic system? This can vary considerably depending on the type of system and installation, but below are some typical types of contamination. By looking at the certain types, conclusions can often be drawn as to where the contaminant may be entering the system. Steps can then be taken to reduce the effects of such a contaminant… • Metallic — both ferrous and non-ferrous. • Silica (dirt, dust). • Silt. • Filter fibers. • Bacteria colonies. • Water. What effect does particulate contamination have on my system? Contamination can induce excessive stress on system components like pumps and valves as well as potentially clogging orifices, nozzles, and jets. One of the main areas of degradation is the formation of oxygenated & heavy polymeric compounds. These compounds are often in-soluble and settle out of the fluid as a gel or sludge. The creation of such compounds is accelerated in the presence of water and metal and so care should be taken to remove these types of contaminant from your oil. Typically when a fluid is contaminated its viscosity can vary, leading to higher than normal friction, subsequent temperature increases and loss of lubricity. This can reduce system efficiency, wear components and effect compression rates. In the worst case contamination can lead to catastrophic failure. Below is a list common complaints associated with un-suitable fluid condition: • Mechanical wear. • Clogging of nozzles, orifices and valves. • Corrosion. • Loss of protective coatings on components. • Increased operating temperatures • Change in fluid compressibility. What factors can effect particle distribution & concentration within my system? Unlike laboratory conditions real world applications are constantly changing. As a system operates, contamination is generated and needs to be controlled. As it is physically impossible to achieve 100 per cent efficiency in any given system, some particles will always get through filtration. This is one source of variation. More often than not it is assumed that downstream of any filtering and purification the fluid is ‘clean’ however this may not be the case. As in most hydraulic systems, construction is mainly metal or elastomer/textile based. Over time, and in reaction to changing fluid conditions such as temperature, pressure and chemical decomposition, these materials can become susceptible to corrosion and leach out contaminants into the system. Homogeneity plays a significant part in accurately assessing contamination in a system. A homogenous solution is uniform in its composition and particles are evenly distributed within it. It is fair to conclude that the majority of real world systems are heterogeneous (unevenly composed) and therefore when taking measurements this must be considered as a significant variable between tests. Factors including but not exclusive to viscosity, temperature, electrical conductivity, surface tension can contribute negatively to the overall quality of your fluid. www.mpfiltri.co.ukKeep safe and efficient through hydraulic hose awareness
Chris Buxton, CEO of the British Fluid Power Association (BFPA), and Martin Kingsbury, the BFPA’s membership director, consider some important safety and efficiency aspects to be aware of when sourcing, fitting, using, maintaining and replacing hydraulic hoses. As any engineering professional knows, hydraulic hoses have an invaluable part to play in the efficient running of many types of industrial and mobile plant. For example, they are often used for the supply of oil under pressure for motion control in high-powered machinery such as cranes, excavators and extruder equipment. If they are supplied to the user or OEM to the correct specifications, and installed in accordance with current guidelines, they will likely operate reliably and efficiently. It is worth mentioning, however, that because of the wide range of hydraulic hoses available for different applications – articulated, coiled, corrugated, reinforced etc. – it is important to bear in mind a number of valuable points in order for your equipment to suffer minimal downtime and be safe for the operators and maintenance engineers. Avoiding fluid injection injury When dealing with hose assembly providers, it is important to be as sure as possible that you are sourcing high-quality hose, fittings and related equipment and services. This is not just a requirement from an efficiency and reliability point of view, but also from health & safety perspective. High-pressure injection injuries as a result of a faulty hydraulic hose are comparatively rare; occurring in an average of 1 in 600 cases of hospital reported hand injuries. However, when they do occur they should be taken very seriously indeed and treated as a medical emergency. And it’s not only the injured individual whose health can be seriously affected; the question of professional responsibility, accountability and reputation of the company can also be raised. In the worst-case scenarios, where a fatality occurs, there could even be a level of managerial culpability that leads to prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter Act. The right specification So, what can be done to substantially mitigate any risk of hose failure, or, at worst, the scenario of a burst hose that results in a fluid injection injury to users or maintenance personnel? One practice to avoid is the mixing of different suppliers’ fittings for use in the same hydraulic hose application. Not all providers supply the same sizes, thread forms or taper angles, even though two different fittings may look more or less the same. Fittings have thread sizes that are often measured using a number of different formats, such as metric, BSP and MPT. Therefore if size and thread form information etc. is not written on the fitting, it is highly advisable that you seek the guidance of someone who is capable