Equipment/Software/Literature

May 28, 2007

Pneumatic actuator has aluminum body

This new Apollo-brand pneumatic actuator has an extruded aluminum body and twin rack and pinion design that delivers constant torque output of over 500,000 cycles or more.

The new actuators are matched to the operation of the firm’s ball valves and butterfly valves. They also feature inboard and outboard travel stops for easy stroke adjustment to virtually any host valve’s open or closed positions.

Actuators are designed for petrochemical operations.

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Units are built for long, dependable service, the company says. The body is hard-coat anodized to resist wear and corrosion. Bore finishing helps minimize friction and wear.

Nickel-plated steel pinions resist internal and external corrosion.

Other long-life features include stainless steel assembling screws and die cast aluminum end caps and pistons. Actuators are prelubricated at the plant for the life of the assembled unit.

Source: Conbraco Industries Inc., Box 247, Matthews, NC 28106.

New system purges pipe, vessels quickly

Large pipe and vessels can be purged of air quickly and easily with the Argweld quick purge system.

The system typically purges a 914 mm diameter pipe to below 0.1% oxygen in less than 10 min, with faster purging for smaller pipe sizes, the company says.

Savings in time and purge gas consumption are achieved by reducing the volume purged, the company points out. Two inflatable dams are positioned inside the pipe, restricting the length of the purged section to about 75 mm on each side of the weld. At the same time, a sleeve joining the dams occupies most of the pipe’s diameter, so that only the space between the outer surface of the sleeve and the inner surface of the pipe needs to be purged.

When the Argweld has been positioned inside the pipe, by using pull tags, it is inflated by the inert gas supply so that each end dam forms a seal. Once the dams are fully inflated, the pressure opens a valve to allow the inert gas to enter the space between the sleeve and the pipe to displace the air.

Welding can begin as soon as the oxygen level is low enough.

Source: Huntingdon Fusion Techniques Ltd., Stukeley Meadow, Bwscwm Rd., Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, Wales SA16 0BU.