您是否为您的应用选择了正确的连接器？
Are You Selecting the Right Coupler for Your Application?
By Dave Morrow, Director of Product Management, OPW Engineered Systems

随着化学工业的发展，对先进转移解决方案的需求也在增加。当今的现代化学工业需要连接以满足高安全和监管标准，同时为各种不同操作的应用提供- 佳性能温度和压力。快速接头是工厂和化学品运输到供应链下一环节之间的关键连接点。选择正确的快速接头的重要性不可夸大，定制也不可忽视。As the chemical industry has evolved, so have the needs for advanced transfer solutions. The landscape of today’s modern chemical industry requires connections to meet high safety and regulatory standards,while delivering the best performance for a wide range of applications with varying operational temperatures and pressures.Couplers are the critical connection point between the plant and the transportation of the chemical to the next segment of the supply chain. The importance of selecting the right couplings cannot be overstated and customization cannot be overlooked.

The Evolution of Couplings
快速接头的演化

当今的化学和石油工业所面临的现实需要创新的、精心设计的耦合技术，以处理广泛的应用。从高压或高温下- 危险的流体输送应用到- 基本的流体输送应用。这些是工厂安全和制造专业人员- 感兴趣的化学品类型，因为与人或环境接触可能是灾难性的。像这样的化学品包括易燃品、爆炸物、有毒产品和致癌物。耦合器和配件技术的发展很快，并且在投资过程安全计划时引入了无数的选择和变化。The realities faced by today’s chemical and petroleum industries demand innovative, carefully engineered coupling technologies that are built to handle a wide range of applications. These can range from the most extreme hazardous fluid-transfer application under high pressures or temperatures to the most basic.These are the type of chemicals that plant safety and manufacturing professionals are most interested in containing because contact with people or the environment can be disastrous. Chemicals like this include flammable products, explosive products, toxic products and carcinogens. The evolution of coupler and fittings technology has happened quickly and has introduced countless options and variations to consider when investing in your process safety program.

让我们来看看快速接头技术的发展，它将帮助您决定在选择合适的配件或耦合器以保护您的产品、您的人员和我们的环境时需要走的道路。Let’s take a look at the evolution of coupling technology that will help you decide the path you need to take when selecting the right fitting or coupler to protect your product, your people and our environment.

螺纹Threads

美国国家管道锥形NPT螺纹是所有管道和阀门螺纹的美国标准。与典型螺栓（直螺纹）上的螺纹不同，锥形螺纹实际上会拉得更紧，从而增加螺纹的扭矩和磨损。这些设备很容易安装在各种类型的管道或软管上，使用这些设备只需很少的培训或专用工具。然而，随着时间的推移，这些类型的连接往往会磨损，必须进行适当的监控。此外，如果不使用Teflon胶带或密封剂密封，则连接件容易泄漏。National Pipe Tapered (NPT) thread is the American standard for all piping and valve threads. Unlike threads found on a typical bolt, which is a straight thread, tapered threads will actually pull tighter, increasing torque and wear on the threads. These are easy to assemble on various types of piping or hoses, and it takes little training or special tools to work with it. However, these types of connections tend to wear out over time and must be properly monitored. In addition, the connections are prone to leaks if not sealed with Teflon tape or sealant.

如果忽视维护和更换，发生严重事故的风险就会增加。螺纹连接非常适用于低压、低应力管道，尤其是1-1/2“及更小尺寸的管道。在高压应用中，那些有振动或其他可能的机械负载，螺纹连接的问题更大。If maintenance and replacement are neglected, the risk for a serious accident increases. Threaded connections are very good for low-pressure, low-stress piping, especially in small sizes like 1-1/2" and smaller. In high-pressure applications,those with vibration or other possible mechanical loading,threaded connections are more problematic.

螺纹连接的另一个复杂问题是使用管钳和作弊器时的暴力，这将成为一个安全隐患和符合人体工程学的问题。在连接和断开螺纹连接时经常需要。当连接处使用的力越大，连接就越牢固。然而，在另一方面，连接变得更难拆卸，这增加了损坏和泄漏的风险。Another complication with threaded connections is the aspect of brute force when using pipe wrenches and cheaters, which becomes a safety hazard and ergonomic issue. It’s often needed when connecting and disconnecting threaded connections. When more force is used at connection, the stronger that connection is. However, on the flip side,the connection becomes harder to remove, which increases the risk that damage and leaks might occur.

