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Hydratight harnesses elbow power

HYDRATIGHT says it has designed a hightech, cost-effective design to a refacing tool for hard to reach pipe flanges whose integrity must be maintained.

The ultra-light, ultra-portable QuickFace is a new Hand-Powered refacing tool that retains the accuracy and performance of the bigger air and electrically powered cousins in Hydratight’s range.

The portable QuickFace turns a twoman operation with heavy equipment, compressors or portable generators into a one-man job that can be undertaken anywhere a technician can physically reach – whether at the top of a refinery installation or miles from the nearest power supply.

The QuickFace tool weighs only 6.8kg (15lb) – and in its storage case with interchangeable collets and lead screws is a mere 15kg (33lb), despite which it can reface flange surfaces on pipes from 1 - 4in with ease, using standard half-inch cutting tools.

“Many flanges have to be refaced in-situ without readily available power, because the flange is difficult or inaccessible. Sometimes such a repair simply isn’t costeffective – and that means taking a gamble on future integrity,” said Hydratight global support engineer Alan Jones.

“About 90% of all flanged joint leaks are on pipes in the 1"–4" range – exactly what QuickFace is designed for. Many leaks are caused by poor joint-surface finish. Correcting this usually involves finding a resurfacing machine and competent technicians – and having the time to complete the job. “QuickFace is small enough to be a permanent addition to any technical equipment store.

The alternative may be transporting teams and equipment by helicopter and running generators or compressors – all at much greater expense, where they are available at all.”

Hydratight engineers have pared weight but not features: the system has interchangeable lead screws that make it suitable for resurfacing damaged raised-face and lens-ring joint flanges to the varying standards of finish demanded of standard and compact flange designs. “Having QuickFace on site removes the need to gamble on the quality of a joint’s surface finish,” said Mr Jones. “A tradesman on site can do the job in the same time as a team using traditional tools – and produce a finish well within specification. It’s a perfect solution to a genuine problem.”

+44 12150 50800

quickface@hydratight.com