of using a thread gauge because the thread form must be known before it is installed. It is also important to tighten a hydraulic fitting to the torsion level specified by the manufacturer or supplier. Qualified fitters know that more torque doesn’t necessarily mean more oil tightness. Moreover, too much torque can end up damaging the fitting’s thread, making it difficult to unscrew and potentially reducing its efficiency and lifespan. Also, some hydraulic fittings tighten against a locking ring, clamping ring, taper or a soft seal, so if the fitting is over-tightened the rings or seals could become distorted – and this in turn can lead to a faster rate or corrosion or wear. Appropriate material Hydraulic hose fittings are made of different materials for use in specific environments. There are two most commonly used types of material. One is carbon steel, cast, forged or fully machined and often with either a zinc- or chrome-type plating. The next most common material used in the manufacture of hydraulic fittings is stainless steel – most commonly 316 in ‘open air’ or non-corrosive environments, and alternatives such as 318 in more corrosive environments such as in marine or medical installations. With this in mind, it is important always to consider the most appropriate material for a particular application. Additionally, it is inadvisable to mix fittings with different material specifications. By using fittings made of different materials on the same hose application corrosion may occur more easily, and this could result in leaks further down the line even though the hose application might seem to work efficiently to being with. Lifespan Bear in mind also that hydraulic hoses are not permanent. A variety of factors can impact the lifespan of a hydraulic hose. Flexing the hose too much, twisting it, kinking, stretching, crushing or scratching the surface can reduce hose life. Too low or too high operating temperatures will break down hoses as will sudden sharp rises or drops in internal pressures. Using the wrong size, type or weight of hoses can also cause hoses to break down. Hoses should be replaced before they fail; especially when used with hydraulic heavy machinery, brakes or safety-critical hydraulic machinery. Hoses show swelling, cracking, blisters and bubbles when worn or may show virtually no signs at all. Replace hoses as often as recommended by the manufacturer to prevent accidents. Raising awareness The British Fluid Power Association (BFPA) has established a number of programmes aimed at raising the awareness levels of people who work with hydraulic hose at all levels; from the system designer and field engineer, to the machine operator and the person who makes the hose: The BFPA’s ‘Foundation Course in Working Safely with Hydraulic Hose and Connectors’ is an accredited and certified course aimed at personnel who are involved in manufacturing and installation of hydraulic hose assemblies and connectors. The one-day course comprises a classroom-training period, followed by a practical session on the manufacture of a range of hose assemblies and pressure testing procedures. The BFPA’s practical, workshop-based course titled ‘The BFPA Hose Assembly Skills Training Programme’ follows in logical succession to the Association’s Foundation Course. The Skills Course takes this basic level of knowledge and trains to a fully assessed level of ability in hose assembly techniques. This two-day course covers the various theoretical and practical elements involved in working with hose and connectors. During the course the candidate is trained to an assessed level of ability in working with hose and connectors. The BFPA recently introduced a new practical, workshop-based course titled ‘The BFPA Hose Integrity, Inspection and Management Training Programme’. Following in logical succession to the Association’s complementary ‘Foundation’ and ‘Skills’ courses’, this course builds upon the knowledge already gained, extending it into management-related areas such as inspection, analysis, identification, registering and recording of hydraulic hose and related equipment. Key themes covered during the one-day course include: hose life expectancy; risk analysis; competence by way of a robust competence assurance system; identify, inspect & record; hose register – recording of a hose assembly prior to it going into service; and visual hose assembly (installation) inspection check list. Reputable providers Do not trust your equipment to anyone other than a reputable hose equipment provider; whether the company in question is a member of the BFPA Hose Accreditation Scheme, a holder of the BFPDA Approved Hose Assembly Mark or runs a rigorous and reputable scheme of its own. And, in terms of hose training, make sure the provider’s courses are well-established and highly respected within the hydraulics industry; whether they run their own courses or are authorised agents for the BFPA’s own Hose Foundation, Hose Skills and Hose Integrity, Inspection and Management Training courses. When it comes to hose and fittings, don’t accept anything but equipment of a high quality. After all, when the efficiency of your plant and equipment, as well as the health & safety of your workforce is at stake, only the best product, training and service provision is acceptable. The subject of hydraulic fluid injection injury is covered in the above-mentioned BFPA training courses. The BFPA has also published a booklet titled ‘Fluid Injection Injury Emergency – The Facts’, priced at £3.30 for BFPA/BFPDA members and £6.60 for non-members. If you would like more information about the BFPA courses, booklet, authorised training bodies, the BFPA’s Hose Accreditation Scheme or BFPDA Approved Hose Assembly Mark, please contact the BFPA on 01608 647900 or email: enquiries@bfpa.co.uk. More information is available on the Association’s website: www.bfpa.co.uk. For course-specific information, please also visit: www.bfpatrainingacademy.co.uk.Technical advice is crucial when choosing a hose reel