OPW Quick & Dry Disconnect Fittings Catalog

Flanges法兰

法兰是另一种广泛使用的连接，通常用于高压、无重复连接。由于密封质量的原因，一些迹象会使法兰连接优于NPT。Flanges are another widely used connection that are generally used for high-pressure, nonrepeated connections. Some indications would make flange connections superior to NPT due to seal quality.

每一种连接类型都是经过试验和验证的，并且经过多年和许多行业的验证，它们都是有价值的。法兰连接使用两个法兰和一定数量的双头螺栓和螺母，它们之间有一个垫圈来固定密封。这些连接也很常见，也很费时，但由于许多原因，包括垫圈处和错误安装，它们很容易发生泄漏。此外，法兰可能会受到热变形和冲击。Each of these connection types are tried and true,and have proven themselves worthy over many years and across numerous industries.Flanged connections are made using two flanges and a select number of stud bolts and nuts, with a gasket between them to secure a seal. These connections, too, are common and time consuming, but can be susceptible to leaks for many reasons, including at the gasket and due to faulty installation. Additionally, flanges can be subject to thermal distortion and shock.

法兰管道系统需要更大的空间，安装成本也更高。由于系统处理起来很重，法兰连接很费时，而且在需要一个以上操作员的工厂中，需要管道安装工。根据螺栓的数量（4、8、16等）和法兰的尺寸，需要花费大量的时间来松开和重新启动。More space is needed for flanged pipe systems and they are more expensive to install. Because the systems are heavy to handle, flanged connections are time consuming to connect and require pipe fitters in plants that can require more than one operator. Based on the number of bolts (4, 8, 16, etc.) and size of the flange, it can take enormous amounts of time to unbolt and rebolt.

法兰有一个位置，但不适合重复或重复连接，因为它们需要很多时间来连接。对于许多高压力、重复连接点来说，引入接头是一个很大的改进。Flanges have a place but aren’t ideal for repeated or repetitive connections because they take a lot of time to connect. The introduction of unions was a big improvement for many higher-pressure, repeated connection points.

Unions活接头

活接头有“锤式管接头”的绰号，因为你必须使用暴力来让他们密封。由于平垫圈结构，当施加力时，平垫圈容易被压碎。总是有排放的风险，因为密封总是有问题的。通常情况下，操作人员会准备好备用垫圈，因为它们容易泄漏。液压锤接头为高压接头，不匹配（或交叉匹配）导致潜在危险液体的不受控制释放，可能导致伤害。由于这些危险，工会可能是危险的、昂贵的和不可靠的。Unions have the nickname “hammer unions” because you have to use brute force to get them to seal. Due to the flat-gasket construction, the flat gasket can easily be crushed when force is applied. There’s always the risk of emissions because the seal is always in question. Typically, operators will have spare gaskets readily available, as they are prone to leak. Hammer unions, being high pressure, have been mismatched (or cross-matched) causing uncontrolled releases of potentially hazardous fluids that can result in injury. Because of these hazards, unions can be risky,expensive and unreliable.

Kam和凹槽

Kam和凹槽技术提供更快、更低压力的快速连接。专为重复连接的运营商设计，它实际上是快速连接的开始。由于螺纹和法兰的痛点，人们需要一个坚固的快速连接接头，其结果是一个自动锁定双臂设计，用于锁定一根软管或与另一根软管配合到位。母接头有两个“凸轮”作为总成的一部分。公接头的形状允许凸轮“锁定”到位。所有kam和沟槽配件的尺寸应符合美国军用规范A-A59326（1998年9月25日生效）。Kam-and-groove technology provides a faster, lowerpressure quick connection. Designed for operators that make repeated connections, it was really the beginning of quick connects. Due to the pain points of threads and flanges,there was the demand for a robust, quick-connect coupling.The result was an auto-locking twin-arm design that is used to lock one hose or fitting into place with another one. The female connector has two “cams” as part of the assembly. The male connector has a shape that allows the cams to “lock” into place. All kam-and-groove fittings should be dimensioned to U.S. Military specification A-A59326 (effective 9/25/1998).

多年来，kam和凹槽有了逐步改进。- 显著的改进是开发了自动锁定凸轮臂，- 大限度地降低了因臂未保持锁定位置而导致产品意外释放的风险。Kam和沟槽广泛应用于所有行业。但是，必须记住，这些连接受压力限制（通常小于250 psi），不应用于任何压缩气体服务，包括蒸汽或空气。There have been incremental improvements to kam and grooves over the years. The most significant improvement has been the development of auto-locking cam arms that minimize the risk of accidental releases of products that can be caused by arms not remaining in a locked position. Kam and grooves are widely used across all industries.However, it’s important to keep in mind that these connections are limited by pressure (generally, less than 250 psi) and should not be used in any compressed-gas service, including steam or air.

