Chemical Engineering February 2023 - 28

Swagelok
FIGURE 3. Bending tubing is often the best practice for making simple 90-deg directional changes
Swagelok
FIGURE 4. Tubing must be installed correctly before the system is put into operation. That includes
doing proper gap inspections at every connection point
If the utility valve swings open, the fix
can be as simple as opening the valve
body, removing the old packing, and replacing
it with new packing (Figure 5).
This simple and effective repair saves
significant time and money over removing
and reinstalling or replacing the
entire valve.
By keeping extensive records of the
preventive maintenance performed
on the system, it is possible to identify
whether specific components are
failing prematurely. If such a situation
arises, operators can analyze the component
and determine what should be
changed, including replacing the existing
component with one better suited
to the application. Such analysis will
allow the fluid systems at the facility to
last longer and cost less over time. If the
capabilities to perform such evaluations
do not exist within the facility, it may be
prudent to engage with a supplier that
can provide those inspection services
for you.
28
Store parts properly
It is important to keep a replacement inventory
of specific system-critical components.
However, you must be careful
how you store these components. In the
case of hoses, improper storage can
lead to damage. You should never stack
hoses. Instead, hoses should be hung to
ensure they are not bending more than
the manufacturer's published minimum
bend radius. In addition, protect hoses
from ultraviolet (UV) light, since some
hose materials degrade from UV exposure.
Finally, cap both ends of the stored
hose to prevent contamination.
In the case of other fluid-system components,
avoid mixing spare parts from
different manufacturers in the same box
or bin. Spare parts, such as ferrules, Orings
and valve packings, need to be
separated and stored by manufacturer.
It is also important that each spare part
is clearly marked for its corresponding
component. These parts are not interchangeable
- even if they appear the
same to the naked eye. Intermixing or
interchanging parts from different manufacturers
may lead to leaks, corrosion, or
product failure. The new S-716 specification
requirements for smallbore tubing
and fittings from the International Association
of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP;
London; www.iogp.org) also prohibit
the intermixing of fittings from different
manufacturers and instead mandate
the use of a single tube-fitting brand for
each project.
Combining components from different
manufacturers often leads to poor
performance, even when manufacturers
create components out of the same
or similar materials, small differences in
composition can occur (Figure 6). This
is why using components from different
manufacturers can lead to unpredictable
performance,
including
potential
leaks
and other safety-related problems
during operation.
Learn as you replace
Though replacing fluid system components
is part of running a successful
plant, plant owners can save money over
the long term by extending component
life. That can be accomplished through
proper system design, component selection,
installation, maintenance and
storage. When operators must replace
worn-out or damaged components before
their anticipated lifespan is over, it
is critical to understand why the component
failed. Evaluating the cause of
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Chemical Engineering February 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Chemical Engineering February 2023