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Application Friendly Tube Ended Gauges-Parker Pressure Gauges

Parker’s line of Tube Stub Gauges Eliminate Customer’s  Positioning Problems

Parker provides two Tube Ended Pressure Gauges that solve gauge positioning problems in systems with an NPT (National Pipe Thread) connection.  Enhanced, compact design features eliminate timely and costly “work-arounds,” damage due to over-tightening, and leaks from under-made connections.

The Parker Tube Ended Pressure Gauges, part of the PG2 Series, are available in lower mount and center back mount configurations and are 360-degree positional.  Designed to monitor vacuum, compound, and positive system pressures up to 1000 psig, they are ideal for use in industrial and process applications.

Pressure gauges are typically installed to a piping or tubing system with an NPT connection. However, pipe is considered one of the least preferred and lowest integrity connections utilized due to problems associated with creating a tight connection between the pressure gauge and piping or tubing system. Tape and sealants are often used to create a tighter connection, but the assembly may never completely tighten in the position desired, resulting in leaks. Or, the assembly may be forced into an over-tightened state, with the potential for permanent damage. Additionally, many standard gauges are not made to fit in tight installations where a 360-degree positional product is required and where space is at a premium. “Work-arounds” to resolve this problem can result in the need for additional adaptors, creating more potential leak paths.

The PG2 Series gauges provide the solution to all the problems associated with NPT connections. The compact design of the PG2 Series gauges, with fewer connections than standard tube ended pressure gauges, speeds installation when mating to a piping or tubing system with an NPT connection, eliminating “work-arounds,” as well as over- or under-tightened connections. The design eliminates the need for additional fittings, tape and sealants, making installation cleaner and quicker.

Also, in applications where the gauge is in close proximity to a back panel or in a tight space, the built-in 360-degree gauge positioning of the PG2 Series gauges helps reduce installation costs by eliminating the need for an additional adaptor fitting. A lower profile with fewer potential leak paths is achieved.

For more information regarding the Parker ‘s Tube Ended Pressure Gauges, contact the Parker Instrumentation Division.

Innovative Process Analyzer Venting System – Parker Vent Master

Parker Instrumentation provides a solution for venting samples from process analyzers into a plant's flare disposal or return system. Designated Vent Master, the product creates a constant pressure environment in the vent header to keep chemical/petrochemical process analyzers operating at their maximum accuracy. The system eliminates the need to vent to atmosphere, and resolves analyzer accuracy issues associated with alternative disposal techniques.

Vent Master is highly compact, fitting easily into the smallest of field shelters, and is a completely mechanical solution with minimal moving parts - requiring no regular maintenance. Offering a high flow rate capacity suitable for handling multiple analyzer streams, the product complements Parker Instrumentation's Vent Recovery Panel for single continuous analyzers, which is now in operation worldwide.

Process analyzers require very stable flow and pressure conditions to operate accurately. As a result, process sampling systems are often vented straight to atmosphere – because it provides a stable reference point. But, with increasing clean air regulation, companies are being forced to reduce or eliminate emissions. In order to comply, the most straightforward solution is to vent analyzer samples into a plant’s flare path. Unfortunately, the pressure in flare headers can be extremely variable – adversely impacting measurement accuracy.

Available in sizes capable of handling maximum flow rates up to 18 SLPM – enough to handle the largest of field analyzer installations – Vent Master isolates the vent header from the flare path, creating a stable pressure that is regulated to +/- 0.15 inches of water column (~0.0004 bar). Accuracy is maintained for flare header back-pressures up to 20 PSIG. This wide operating range makes the device an off-the-shelf solution for virtually any plant, one that is more than capable of handling the typical pressure variations associated with process disposals to a plant's flare system.

Vent Master is an all-mechanical pressure control system using regulators, gauges, a rotometer and other controls integrated and assembled in a small panel-mounting enclosure measuring approximately 30x38 cm / 12x15 inches. A separate sensitive pressure regulator is mounted directly to the vent header, and connected to Vent Master. For the most common application, flare disposal systems, Vent Master is fitted with an integral eductor and dynamically controls a nitrogen supply to maintain the vent header pressure with a constant outlet flow rate of up to 18 SLPM at 1 inch water column (~0.0025 bar). In applications with an existing sample return pump or plant vacuum source, Vent Master provides similar performance without the eductor.

High Performance Check Valves – Parker CB Series

Parker Instrumentation provides a unique series of check valves, specially optimized for the high temperatures and aggressive media found in turbine installations. Now field proven in service at USA dual-fuel power generation installations, the superior performance of the valves can eliminate costly turbine shut downs that can be required for repairs, maintenance, and fuel changeovers.

