Mixing high- and medium-pressure fittings or incompatible parts makes systems unstable, inefficient and potentially dangerous. At worst, it can cause a potentially fatal explosion.
At Parker, we’re all about making our products safe as possible and helping customers to minimise risk. Safety doesn’t happen by accident, so you need to know how to avoid the risk and what to do if you come across a mixed-pressure connection that could be hazardous.
Dangerous connectionsOur engineers have recently come across situations where customers have created system connections using components with different pressure ratings. These instances are rare, but they can and do happen; creating unnecessary risks for everyone using the system.
If a Medium pressure tube is machined with High pressure tooling, this reduces the wall thickness below safe limits, and can lead to catastrophic failure. Similarly, combining a High pressure fitting with a Medium pressure tube means the male and female connections will not fit correctly. It may seem like the threads match, but the gland nuts will not engage to the required depth for the system to remain safe. The mechanical properties of the metals used in High and Medium pressure fittings are very different, meaning medium pressure units cannot withstand the application of high pressure.
Different pressure-rated fittings just don’t mix, and there’s no safe way to combine Medium and High pressure elements. Mixing different types of connections, product lines or parts from different manufacturers is also dangerous and removes any warranties.
Remember, just because something "can be done", doesn't mean that it "should be done"!
How it happensThe diagram below shows how the positions of collars and glands are different, depending on the pressure of the connection.
Fig. 1. The difference in positions of collars and glands in medium and high pressure connections.
Avoiding and reducing riskWe recommend that you never mix together:
- High pressure and Medium pressure Parker Autoclave Engineers parts
- Parker parts with those from other manufacturers.
All Parker Autoclave Engineers fittings carry our manufacturer’s name, part number, material, heat code and maximum pressure rating. We also make it easy to distinguish between different pressure ranges by clear notch markings on High pressure nuts.
Parker Instrumentation Products Division provides specialist SBEx (Small Bore Expert) safety training on correct and safe assembly of instrument connections to improve safety and skills across the engineering sector. For further support you can contact your local Parker Instrumentation Products distributor or visit our website.
Fig. 2. Notch marking on Parker Autoclave Engineer's High pressure fitting nuts provides differentiation from Parker's other pressure fittings.
Making a safe connectionIf you need to assemble Medium pressure with High pressure in one system, we recommend the use of Parker adapters. For safety reasons, the Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP) rating is based on the lowest rating of any component (Maximum 20,000 psi).
Fig 3. Male-to-male medium-pressure to high-pressure adapter.
The second adapter (Fig. 4) overcomes the problem of the final rotational position not being predictable, making it safe and practical to use when positioning elbow/tee fittings and valves.
Fig. 4. Male-to-male adapter.
Download Parker Autoclave Engineers adapters technical catalogue.
If you find a mixed-build connectionIf you come across a mixed-pressure arrangement, you should immediately isolate, remove and replace it with a proper connection using matching and compatible Parker parts. Otherwise, there is a real risk of failure or burst that could lead to catastrophic failure, resulting in injury or death.
Learn more about Parker Autoclave Engineers range of fittings and tubing suitable for low, medium and high pressure applications:
Parker Autoclave Engineers cone and thread fittings - up to 150,000 psi
Parker Autoclave Engineers Tubing - from 15,000 psi to 150,000 psi
Article contributed by Franck Grignola, product manager EMEA - high pressure, Instrumentation Products Division Europe.
Related Content:
New Faster Tube Connection Technology For Medium Pressure Applications
Medium Pressure Safety - All Tubing is Not Created Equal
A Wealth of Worldwide Opportunities For High Pressure Technology
Small Bore EXpert (SBEX) Training | Offshore Europe
NORSOK M650 Compliance – An Essential Prerequisite for the Offshore Industry