Safety Breakaway Couplings
Overview
Safety breakaway couplings are passive devices located between terminal pipe-work and flexible loading hoses. They are used in the safe transfer of bulk hazardous liquids and gases, including cryogenics. The couplings are typically employed in the liquid transfer between terminals and road tankers, rail tankers and ships. Breakaway couplings are also used in ship-to-ship transfer, as well as supply vessel to drilling platform or oil drilling rig and off shore applications.
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How it Works
The breakaway coupling is normally flanged onto the terminal pipe-work at one end and at the other end to a flexible loading hose, allowing free flow of product in both directions.
During a driveaway or towaway incident, the flexible loading hose comes into tension, transmitting the load to the breakaway coupling which causes the pre-determined break bolts to snap, allowing the coupling halves to separate.
When the safety breakaway coupling is employed, each half of the coupling seals immediately, preventing major product spillage.
![](https://alphaprocess.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BREAKAWAY-COUPLING-768x542.jpg)
Benefits
Reliable operation
Positive shut off
Proven design
Accuracy
Unique break bolt design
Bespoke
Range of applications
Rigorously tested
Obtainable records
Spare parts
Product trials
Manufacturing quality
Manufactured to the Highest Quality Control Standard - QA system ISO 9001: 2018 approved.
CE marked to PED 2014/68/EU
Safety breakaway couplings applications:
- Road tanker loading and unloading
- Rail tanker loading and unloading
- Supply vessel to drilling rig
- Process product transfer.
Typical products handled include:
- Liquefied gases: LPG, butane, propane, propylene.
- Oils: crude, diesel, fuel oils, Jet A1
- Chemicals: ammonia, methanol, aromatics, ethylene & propylene, VCM, alcohols & acids, refrigerants, forane.
- Speciality: hydraulic oils, inks, paints, solvents, locomotive fuelling, helicopter fuelling, aircraft de-Icing fluids.
- Sizes
1″ to 8″ or metric equivalents. - Main body construction
Standard material is stainless steel 316. Duplex, Hasteloy, and Monel are available on request. - Connections
Threaded and flanged variations. 1” to 8” to most standards, including ANSI, BS, DIN, ISO and JIS. - Seals
Viton®, Buna, PTFE, Kalrez®, Chemraz®, others on request. All trademarks acknowledged. - Bespoke
Break bolts calculated to suit each individual application. - Design
Coupling designed for bi-directional flow. - Temperature range
-50ËšC to 100ËšC (See Cryogenic Coupling page for lower temperature range).
Q. What is a safety breakaway coupling?
A. A safety breakaway coupling comprises two half couplings that are held together with shear break bolts to form a leak tight coupling. The breakaway coupling is installed between the terminal pipework and the flexible loading hose. The safety breakaway coupling is designed to be the weak-link in the system so that in the event that the road, rail tanker or ship moves off while still connected the coupling separates and instantly shuts down the flow. The safety breakaway coupling is used in an emergency only and is not normally connected or disconnected in the course of normal use.Â
Enquire Now
To discuss your project, contact one of our team today.
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