The CB Series of check valves provides a simple means of adding protection in any system where back flow or pressure might cause a problem or damage. A typical power generation application is a unidirectional protection element in the fuel oil, purge air or water lines to the combustion chambers of dual-fuel turbines. Currently, such valves are often replaced or refurbished every few months to combat leakage as a result of coking, and/or the perishing of seals because of the aggressive media and the high temperatures (above 250 degrees F/121 degrees C). This can be an extremely costly issue to deal with, especially for those installations that regularly switch between gas and oil – which tends to accelerate problems.

 

Superior performance and reliability is assured by special features including a floating ball with a micro-finished surface for accurate resealing, a Teflon® coated ball cage, and seats fabricated from optimized materials that provide a soft sealing surface for excellent bubble-tight shut off combined with compatibility with fuel oils and amines. These attributes guard against common problems associated with check valves in these environments, including formation of coke deposits, stuck poppets, chattering valves, and micro leakage that can accelerate deposit formation and catastrophic failure.

Close Coupled Mounted Manifolds – Parker CCIMS Valves

Parker provides a significant advance in instrument mounting technology. Called CCIMS, the radical new integrated mounting and manifold block connects instruments directly to process piping in a tiny fraction of the time previously taken, and dramatically reduces the number of joints – and therefore potential leak paths.

CCIMS (Close Coupled Instrument Mounting Solution) supports the direct connection of differential pressure transmitters – one of the most common types of process instruments – to process pipe work.  Parker believes that CCIMS is the first mounting solution to provide a practical solution for 'close coupling' these instruments, which are used in quantities of hundreds of thousands a year, for flow measurement in a wide range of industries including oil and gas, petrochemical and chemical, and power generation.

 

CCIMS allows pressure transmitters to be mounted directly onto an orifice plate assembly in less than 30 minutes, typically replacing hand-crafted assemblies of discrete tubing, joint and valve components that can take anywhere from one to three man-days to fabricate. The labour saving from this aspect of CCIMS alone could save the industry hundreds of millions of Euros a year. Once installed, CCIMS also allows instruments to be clipped onto and off the pipe in seconds – easing maintenance.

 

The requirement for maintenance decreases substantially because CCIMS technology eliminates the need for 'impulse lines' – the tubing flow paths that normally run between pipe and instrument – helping to avoid the common problem of blockages caused by many factors including viscous media, hydrate formation, freezing, and so on. CCIMS also incorporates a unique interface that allows the instrument to be clipped onto and off the manifold in seconds, instead of undoing threaded connections, tubing joints, or even welds – which greatly speeds calibration and repairs.

 

CCIMS further cuts costs because it replaces application-specific assemblies of discrete tubing, joints, valves and manifold components with a single universal module that can be held in stock.

Taken together, these features make a substantial contribution to helping end users achieve the radical new levels of reliability and low maintenance that is required for the control and instrumentation systems in today's highly automated or unmanned plants. In the oil and gas industry in particular, this issue is often exacerbated by the remote location of equipment, which might be sited on offshore platforms or at wellheads and pipeline pumping stations.

Further significant gains are derived from the 'close coupled' nature of the connection delivered by CCIMS. A traditional connection, or 'hook up', for a differential pressure transmitter can involve 20-30 joints, every one of which is a potential leak path. The integrated nature of the new CCIMS solution reduces this to just five – a massive leap in integrity that helps to avoid both the human and environmental safety issues caused by leakages or emissions.

 

The intimate nature of the piping connection provided by CCIMS also aids the performance of the instrument system. The length of a typical impulse line arrangement (and the bends which often feature in such arrangements) introduces pressure drops and turbulence that can substantially decrease measurement accuracy, commonly referred to as 'gauge-line error'. CCIMS positions a transmitter directly adjacent to the process pipe, and provides a short, straight and even flow connection – allowing end users to benefit fully from the instrument's accuracy to monitor their process.

 

Parker's breakthrough CCIMS mounting solution has two interlocking elements. A pipe interface module connects to the instrument interfaces on the two flanges, and incorporates two primary isolation valves; this module features an innovative 'universal tubing joint' to compensate for all alignment problems associated with the flanges. An instrument mounting module – available with a range of manifolds to suit the application – then clips on top of this, again by means of a novel new mechanical interface developed by Parker.

 

The cost savings in installation and maintenance areas, and the dramatic reduction in potential leak paths that CCIMS brings are expected to be the main attraction for plant operators – and Parker believes that these will help to stimulate users to adopt the new technology. Instrument 'hook ups' can vary widely, depending on the practices and preferences of the plant's instrumentation engineers, the piping fitters, and the physical space available, but they typically necessitate an assembly time of one to three man-days for differential pressure transmitters. Mounting an instrument using CCIMS in half an hour (Parker Instrumentation can do it in 15 minutes, typically), represents a likely labor saving of around 12 hours – which equates to approaching 1,000 Euros/dollars per instrument. With around half a million differential pressure transmitters a year being sold for orifice plate flow measurement applications, the potential savings are enormous.

