PRODUCTION • PROCESSING • HANDLING
In a repair situation, this typically means boring out the cylinder to a larger size and installing a cast iron liner. To complete this work, the repair shop utilises an industrial hone to get to size and then completes the fi nishing work with the Flex-Hone, from Los Angeles- based Brush Research Manufacturing. Characterised by the small, abrasive globules that are permanently mounted to fl exible fi laments, the Flex-Hone is a highly specialised abrasive tool available in many sizes as well as abrasive types and grits. Whether for smoothing out rough
areas and high points, deburring, edge blending, cross-hatching or removing cut, torn or folded metal, a fl exible cylinder hone can be an indispensable tool. Furthermore, the tool is ideal for fi eld applications because it can be operated using a standard drill and is self-aligning and self-compensating for wear, which facilitates close-tolerance fi nishing work According to Salinas, the Flex-Hone
tool was recommended by Sheinberg Tool Co, a local distributor of hand tools, power tools and accessories. Due to its location and proximity to the Port of Corpus Christi, many of Sheinberg Tool’s customers are in the oil and petrochemical industry. H & S Valve uses Flex-Hones in
various sizes to accommodate the range of cylinder diameters and achieve the required RMS fi nish. In addition, the tool produces a cross-hatched surface, which is integral to ensuring that proper
The Flex-Hone tool is ideal for fi eld applications because it can be operated using a standard drill and is self-aligning and self-compensating for wear, which facilitates close-tolerance fi nishing work
oil retention will be maintained in the cylinder bore walls at all times. Salinas says that achieving the proper
surface fi nish, ensuring the cylinder is true, and that the piston rings are seated properly can keep a compressor in service for a very long time. “Our customers expect these compressors to remain in production for a long time after the repair,” he states. “T ey don’t want to be putting in new piston rings every few months.”
ENSURING ACCURATE FLOW MEASUREMENTS Flexible hones also play a critical role in ensuring that fl ow metering equipment produces consistent, accurate gas fl ow rates and volumes for custody transfer. For many fl ow meters, even small fl ow disturbances inside the diameter of the fi tting bore or the straight run piping can cause a measurement error. T is includes the viscous drag along the pipe wall due to ‘roughness’ of the ID of the piping. Since even small variances in measurement accuracy can have a major impact on profi tability, metering system manufacturers and integrators use fl exible hones to achieve the AGA-recommend microfi nish, prior to delivery to the customer. According to meter technician Frank
The Flex-Hone is a specialised abrasive tool available in a variety of sizes
Curry, the piping used typically arrives with a microfi nish rated at 80-90 µ in so it requires honing to meet the maximum
recommended surface roughness specifi cations. T is can range from 100- 250 µ in, depending on the size of the pipe. “We hone it using a cylinder hone to make sure there are no imperfections before it is inspected by the customer,” says Curry. “T e pipe has to be nice and smooth because if it has any obstructions or corrosion, it won’t produce the most accurate measurements.” To achieve the required fi nish, Curry conducts a two-step process beginning with a coarse grit Flex-Hone, then a fi ner grit tool. T e Flex-Hone tool is also used when maintenance is required in the fi eld. If a metering device is not producing accurate measurements, the technician will re- check the surface fi nish in the fi eld and, if needed, use the hones to recondition the pipe or remove any corrosion. For metering technicians, the ease-of- use of the tool is another benefi t, given that to conduct fi eld repairs the pipeline system must be shutdown completely until the work is completed. “Usually we have a window of so many hours to get the work done and they want us out of there as soon as possible so they can test the system and bring it back on line,” explains Curry. ●
For more information visit
www.brushresearch.com
www.engineerlive.com 39
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