42


EQUIPMENT


inherent in poppet-style coupling designs. The Epsilon®


POPPET OUT


COUPLINGS • THERE IS NO REASON TO STICK WITH POPPET-STYLE COUPLINGS THAT RISK MINOR PRODUCT RELEASES, SAYS OPW’S DAVE MORROW


MANUFACTURERS, PROCESSORS, SHIPPERS and distributors of highly hazardous, high- value chemicals enter into a tacit agreement with their employees, the environment and shareholders. The incredibly volatile and valuable fluids they deal with must be handled with the utmost care, from the manufacturing plant through the rail tank cars and tanker trucks that ship them and the bulk storage facilities that house them, lest any damage be done to any of the parties involved. A key link in the chemical processing


supply chain is the equipment that is used to facilitate the transfer of volatile chemicals from the manufacturing facility to transport vehicles and then to the storage terminal.





EPSILON’S UNIQUE DESIGN PROVIDES AN INGENIOUS WAY OF PREVENTING EVEN THE SMALLEST PRODUCT LOSSES


For years, the accepted technology for the dry disconnect couplings that would enable the connection of hoses to storage tanks and transport vehicles has featured a poppet-style design. The use of poppets, however, can


compromise safety and create potential problems for the handler looking to ensure the safety of employees and the environment. This is because the shape of the poppets inside the coupler housing form areas where chemicals can nest, meaning that there will always be the possibility that some type of product spill can occur when the couplings are disconnected.


STRAIGHT THROUGH THE VALVE Fortunately for handlers of dangerous chemicals, there is an alternative dry- disconnect coupling technology that addresses all of the operational shortcomings


dry-disconnect coupling from


OPW Engineered Systems uses a ball valve design instead of poppets to facilitate opening and closing of the coupling. With poppet-style disconnects, liquid


transfer is initiated when the poppets are opened by the operator and is completed when the operator closes the poppets. However, at this point a small amount of liquid can be trapped and, during disconnection, it is possible that the trapped liquid can escape, leading to a minor product spill. When hazardous, high-value chemicals are being handled, this potential product spill can be harmful to site personnel and the environment. The unique ball valve operation of the


Epsilon disconnect allows a convex ball to seat with a concave ball when the valve is opened. This straight-through design allows the liquid to transfer through the adaptor and coupling with no reduction in flow rate. Upon disconnection there are no cavities created in which product can nest, meaning no product will be spilled. This no-spill operation is accomplished


through the use of five independent and redundant mechanical interlocks that require deliberate sequential action by the user, thereby eliminating unintentional spills and catastrophic chemical releases. In addition, the Epsilon was also engineered


for easier maintenance when compared to a poppet-style design. The Epsilon allows for quick replacement of the transfer seal without any lockout. This helps minimise downtime when replacing the seals, stems and bearings. Further advantages include easy


replacement of seals, stems and bearings, and an optional keyed interface to isolate transfer lines and prevent product cross- contamination. Wetted components are available in 316-grade stainless steel or Hastelloy C and spring-loaded and spring- energised seals are available in PTFE, TFM or PFA. HCB


David Morrow is director of product management for OPW Engineered Systems. More information can be found at www.opw-es.com.


HCB MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2016


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