Industrial & Manufacturing Blog
High-pressure industrial applications are placing more stress on layflat hoses. Whether jetting water in oil fracking or hydraulic mining through a hose, flow friction reduces pressure and leads to lower productivity.
Loose-fitting layflat hose couplers and bends are a major cause of friction. The friction leads to a loss in pressure and flow velocity. The move towards layflat hose specifications and safety standards is allowing more field operations to get the fit right.
Hose Harmonization
The American Petroleum Institute's 15WT safety and environmental standards for layflat hoses in upstream oil and gas operations is an important move towards improving layflat hose coupling and hose matching. By setting standards for equipment integrity, the directive is moving the industry towards technical standardization. Manufacturing product specifications are forthcoming, says the API.
Furthermore, as energy and mining operations pump higher volumes of water through hoses, the standards are improving hose function and wear. The requirement, for example, for continuous monitoring by installing pressure gauges and alarm systems is reducing excessive stress and wear on layflat hoses.
Improving Hose Flow Rate
A good layflat coupler fit starts with the hose specifications. If the diameter is too small or large for the flow velocity and pressure, too much friction will place excessive pressure on layflat hose couplings and the head of the hose. Common specifications for hose applications will reduce some of these mismatch issues.
Incorrect hose sizing can be caused by failing to measure the diameter when the hose is open and failing to properly account for the wall thickness and work pressure. In addition to a smooth interior, friction is impacted by how adeptly the hose contours the ground and avoids bends.
The Perfect Layflat Coupling Fit
The truth is, the perfect fit has been elusive. But that's changing with new materials and technology. New materials such as reinforced polyester yarns are more flexible, durable, and may not require multiple layers.
When a coupling is too tight, both the durable PVC outside and polyester yarn reinforcement can fray and erode. In non-unified material structures, delamination is an issue. This material erosion makes future coupling fittings more difficult.
While waiting for more specific layout hose product specifications, operators are giving more consideration to the internal and external environmental factors placing wear and creating friction on hoses. They should at the same time consider more efficient assemblies to withstand the required pressure by ensuring a good match with couplers and clamps.
For more information, reach out to a layflat hose coupler supplier.
Share5 June 2020
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