There are several factors that must be accounted for when delivering leak-free piping systems. With its long experience in the field and innovative, non-welded connection technique, GS-Hydro is able to deliver high-pressure systems that don't just meet but also exceed expectations for quality and reliability.
There are three major factors that must be managed in the planning and installation of leak-free systems. First, the right connection technique must be selected. Second, a single prefabricated tube has to be dimensioned accurately enough. Third, the pipes' support must be solid enough. When these three factors are realised, the piping will be tensionless and stable, and there will be no excessive strain on the joints.
GS-Hydro is a company that uses non-welded connection technology and has delivered leak-free piping systems around the world for more than 30 years. It employs 3D technology to create a design according to provided diagrams and layouts. Strain - such as thermal movements, directed on fittings, clamps and piping - can therefore be estimated beforehand.
GS-Hydro is the original provider of non-welded piping connections. The GS-flange connecting system covers tubes with an outside diameter of 16-609mm, the highest allowed operating pressure being 690bar. The standard production materials are carbon steel (zinc electroplated or hot-dip galvanised) and stainless steel.
When the wall thickness of the high-pressure pipe is fewer than 7mm, the flange is locked to it with 37° flaring. When the wall thickness exceeds 8.5mm, the flange is anchored with a retain ring. The non-welded GS retain ring technique allows tubes with a diameter of 350mm and a 350bar nominal pressure. When the pressure is under 40bar, GS-Hydro applies the 90° flaring technique. The wall thickness can then be a maximum of 11mm and the tube diameter a maximum of 609mm.
The benefits of the GS-flange connection can also be seen with smaller-sized tubes. One benefit of the GS-flange with an outside diameter of 20-50mm compared with a fitting connection (DIN or JIC, for example) is the smaller size and, above all, lower tightening torque, which helps to keep the installation space a reasonable size.
GS-Hydro delivers prefabricated tube modules to the site that are joined together for a complete piping system. This is done by, for example, cold forming or machining instead of welding. Therefore, there will be no tension focusing on the material, decreasing the dimensional accuracy.
Cleaning the insides of the tubes is easy, and there are major time savings as the installation for a high-pressure connection can be made, on average, in a couple of minutes with the GS-Hydro technique. Additionally, the prefabricated pipes, with bending, coatings, stampings, fittings and so on, can be manufactured in workshops with the ideal machinery and by professional personnel. Together, this means that the cost savings are significant compared with welded piping fabricated at the installation site.