By Michael Pawson, managing director, ReCoila,
Stäubli CBX connectors for compact, spill free solution
Stäubli CBX connectors provide automatic locking, compact design and spill free connection of hydraulic circuits in the plastics sector and across general industry. Spill-free connection and disconnection ensures operator safety, eliminating any discharge or workplace contamination, protecting tools and the production environment. The flat faced design guarantees circuit integrity; no pollutants can enter the circuits on connection or disconnection. Connection is automatic, just push and its connected, providing easy, single handed, operation even in difficult to reach and ‘blind’ locations. The compact design makes this coupling most suitable for restricted access applications. Robust construction provides excellent mechanical strength; the long plug guiding in the socket provides the strength to withstand high mechanical stresses in hydraulic circuits up to 450 bar. For applications where dynamic loading could occur then Stӓubli’s SPX range should be considered and for the most demanding hydraulics applications the HPX range provides secure double locking and excellent vibration resistance. Selecting the appropriate hydraulic connector calls for evaluation of many parameters in the planned application. Frequently companies rely on the experience of Stäubli engineers who are trained to fully consider all aspects of the application and are skilled in evaluating the combination of requirements. They will provide advice from the design stage onwards on the most suitable connection solution for any hydraulic application to ensure excellent performance, long term reliability and requiring the minimum of maintenance. www.staubli.com
The online advantage
Hydraulics & Pneumatics spoke with Dave Manning-Ohren, condition monitoring manager at ERIKS UK, about the benefits of online monitoring as part of a company’s maintenance, repair and overhaul regime. Any condition monitoring strategy has to start with looking at the criticality of the plant and the failure modes that are to be expected from particular pieces of equipment. A host of issues related to vibration, temperature, speed, pressure and airflow or hydraulic oil ingress etc. have to be taken into account to avoid equipment failure and resultant production downtime wherever possible. Regular on-site inspections are therefore important. However, due to their time-consuming nature and the fact that equipment failure could potentially occur, say, as soon as the day after an on-site inspection has taken place, ERIKS’ Dave Manning-Ohren believes online monitoring has to be considered as a viable complementary option. While online condition monitoring systems were outside the available maintenance, repair and overhaul budgets of many companies just a few years ago, Manning-Ohren explains that there are now a number of effective online condition monitoring solutions available for less than £1000,” explained Manning-Ohren. “These can be permanently online, depending on what type of plant and equipment the user has on site, and the data acquired can quite easily be relayed to, and stored in, a SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition), PLC (programmable logic controller) or BMS (Building Management System).” Cloud option Although SCADA and PLC systems might be capable of carrying sizeable amounts of condition monitoring and other engineering-related information, quite often the level of data communication required is considerably high. Moreover, on some of the older SCADA and PLC models the throughput might be slower than a modern 3G modem. Consequently, Manning-Ohren believes a Cloud or an externally hosted system connected via 3G or 4G or straightforward broadband is a highly compelling option worth serious consideration. “Taking the hosted route means condition monitoring data can be stored on a system that is outside the user company’s network,” he explained. “It is therefore available on a separately hosted system that individual people such as the maintenance engineer or the equipment manufacturer can buy seats to access remotely. Through all authorised personnel being able to access this single up-to-date source of conditional data at any given time remotely, this ensures they are able to make the best informed maintenance decisions.” Manning-Ohren added that another benefit of the hosted option is that all parties concerned are only able to access data related to condition monitoring. “There is no risk of them inadvertently accessing data on a server that is of a sensitive nature, such as non-disclosure agreements, sensitive data etc.,” he said. As part of a Cloud-hosted regime deployed to monitor the condition of more high-value equipment, RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags can be installed in required locations. These facilitate maintenance routines specific to the location and the technician inspecting the equipment. “Putting in place this type of methodology, a Cloud-based database of maintenance routines can be established,” explained Manning-Ohren. “This could include test values, alarms, check items, process and condition monitoring information, along with RFID plant/equipment/area identification, and inspection routes written based on visit frequency and the skills necessary for the tasks and routines.” Once the RFID tags are embedded, on subsequent visits the engineer can carry a data acquisition device, preloaded with the route and supplementary information (risk assessments, method statements, COSHH information etc.). “The software will then produce a list of tasks at each location, to be performed on