尽管它们被广泛采用和使用，但kam和凹槽仍然存在一个问题——它们会泄漏。在许多应用中，为了将这种风险降到- 低，这些开放的连接带来了风险，市场需要更多。此外，如果在压力下打开这些连接，可能会造成人身伤害和/或释放有害物质。Despite their widespread adoption and use, there was still an issue with kam and grooves - they leak. Whatever residual product is left in the line will spill when uncoupled.In many applications the lines are blown down to minimize this risk, but the reality is that these open connections posed a risk and the market wanted more. Additionally, if these connections are opened while under pressure, bodily harm can be caused and/or hazardous materials could be released.

The Birth of Dry Disconnects
干式快速接头的诞生

人们开始将kam和凹槽技术与球阀结合起来，在适配器后面放置一个球阀，在联轴器后面放置另一个球阀，以尽量减少滴水。这种方法基本上是第一次干断开。结合一个阀门与一个卡姆和沟槽，干式快速接头诞生。People started to combine kam-and-groove technology with a ball valve, placing a ball valve behind the adaptor and another ball valve right behind the coupling to minimize drippage. This method was essentially the first dry disconnect. Combining a valve with a kam-and-groove,dry disconnects were born.

干式快速接头已经存在了很多年，随着时间的推移，已经进行了改进，并制造了其他版本。虽然运营商采用了干式断开装置，但对更好的流量和更少的滴水量有着需求。为了实现这两个目标，市场上推出了更大的版本。它们被设计成一种更坚固的耦合器，用于重工业，能够提供更广泛的化学相容性。The dry disconnect has been around for many years and over that time, improvements have been made and other versions have been manufactured. While operators adopted the dry disconnect, there was a demand for even better flow and less drippage. In an effort to achieve both, larger versions have been introduced to the market. These were designed to be a more robust coupler for heavy industries with the ability to offer broader chemical compatibility.

另一种主要类型的弹出式干式断开装置，北约式，扭转连接耦合技术，是在欧洲创建的，因为欧洲公司要求对油罐车和ISO油罐容器的连接进行标准化。这些联接器是根据NATO STANAG 3756制造的。The other main type of poppeted dry disconnects,NATO-style, twist-to-connect coupling technology, was created in Europe because there was a demand by European companies to standardize connections for tank trucks and ISO tank containers. These couplings are manufactured in accordance with NATO STANAG 3756.

这是一个简单的连接与简单的扭曲连接，广泛的标准化接受已经驱动了在欧洲各地的网站和机器的大量适配器。另外，twist-to-connect方法没有操作手柄，因此非常紧凑，非常适合小空间使用。It’s an easy connection with the simple twist-to-connect,and the broad standardization acceptance has driven the abundance of adaptors at sites and machines across Europe. Additionally, the twist-to-connect method doesn’t have an operating handle, making it compact and ideal for small spaces.

但不管你在地球上的什么地方，运营商仍然希望更好的流量和更少的泄漏。But no matter where you were on the planet, operators still wanted even better flow and even less drippage.

非提升阀的干式快速接头
Non-Poppeted Dry Disconnects

一个用户可以接受的东西，另一个用户可能完全不能接受。当转移高风险或高价值产品时，产品损失不是一个选择，非提升阀式干断开装置的开发是从对- 佳流量和- 小可能滴漏的需求发展而来的。What’s acceptable to one user might be completely unacceptable to another. And when transferring high-hazard or high-value products, product loss is not an option.The development of non-poppeted dry disconnects evolved from the demand for optimum flow and the least possible drippage.

非提升阀干式断开装置是- 先进、- 昂贵的干式断开装置，但由于其在确保高价值和高危害产品时为企业和环境提供保护，因此通常是- 佳选择。在传统的干式断开装置中，提升阀是一个部件，它的消除会导致几乎为零的压降，在断开装置时具有卓越的流体损失预防功能。Non-poppeted dry disconnects are the most advanced and most expensive dry disconnects but are frequently the best choice because of the protection they give businesses and the environment when securing high-value and high-hazard products. The elimination of the poppet that is a component in traditional dry disconnect results in virtually zero pressure drop, with superior fluid-loss prevention upon disconnection.

