Flip-Flap Valve Type Marine Breakaway Coupling
In a world ever more concerned about environmental damage caused by oil, petroleum, liquid gases and crude light oil spills, engineers are continuously working to improve and update existing safety measures, and invent new ones.
Not only does the environment suffer in the event of a major oil spill but company reputations can be badly damaged, delivery times affected, production lost due to down time and clean-up obligations, and financial penalties incurred through government and civil litigation.
What the flip-flap valve does:
With scientists and engineers working to improve the industry?s image and reputation, many new safety features have evolved over time, including the Flip-Flap Valve Type Marine Breakaway Coupling.
In an already inherently dangerous industry, the transfer of petroleum liquids from conventional buoy mooring terminals, single point mooring terminals, pontoons, offshore barges, and other terminals by hose; has always been an operation of major safety concerns.
With the ever present risk of hose fractures due to tanker movement away from the terminal during transfers, or high pressure surges in the hose, the Flip-Flap Valve Type Marine Breakaway Coupling is designed to completely shut off fluid flow, and allow the hose to safely part without liquid leaking from either side of the coupling.
Since the coupling?s introduction there have been numerous incidents of the coupling parting due to tanker movement or pressure, and the coupling has proved to be 100% efficient, with no loss of the liquid on either side. Once the barge or tanker is repositioned, the flip-flap valve coupling is re-connected and pumping continues.
Flip-flap valve marine breakaway couplings are Virtually maintenance free:
The corrosion properties of metals in sea water are well known, and provide a constant need to repair, maintain and replace parts and equipment for the many companies and organisations that make a living on or around the oceans of the world. The cost of this continuous fight against the sea runs into millions of dollars annually.
The coupling when in use spends its time submerged, floating, or suspended above the sea. With this in mind, the external surfaces of the coupling are coated with a state of the art anti-corrosion system which eliminates the need for regular anti-corrosion maintenance, while the interior surfaces are of stainless steel.
The coupling is self-energising. Other than the valves, which are activated by the flow of liquid, or a set of springs should the hose be empty, there are no other moving parts and no external power source is required. The Flip-Flap Valve Type Marine Breakaway Coupling should be removed during normal hose changeovers, or every three to five years for refurbishment, whichever is the sooner.
