Chemical Engineering February 2023 - 27

prematurely fail. For example, if technicians
are not trained on how to bend
tubing properly, the system may experience
side-load stresses that cause
cracks and leaks. To maximize the benefits
tube bending offers, it is important
to understand how to identify where
tube bends are most beneficial.
Directional changes using tubing
can be accomplished by bends or by
connecting separate lengths of tubing
with high-quality tube fittings. Bends
are applicable
for many directional
changes, but the choice between a
bend or a fitting largely depends on the
situation. Simple 90-deg directional
changes (Figure 3) can often be most
effectively accomplished with bends.
Bending could also be beneficial in
confined areas where several lengths
of tube must stack in close proximity
to each other.
Tubing requires adequate support to
withstand the stresses of vibrations,
which can otherwise lead to cracks and
connection leakage. In addition, internal
seals in valves might age unevenly
if improperly installed. It is important to
make sure tubing is installed correctly
before the system is put into operation,
including doing a proper gap inspection
with a properly calibrated gap inspection
tool. This can also be done during regular
inspections and should be performed
by external service engineers (Figure 4).
These inspections could be performed
virtually if required.
The most effective way to ensure that
your fluid system components are properly
installed is to train the installers extensively.
Small details can have significant
effects on how long the system will
perform at its peak. Working with a supplier
that can offer technicians the training
they need will help mitigate installation
issues and significantly enhance
safety through proper installation.
Perform preventative maintenance
Though many fluid-system components
will operate well without significant
maintenance, that is not the case for all
of them. In fact, regulators, valves and
hoses should be inspected regularly
and adjusted as necessary to ensure
they reach their full lifecycle potential.
The cost of performing regular maintenance
is often less than that of replacing
a component once it fails.
For example, it is important to regularly
replace the packing in utility valves
to reduce internal leaks across the seat.
THREE ESSENTIAL
CONSIDERATIONS WHEN BENDING
A TUBE
T
hough tube bending offers many benefits,
it only makes sense if the bends are
made in the proper places. Furthermore, bends
are only effective if they are done in a highquality
manner. Here are some things to consider
when determining whether tube bending
makes sense.
Determine whether tubing will be advantageous
over pipe. Tubing provides benefits over
traditional pipe in situations in which labor and
time are at premiums. In a particularly complex
system application, pipes add additional
fitting connections that may become potential
leak points, even when assembled by a skilled
technician. When tubing is substituted for pipe,
directional changes can be accomplished with
a bend rather than a fitting. In addition, tubing
bends create far less turbulence in the system
media than a pipe elbow. Finally, tubing is less
heavy than pipe, which means it will not need as
many supplementary supports.
Decide how you will perform your directional
changes. In most tubing applications, directional
changes will either be the result of bends
or by connecting different tubing with highquality
fittings. Though bending may not work
in every situation, tube bending is often the
most cost-effective option to achieve leak-free
directional changes. Specifically, 90-deg directional
changes are candidates for using a tubing
bend instead of a pipe connection. In systems
in which tight spaces restrict how any lengths
of tube and fittings can stack near each other,
bending may make the most sense.
Make sure you have the right skills to perform
tube bending. Tube bending is as much
an art as it is a skill,
requiring technicians to
think in three dimensions to turn designs on
paper into physical systems. Operators must
also know how to use a tube bender and other
equipment to complete accurate, quality bends.
The two most common pieces of equipment for
bending tubing are a hand tube bender (photo)
and a benchtop tube bender.
Swagelok
A manual tube bender helps installers accurately
and efficiently make bends in tubing at any angle
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Chemical Engineering February 2023

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