这些快速接头采用创新的双球阀系统设计，可实现无限制流道和双关闭可靠性的战术平衡。由于这种独特的双球阀球阀系统，在断开时没有产品被困在腔中或丢失，在处理高低温时，操作人员需要更加极端一些。These couplings were engineered with an innovative double ball-valve system, which delivers a tactical balance of unrestricted flow path and double shutoff reliability. Because of this unique double ball-valve ball system, no product is trapped in the cavity or lost at disconnection.When dealing with high and low temperatures, operators need to get a little more extreme.

Extreme Safety Connections Beyond Dry Disconnects
干断开以外的极端安全连接

极端快速连接安全接头专为- 苛刻的高温、低温和高压应用而设计。Extreme quick-connect safety connections are engineered for the toughest highand low-temperature and high-pressure applications.

这些连接服务于全球工业，为一些- 困难和- 苛刻的液体和气体应用提供安全传输解决方案。极端连接从与极端寒冷的兼容到极端炎热，每一种都有其独特的产品设计挑战。从极端温度到极端压力，行业需求驱使耦合制造商开发解决方案以满足这些需求。These connections serve global industries to provide safe transfer solutions for some of the most difficult and demanding liquid and gas applications. Extreme connections vary from compatibility with extreme cold to extreme heat,with each offering its own unique product design challenges.From extreme temperatures, to extreme pressures, industry demands have driven coupling manufacturers to develop solutions to meet these needs.

极端安全连接对于防止化学品或气体在流动时泄漏、减少极端温度（从低温到400华氏度（204摄氏度））下挥发性有机化合物的无组织排放以及将高达15000磅/平方英寸的压力添加到等式中至关重要。一个例子是设计用于工作温度为-260华氏度（-162摄氏度）的液化天然气的联接器。在井场进行的连接可以达到数千磅/平方英寸。这些应用推动了设计和工程的极限，但工业界已经通过提供安全、可靠的连接来应对几乎所有的应用。Extreme safety connections are vital to preventing chemical or gas leakage while flowing, reducing fugitive emissions of VOCs in extreme temperatures, from cryogenic to 400oF (204oC), and pressures, up to 15,000 psi, are added to the equation. One example would be couplings designed for use with Liquefied Natural Gas with operating temperatures of -260oF (-162oC). Connections made at a wellsite could be in the thousands of psi. These applications push the limits of design and engineering, but the industry has stepped up to the challenge by providing safe, reliable connections to meet nearly any application.

如果您连接的卡车或轨道车意外离开，会发生什么情况？一个潜在的灾难性问题。已经开发了安全分离联轴器，以将这种风险降到- 低。根据特定应用程序的需要，可以使用许多类型和样式。这里的重要注意事项是，这些是工程解决方案，应按照制造商指南进行规定和安装。系统不能安装在真空中，除非考虑一系列标准，包括所处理的特定介质、系统压力和温度、拉力角和支撑重量。What would happen if the truck or railcar that you’ve connected left unexpectedly? A potentially catastrophic issue. Safety Breakaway Couplings have been developed to minimize this risk. Many types and styles are available depending on the needs of the specific application. The important note here is that these are engineered solutions and should be specified and installed per manufacturer guidelines. Systems cannot be installed in a vacuum, without considering a host of criteria including the specific media being handled, the system pressures and temperatures, the angle of pull, and the amount of supported weight.

Prepare for the Unpredictable
为不可预知的事情做准备

选择正确的快速接头技术可能是一个非常困难的过程，如果你自己做的话。随着法规的遵循和无数变量的考虑，包括流量、滴水量、价格、压力和人体工程学，运营商可以依赖像OPW工程系统这样的公司，这些公司在开发创新的耦合器技术方面一直处于领先地位。通过个性化流程，运营商将能够帮助选择保护产品、人员和环境的完美快速插拔接头。Choosing the right coupling technology can be a very difficult process if you’re doing it on your own. With regulations to follow and countless variables to consider including flow, drippage, price, pressure and ergonomics,operators can rely on companies like OPW Engineered Systems that have been ahead of the curve in developing innovative coupler technologies. By going through a personalized process, operators will be able to assist in selecting the perfect coupler that protects product, people and the environment.

如需了解有关快速插拔接头设备的更多信息，以帮助您消除液体泄漏，或了解有关创新型产品的更多信息，以防止泄漏并节省您的资金，请联系您当地的授权OPW经销商或致电OPW客户服务部010-84282935。For more information on UST equipment that will help you eliminate water intrusion or to learn more about innovative UST equipment to prevent water intrusion and save you money, please contact your local, authorized OPW Distributor or call OPW Customer Service at 010-84282935.