the particular piece of equipment or in the specified area,” said Manning-Ohren. “As each one is completed it is entered into the engineer's handheld device and, once the route is complete, the information is uploaded to the database on the Cloud server. This is programmed to respond immediately on receipt of the data, generating inspection, diagnostic and other reports specific and relevant to the tasks undertaken on the plant, and to the recipients. The database also links and integrates other work that has been carried out off-site, such as repair reports, oil analysis and other post-data acquisition condition monitoring reports.” Manning-Ohren added that this system can also be used to send alerts from fixed monitoring equipment direct to ERIKS' specialists, or other nominated contacts on-site, when pre-set limits are reached. “This enables a quicker reaction time, which in turn can help to prevent shutdowns and damage to critical equipment,” he said. “Having all this information available in one place saves time, facilitates an easier flow of information, and can increase uptime.” Interpretation Manning-Ohren added that gathering data through a proven condition monitoring methology, whether on-premise or in the Cloud, is only half the story. “The other half is interpretation of that data by highly-qualified condition monitoring specialists such as those at ERIKS, who are expert at using it to gain insights into the nature of the problem,” he said. “ERIKS not only offers a number of condition monitoring options, but can also provide a high level of support and listen carefully to the customer to determine exactly what is needed. We can then deliver a bespoke solution based on these options; all of which helps to ensure that the customer’s equipment runs more efficiently and is maintained more cost-effectively.” www.eriks.co.uk Photo caption: Dave Manning-Ohren: Online monitoring has to be considered as a viable complementary option to on-site inspection.
Eaton pumps-up lead-time muscle in EMEA
Eaton has made a significant investment its manufacturing capability in EMEA. The company claims this will enable it to meet ‘industry-leading’ delivery times for its X20 pumps range. Eaton’s X20 pumps are used in wheel loaders, agricultural vehicles and road sweepers as well as other mobile and marine applications. The investment of more than €2.4 million will enable the localisation of a regional assembly and test programme for X20 piston pumps at the Eaton Havant UK site, with the aim of providing customers with a ‘best in class’ delivery lead time across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Mark Foreman, plant manager, said: “We are expecting to see an upsurge in demand for open circuit piston pumps in the next few years as the manufacturers of original equipment increase production to meet their orders. Normally, this would mean that lead times would increase for products such as the X20 pump but this investment means we can actually reduce lead times to approximately half that which is industry standard now.” Rick Jacobs, president of Eaton’s hydraulics business for EMEA commented: “[The new investment] will offer a huge advantage to Eaton’s customers in EMEA. By significantly reducing lead times on the X20 pumps we will play a major role in helping manufacturers fulfil their order books and the quality and robustness of our technology, plus our ability to provide a global after-sales support network, gives companies across EMEA a superb choice.” www.eaton.com/hydraulics
Moog extends radial piston pumps range
Moog, designer and manufacturer of high performance motion control solutions, has extended its range of variable-displacement radial piston pumps, with the RKP 250 for displacements up to 250 cm³ per revolution. The largest pump in Moog’s RKP series, the RKP 250 is intended for applications requiring high system pressures, such as metal forming, presses, injection moulding and other types of industrial machinery. It is capable of delivering continuous pressures up to 350 bar (5000 psi). The Radial Piston Pump is known for its robust design and reliability even in extreme environments. For machine applications where even higher displacements are required, the RKP 250 can be configured in a double-pump arrangement with full torque available across all displacements up to 500 cm³. It also can be combined with other RKP pumps and pumps with standard SAE interfaces (A, B, and C). All RKPs have short axial dimensions, making them ideal for compact multi-pump arrangements. Highly dynamic control The RKP 250 provides highly dynamic control of hydraulic flow and pressure. Designed to be used in open-circuit systems, its large suction port and flow-optimized suction path ensure robust suction behaviour, a high speed limit and low noise emission. The pump has a maximum speed of 1800 rpm at an inlet pressure of 0.8 bar absolute (11,6 psi abs), enabling it to operate in machines located at high altitudes without the need for a pre-load pump. The new piston pump incorporates a nine-piston rotary group. The design of the pistons provides a very low pressure ripple and noise emission behaviour. Robust control system As with the smaller models in the RKP range, the RKP 250 is equipped with Moog’s proven, robust control system with a sliding stroke ring. The exclusive use of ferrous metals with hardened, wear-resistant contact surfaces leads to outstanding longevity in use. Special versions are available for use with water-glycol (HFC) and synthetic esters (HFD) fluids. An RKP-D version of the pump, with highly dynamic electro-hydraulic control of flow and pressure through advanced digital on-board electronics, can be configured easily with the Moog Pump Configuration Software. Status information, set values and actual values are displayed graphically for quick and easy performance monitoring, troubleshooting and tuning. As part of Moog’s modular design concept, various compensator options are available including: Pressure (F2), combined pressure and flow (R1), fixed displacement (B1), and dual displacement (N1) compensators. The RKP 250 will also be available in explosion-proof versions. www.moog.comCustomised valve actuation – when standard products are not the answer (June 2014)
