TPi July 2017

products & developments

‘Armoured’ heat exchangers Traditional SiC heat exchangers offer the advantage of the high heat exchange coefficient typical of silicon carbide. While the stainless steel armour guarantees rigidity of the separation plates, the PTFE lining ensures chemical inertia. Splitting the tasks of providing structural rigidity and resistance to chemical aggression enhances reliability

79P, for the highest degree of elasticity, softness and thermal resistance. IT Tech Swiss SA – Switzerland

info@ptfe.ch www.ptfe.ch

The weak point of the system is the sealing between the separation plates and the tubes. At 100°C, PTFE loses tensive stress, hindering the proper sealing between plates and tubes. Leaks from traditional heat exchangers are due to fluid leakage near the plates. The IT Tech Swiss research and development department has worked during the last three years to optimise a new technology for the manufacturing of heat exchangers: the Guardian™ armoured PTFE exchanger. The special ‘armoured’ plates are made from stainless steel with an outer PTFE lining of suitable thickness.

and life cycle duration. Guardian heat exchang- ers are provided with a sealing system realised through Guaflon™ (modified filler PTFE) threaded bushings, which couple to the threading of the PTFE plate, blocking the tubes. The seal is provided by elastomeric O-rings that allow the tubes to expand without compromising the seal tightness. The O-rings are made of Kaflon™

The plates are made from stainless steel with an outer PTFE lining

High flow volume/filter booster Bifold supplies a wide range of switching instrument valves and pumps to the oil and gas upstream and downstream sector. By removing all elements from the main flow line, including regulators and filters, the effective CV of the filter booster is multiplied, resulting in significantly reduced tubing sizes.

maximum inlet pressure of 20 bar g, and operates at a working temperature of -55°C to +180°C. The common design format offers a choice of four main sizes with port threads of 1 / 4 ", 3 / 8 ", 1 / 2 ", 3 / 4 ", 1", 1 1 / 2 " and 2" NPT, which allow for installation flexibility and easy hook-up. The equal internal porting and balanced forces allow identical fill and exhaust flow, making set-up simple and controllable. Amplification of any control logic can be achieved by incorporating the volume booster with Bifold’s ‘Axis’ and modular system solutions. The pneumatically balanced design minimises the impact of both downstream and upstream pressure variations, allowing for improved control along with the block before bleed function. Captive venting is suited to arctic service applications, and has been tested to -60°C. Bifold Fluidpower Ltd – UK marketing@bifold.co.uk www.bifold.co.uk

The company’s patented volume and filter booster range in 316L stainless steel is claimed to provide up to 500 per cent higher flow than the market equivalents.

Where safety is critical, Bifold’s range of volume and filter boosters are SIL 3 third-party certified to IEC 61508 Parts 1 & 2.

In applications where a fast response time on modulating service is required in combination with a fast shutdown time (ESD), the VBP range also eliminates the need for an additional poppet or quick exhaust valve to achieve the required closing speeds. This results in reduced material and labour costs and simplifies positioned set up and control. The range functions with a working pressure range of 2 to 10 bar g, with

Bifold’s high flow volume boosters

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TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL July 2017

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