 

Permanent Tube Connections WITHOUT Welding-PHASTITE Tube Fittings

Parker provides a unique design of tube fitting that can deliver huge cost savings to builders of industrial equipment involving fluids.

Assembled by means of a simple push-fit operation, the new fittings provide permanent connections for fluid systems operating at up to 20,000 PSI / 1,379 bar. For permanent connections, and these elevated pressures, system builders would typically use either welded or 'cone and thread' style fittings, which are time consuming and expensive to install. Compared with these products, Parker Instrumentation estimates that its new Phastite fittings could reduce costs by a factor of 90% or more.

Phastite employs a compression assembly principle using a novel form of toothed profile, which makes the seal. The fittings are supplied as one-piece components. To make a joint, all that's required is to insert the tube, and then push the collar along the fitting body until it reaches a dead stop. This operation is performed by a simple handheld hydraulic tool, and takes a few seconds. The tool requires no skill to use, and assures users of right-first-time connections.

This assembly approach contrasts with the requirement to perform a 360-degree weld around the circumference of a tube, an operation requiring skill, consumables, expensive equipment, and up to 10 minutes of time. Or, the coning and threading of a tube end to prepare it for use in a special screw-together fitting, operations that again require skill, and time - in this case up to 30 minutes or more. For many applications, the quality of the weld is also tested by means of dye penetration, or x-ray inspection, adding further substantial costs to the installation process.

Inside Phastite fittings is a unique sealing system, based on a collar which slides along an angled body, in the process compressing a number of circular profiles into the tubing. At the end of the short travel is a vertical face which provides confirmation of correct assembly.

Phastite is much faster to assemble than welded and cone and thread fittings, but also de-skills the process, removing a major element of industrial system building cost. The very high degree of control over make up that the tooling automatically imposes also assures users of right-first-time assembly. This is not the case with welded and cone and thread fittings, where many users expect that there will a certain degree of rework. When used to replace a welded fitting, the Phastite fitting also eliminates any need for a 'hot work permit', another major equipment building expense faced by many organizations.

The assembly tool is an important part of the package, and Parker Instrumentation has developed a novel hydraulic tool that is similar in size to a soft drink can, and features a flat working edge that can install tubing in confined spaces such as against a panel. The small pump that drives the tool is available in a shoulder-carried version, providing great flexibility of movement for operators. The cost of the tool is equivalent or less than the equipment required for welding, or coning and threading.

N Stamp Valve Program

Parker Instrumentation Products Division Supports Growth of Global Nuclear Power Market with “N” Stamp Accreditation from ASME

Parker Hannifin Corporation’s Instrumentation Products Division (IPD), a leading supplier of instrument fittings and valves to the nuclear power market, has received nuclear accreditation from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Nuclear accreditation from ASME means that the authorized vendor can produce commercial nuclear-grade components in accordance with ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Nuclear Codes and Standards (the Code). The Certificates of Accreditation and Authorization are applicable to Parker IPD manufacturing facilities in Huntsville, AL, and Jacksonville, AL.

The authorizations granted to Parker IPD include an “N” Certificate. Components marked with “N” (nuclear grade) stamps indicate that the design and manufacture of the components meet the requirements of the established ASME nuclear Code. The “N” Certificate allows Parker IPD to place the “N” stamp on valves up to 4” that it has designed and manufactured in compliance with the Code. ASME performed an assessment of Parker’s quality assurance program in the spring of 2007 before awarding the “N” Certificate to the two manufacturing facilities.

“As one of the premier suppliers to the nuclear power producers, we felt it was of paramount importance to achieve this accreditation,” said William Bowman, Parker IPD General Manager. “The global commercial nuclear industry continues to gain impetus, and we want to support the growing needs of this vital area.”

“Our staff has spent decades developing and applying our industry experience to design and build safe instrument valves. The certification was the next step in propelling us forward in the global commercial nuclear industry,” said Johnny Smith, Parker IPD Quality Assurance Manager. “The accreditation demonstrates that our company is capable of complying with the ASME requirements throughout the design and manufacture of these products.”

For more information regarding Parker’s “N” Certificate and the “N” stamp, contact Parker IPD at 256-881-2040. Parker is the global leader in motion and control technologies, partnering with its customers to increase their productivity and profitability.

Instrumentation Thermowells

Parker provides a complete line of Thermowells to complement the Instrumentation Fitting and Valve line(s).

"Texas Thermowell products will give Parker a solid foundation in critical temperature sensing applications within chemical processing and petroleum refining markets," said John Greco, President of Parker's Instrumentation Group. "Temperature sensing is among the most commonly required control applications in processing plants which may have dozens of temperature monitoring points using these devices to protect sensors. Customers in the industrial and analytical markets already served by Parker will benefit from this expansion of our technological capability."

Since 1982, the Texas Thermowell business has specialized in the development and manufacture of precision instruments that protect temperature sensing equipment. The Texas Thermowell headquarters and manufacturing facility is located in Beaumont, TX.

 

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