The general high-pressure rubber hose is not suited for conveying hot water and saturated steam. Steam hoses are a more viable option for such purposes. Steam hoses are specialty made rubber hoses to convey steam between two connected points. These customized, flexible hoses play a critical role in various business processes. Rubber steam hoses are made from high-quality rubber, usually EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer).
EPDM is a high-quality black colored and smooth synthetic rubber and shows excellent resistance to heat, water and steam, alkalis and acid, ozone, and sunlight. When transferring steam across industrial units, the stakeholder must meet proper specifications to avoid damage and move the steam safely. Hence, it is imperative to choose the appropriate rubber steam hose for a specific application.
A Steam hose with braided steel wire reinforcement helps to seamlessly deliver steam for fire prevention, heat control, and other purposes. This article further elaborates on the steam hose specification.
Structure of the Steam Hose
The steam hose consists of three parts, which include tube, reinforcement, and cover.
- Tube: The tube of a steam hose consists of high-quality black colored and smooth EPDM. It enables the steam hose to withstand high-temperature steam.
- Reinforcement: The reinforcement layer consists of one or two layers of braided steel wire of high tensile and high strength. It makes the tube resistant to high pressure.
- Cover: The outer covering consists of high-quality EPDM. It makes the hose resistant to abrasion, corrosion, different weather changes, ozone, wear and tear caused by aging, crushing, cracking, and bursting. It allows the hose to deliver steam safely.
Types of Steam Hoses
There are mainly two types of saturated steam that can convey saturated steam. It includes:
1. Low-pressure steam hose
- Corresponding temperature: 164°C
- Maximum working pressure: 6 bar
2. High-pressure steam hose
- Corresponding temperature: 210°C
- Maximum working pressure: 18 bar
3. Oil Resistant Steam Hose
These are high-temperature hoses and can withstand temperatures up to 207°C (406°F) for saturated steam. They can tolerate temperatures up to 232°C(450°F) for superheated steam.
4. Non-Oil Resistant Steam Hose
These hoses are useful for general purpose applications. They show better longevity than its counterpart, an oil-resistant hose. But exposure to oils or higher temperature can subject it to damage. Exposure to hydrocarbons such as diesel-based inverted muds, lubricants, cleaners also makes it prone to injury.
These substances can cause the covering to soften and swell, which can cause wear and tear. The degradation of the surface causes moisture to seep in, which can trigger corrosion and affect the steam hose’s pressure ratings.
Selection Criteria
When selecting the proper steam hose, you need to consider the following.
- Dimensions: You need to determine the desired length, inside and outside diameter of the steam hose to suit your end-use applications.
- Operating Range: Identify the type of steam you want to work with (dry, wet, superheated) to determine which steam hose will serve your purpose.
- Temperature: The temperature ratings of the steam hose should withstand exposure to a given maximum temperature.
- Pressure: The steam hose should be able to endure the maximum pressure and additional pressure if required. Consider the pressure of the system in which you will use the steam hose. The occasional pressure surge should not exceed the max pressure of the hose.
- Material: Choose the suitable material for your steam hose so that it can appropriately resist heat, water, and steam. It should not react with fluid or chemicals to which it gets exposed.
Regular Maintenance and Inspection of Steam Hoses
Aging and exposure to working conditions can cause rubber steam hoses to wear away. Regular maintenance and inspection of steam hoses are essential for safety measurements. You should pay attention to
- Rubber pellets or blisters that occur on hose cover
- Cracks that expose the hose braid,
- Leakage of steam which occurs near hose fittings or in other hose parts
- Flattening or kinks that increases the hoses vulnerability to future damage
- A decrease in steam flow indicates swelling of the internal layer.
If you find out any of these problems, you should immediately intervene in the operation of the steam hose. You should inspect the steam hose thoroughly before subsequent use.
Common Applications
Steam hoses help to convey dry, wet, or superheated steam in industries. The typical applications of steam hoses include:
- Heating: Steam is a heat source in food processing factories, refineries, and chemical plants. With steam hoses, one can quickly deploy steam. In refineries, the steam hoses help to supply heat for lubricating and increasing flow for various applications.
- Propulsion: Steam turbines require steam for propulsion applications. Steam hoses generally need superheated steam. In these applications, steam hoses are helpful.
- Moisturization: Some industrial processes require moisture and heat supply simultaneously. It is generally used in the paper production industry and pellet mills. Steam hoses can serve these purposes in the given industries.
To Conclude
The article deals extensively with steam hoses. It will help you understand their various specifications and choose the proper steam hose for quickly and safely conveying steam in your industry.
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