Large Bore Swivel Joints, Standard and Specialist Materials up to 72?
Large bore Swivel joints feature either 1 or 2 ball tracks of ball bearings, enabling 360° rotation without any problems, despite simultaneous external loading through force and torque.
EWFM (EW Fuel Management Ltd) is a multi-disciplinary distributor based in Royston near Cambridge, England, supplying equipment for the safe transfer of liquids, gases and particulates.
EWFM Specialise in Swivel Joints, Loading and Unloading Arms, Couplings, Breakaway Couplings, Filling and Emptying Equipment, Hose, Agitators and Mixers, Access Systems, Storage Tank Equipment and Aircraft and Helicopter Equipment for the Oil & Gas, Food and Drink, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Power Generation and the Defensive and Aviation Industries.
At the onset, aircraft refuelling and fuel tanker equipment have been and continue to be a specialty of EWFM in both the defence and civil markets. From supplying to the aviation and oil and gas industries, the company has now diversified into other hazardous markets such as pharmaceutical, chemical, food and drink and power generation.
EWFM’s product expertise ensures that customers are recommended the most suitable equipment for their application. Having supplied many thousands of our products, our reputation as a reliable company is known both worldwide and in the UK.
Procedures in place ensure that all projects are carried out with utmost professionalism, offering clients support at all stages.
Accredited to ISO 9001-2008, we have never received either a major or minor non-conformance after 25 third party audits.
If you are looking for a Swivel to take severe loads or in a size greater than 48? please see our Engineered Swivel Joint.
Materials
The standard large bore swivel joints are normally produced in carbon steel (St52-3, 42CrMo4), stainless steel (1.4571), and also aluminium. Further stainless steels (1.4301, 1.4404) and materials such as Duplex, Super Duplex and Hastelloy are also available on request.
Seals
For the process seals, Axial PTFE groove seal rings are used. In special applications (e.g. FDA in the field of food and hygiene) particular compounds are used. All seals are extremely easy to replace, and available from stock as a seal kit.
Size
Large bore Swivel joints are produced to a nominal width of DN1200 (48?). Many types are available directly from stock, and welded models are available at short notice.
Assemblies
Swivels supplied as individual swivels or fabricated with elbows and end fittings in styles 20, 30, 40, 50 60, 70, 80 & 10.
Applications
Large scale articulated pipework
What are Swivel Joints?
Most swivels are composed of two main parts (split flange swivels are slightly different). These parts are known as the sleeve and the body. The sleeve and the body each have a means of connecting with the fluid transfer system – such as threads or a bolted flange. The sleeve and body are locked in place by one or more ball bearing races.
The ball bearing races keep the swivel sleeve and body aligned and allow the swivel to rotate around its axis. Because the two parts of the swivel can rotate, system components connected to the two ends of the swivel can also rotate freely and independently around the swivel’s axis. Multiple swivels installed with different orientations allow multiple axes of rotation and more freedom of movement between two sides of a fluid conveyance system. Bearing races can be filled with different types of lubricants, including grease which is formulated for food applications. Bearing races can also be prepared for submerged service in a variety of fluid media.
Though the swivel’s ball bearings do most of the mechanical work, the most important part of the swivel joint is arguably the liquid-tight pressure seal that retains the pressurized working fluid. Pressure seals can be made from thermoplastics such as PTFE, and from elastomers such as FKM and nitrile rubber. The properties of these seal material options make them suitable for service with various fluids over a range of operating temperatures.
Are There Different Types of Swivels?
- O-Ring Swivel Joints use an O-ring for the pressure seal. These are generally more compact and rotate more freely than a V-ring swivel joint.
- V-Ring Swivel Joints use a triple V-ring packing for the pressure seal. These are robust swivel joints generally used in more severe applications. V-ring swivel joints typically handle higher moment loads than O-ring swivel joints and the seals are self-adjusting which typically allows for longer seal life.
- Split Flange Swivel Joints use a separate bearing pack design along with an H-ring with two O-rings for the pressure seal. Split flange swivels are equivalent to O-ring swivel joints in terms of required torque to turn, but have a load capacity comparable to V-ring swivel joints. Additionally, split flange swivel joints are more serviceable due to their easily accessible pressure seal and bearing packs.
Where Are Swivels Used?
Dixon swivel joints can be found in product blending plants, liquid, and dry bulk transfer terminals, and in transport trucks designed to carry petroleum and other liquids from bulk terminals to distant delivery sites. Additional industries range from petroleum and petrochemical plants to refining, mining, distilling, paint manufacturing, irrigation, fertilizing, and food and beverage processing. Larger diameter swivel joints can be found in steel mills, water treatment plants, and marine terminals where they are used for loading and discharging cargo, and for loading propulsion fuel onto vessels – a process known as bunkering.
If an industrial operation involves pumping a fluid from a moving component to a stationary component, chances are good that a swivel joint has been installed to extend the life of the system and reduce costly maintenance and downtime.
Source : www.ewfm.co.uk
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