Energy consumption is an increasingly important issue to both domestic and foreign companies. In addition to the direct energy costs, environmental regulations and the associated taxes and penalties are becoming significant issues for companies and governments seeking to have companies reduce their carbon footprints.
Toward Leak-Tight Systems
Tube fittings can have a significant impact on energy consumption by reducing system leaks. The logic is straight forward. Properly installed high-quality tube fittings and tubing can reduce leakage to near zero. Fewer leaks mean less fuel is consumed in production. Less fuel consumption means fewer emissions.
A Cascading Affect
While direct energy losses, through leaks in steam, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, are one consideration, the effects of leaks on process control and automation may have an even more significant affect on companies’ energy consumption.
Instrumentation Systems
In process instrumentation, leak-tight tube fitting connections are critical to achieving accurate pressure and flow measurements. Fewer leaks can also mean tighter control over process temperatures and pressures reducing the fuel consumption needed to deal with system inconsistencies. Better temperature and pressure control can also lead to higher yields. In addition, higher yields mean that less energy is expended in making products that must be discarded or remanufactured.
In analytical sampling systems, leak-tight systems ensure that the required sample purity and quantity are delivered to that analyzer. Better analysis can mean more reliable system adjustments leading to better quality and lower energy costs.
Automation
Reducing leaks can make pneumatic and hydraulic equipment more reliable. Higher reliability can mean that automated processes can be optimized to be more efficient and the cost to run pumps and compressors can be reduced. Higher quality can also reduce maintenance costs as automated tools are operated at their designed pressures and because fewer cycles are required to meet production schedules.
Using Tube Fittings to Save Energy
Better efficiency is achieved in the following ways.
- Use tube fittings whenever possible to replace pipe fittings.
- Pipe fittings, especially interference-type fittings such as NPT and ISO tapered thread are more difficult to install and more susceptible to system dynamics than tube fittings. In addition, because tubing can be bent, fewer fittings are uses reducing the number of potential leak-points in the system.
- Ensure leak-tight tube fitting installation
Leak-tight is the product of quality tube fittings , tubing selection and proper installation.
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