Drybreak Couplings
A dry break coupler (also called a dry connect or a dry disconnect coupling) is a fitting that features an automatic mechanism to seal off both ends of a line when the hose is disconnected. This compares to other couplings (such as quick connectors, or camlocks) that are either non-valved/straight-through connections or usually valved in just one half of the connector.
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Drybreak Couplings: Ideal for Expensive or Hazardous Media
Dry break couplers are used in applications where the loss of fluid or spillage is not viable, due to health and safety regulations, environmental considerations, where cleanliness is a factor or simply because the value of the product or media is too great to tolerate any loss.
How Are Drybreak Couplings Used?
Dry disconnect couplings are easily operated. The valves are opened and closed with handles controlling the flow of the liquid in the lines. All products operate slightly differently but generally, there is usually one handle to control the flow and the other to lock the system open or closed.
Where Can Dry Break Couplings be Used?
Typically you would choose a dry break coupler when dealing with either expensive or hazardous media. Dry disconnect couplings can be used anywhere where a standard coupling would be used. They are designed for hose and tank applications and are compatible with IBC tanks.
Why are Drybreak Couplings Better than a Standard Fitting?
Unlike other couplings from the camlock or quick disconnects range, dry disconnects boast either a minimal ‘smear’ spill or a true dry disconnection (minimal ‘spotting’). This makes this range of fittings some of the best engineered and designed connections available on the market today. When the application demands a no drips, non-spill connection, a dry break coupling is the first and only choice.
Which Dry Break Connection Should I Use?
There are many different dry-break couplings so considering the following points will help you make the best choice for your application.
o Valve Type: Flat-Faced Valves, a Ball Valve or a Butterfly Valve – The valve type affects the performance of the couplers flow rate and spillage.
o Acceptable Level of Spillage: Prevention of spillage on disconnection is the main reason for using a dry break coupler, but the acceptable level will vary greatly according to the application and environment. Consider how critical this is to your media or application.
o Pressure Drop: Flow rate will vary greatly from one coupler type to another.
o Interchangeability: Are there already couplings in use with which the couplings must interchange or is it important that the new couplings will not mate with existing fittings on the site?
o Method of Operation & Ease of Use: The position of the connection or the familiarity of the operative with the design, may make one type of coupling more suitable than another.
o Weight and Size: Weight will be important to the operator when moving the hose according to the frequency of the connection, while size may also be critical e.g. when the coupling must fit within the envelope of an IBC (intermediate bulk container).
o Temperature/Pressure/Media/Nominal Bore: Check the size of the connection, and the required pressure and temperature of the media - all will have a bearing on the materials, and size of the coupling that you will need.
o Safety for the Operative & the Environment: Apart from the level of spillage, prevention of accidental disconnection should also be considered. This can be achieved with a mechanical interlock so that disconnection is only possible when the valve is closed.
o Avoiding Cross-Contamination: Accidental connection of the wrong hose line can have serious consequences. Mechanical “keying” of the coupling or the fitting sensors is an option, which will prevent this from accidentally happening.
This list is not exhaustive. Experience has shown that every new application brings different factors to bear in the best choice of dry break couplings. We are always on-hand, and happy to discuss your specific requirements with you.
When Shouldn’t you use a Dry Break Coupling?
Drybreak Couplings are versatile and have a wide range of material, size, and design options. They can be used in the majority of applications. However, if it is only a simple connector you need and spillage is not a problem, you may like to consider camlocks or quick disconnects. Whatever your needs or budget, we will have a fitting to suit your application.
Maintenance
As with all fittings, drybreak couplings contain moving parts and these need replacing on a regular basis. When things go wrong, the downtime can be expensive if lines are halted for maintenance. Having a service procedure in place is highly recommended.
Make sure the specified timescales for these checks are assessed on the level of use involved, the environment and application. For example, are the fittings continually moved about or stationary? Users of fittings in applications where lines are used in delivery and collection should be especially careful, as there will be more pressure on the fittings in this instance.
Service Assistance
Most dry break fittings can be stripped down, checked and have the parts replaced on site as long as you have the right tools and expertise in-house. If not, Action Sealtite does offer a service where these fittings can be sent back to us to service for you. We will replace any worn parts, re-test and re-certify. If this is a service that would benefit you please call us on +44 (0)1235 512500.
Call our Sales Team on +44 (0)1235 512500