The overriding majority of valve actuation applications in today’s industries are fulfilled with standard products. In some cases an actuator may need to be modified to suit specific operating requirements, but here again a solution based on a standard product can usually be found. There are occasions, however, when the physical and operational demands of an application rule out anything other than an entirely customised approach to the problem. The long-standing experience of Rotork-Hiller in the fluid power and motion control industries has been mostly built on the provision of actuators for critical and vital applications calling for the design and manufacture of solutions to suit customers’ individual requirements. Unlike other manufacturers therefore, customised valve actuation is the cornerstone of the company’s activity. Among many examples, an actuator recently built in compliance with customer specifications serves as a practical illustration of this activity. The specification called for a self-contained electro-hydraulic modulating actuator to operate a three-way globe bypass valve within a reactor water chemical clean-up system. This was a non-safety related application, but the specification also dictated a strict weight limitation and a maximum overall dimension envelope. Rotork-Hiller engineers put together a package incorporating all the requirements, including a number of components manufactured uniquely for the application. Meetings with the customer and design reviews enabled modifications to be made during the production process until the compact final package was completed. One of the engineers closely involved with the project takes up the story: “Everything was achieved in a timely fashion during which we designed and built a prototype for proof of concept and life testing in only six weeks, prior to design modifications and final design approval. The design demanded a lot of project specific direction to produce a modular electro-hydraulic actuator with a wide range of linear travel and thrust outputs. The lightweight and compact design delivers a highly accurate and responsive modulating performance and incorporates an intelligent positioner with HART communication protocol. “The complete package was successfully tested to industry standards for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) at an independent laboratory. The project illustrates how Rotork-Hiller is willing to go the distance and provide customer service at a level that is exemplary.” www.rotork.comAmarinth wins its first order from Ineos for flare knock-out pumps
Amarinth – the company specialising in the design, application and manufacture of centrifugal pumps and associated equipment to the Oil & Gas, petrochemical, chemical and industrial markets – has won an order from Ineos to supply two API 610 OH2 pumps with Plan 53B seal support systems for the flare knock-out system at the Ineos onshore refinery at Grangemouth, Scotland. The mercaptan oxidation (Merox) process at the Ineos Grangemouth plant required two API 610 OH2 pumps to remove the condensate that collects in the flare knock-out drums during the refining process. The pumps would only be operated infrequently, sometimes being dormant for weeks, but would then have to start reliably on-demand when the trigger level in the knock-out drums was reached. The Grangemouth refinery is situated next to the sea and so the pumps would be exposed to the often hostile Scottish elements. Ineos also had stringent site specifications that had to be met as well as needing the pumps on a tight 33 week delivery. Amarinth designed the pumps to withstand temperatures of -20C for the coldest of Scottish winters. The pumps were also painted to offshore specifications to survive the harsh coastal saline environment. Due to the low usage of the pumps, special oilers were incorporated so that any water in the bearing oil could be easily identified and removed. To ensure reliable on-demand operation, Amarinth worked with Ineos to develop a specific maintenance schedule for the pumps to minimise the risk of damage caused during the periods of inactivity, particularly around preventing the seal faces sticking. Given the demanding requirements, Ineos also wanted to ensure that Amarinth could provide support on-site for the pumps and so Amarinth sent its trained site engineers to Grangemouth to carry out the installation and commissioning of the pumps. Oliver Brigginshaw, managing director of Amarinth, commented: “We are delighted with this first order from Ineos, which allowed us to apply our extensive offshore experience to this order despite it being an on-shore application. We are noticing more customers requesting on-site commissioning when they place their orders and this provides us with useful feedback from site when we send our trained engineers to carry out this work which we can then incorporate into future designs and enhancements. It is also encouraging to see that the levels of opportunity within the UK offshore and on-shore markets continue to remain buoyant.” www.amarinth.com-
EIMA International 24
06 November, 2024, 9:00 - 10 November, 2024, 18:30
Bologna, Italy -
AEMT Awards
21 November, 2024
Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Coventry -
The BCAS luncheon
21 November, 2024
The Grand Hotel, 1 Church St, Birmingham B3 2FE -
LAMMA Show 2025
15 January, 2025, 8:30 - 16 January, 2025, 16:30
NEC, Birmingham UK
