Edmonton Valve & Fitting Blog

If you can’t make it to our office, we can come to you with our new Grab Sample panel*

This past June we featured our new Grab Sample System demo panel, outfitted with clear tubing components and a clear cylinder. Interested in seeing a demo for yourself, send us an email and we can make that happen!*

There’s no better way to see how something works than to see it live in action. That’s why we have built a Grab Sample System Panel with clear components, so you can see the fluid running through it and get a better perception of how it all comes together.

“Behind the scenes” look

We first showcased this Grab Sample panel in our Swagelok booth at the Global Petroleum Show in Calgary this past June.What makes this panel unique is that we used clear components (tubing and sample cylinder) and ‘Swagelok Blue’ water running through the system. This gave those watching a detailed look at how the fluid moves through the system and fills up the cylinder as the sample.

“Seeing the fluid run through the system with the clear components was really cool and it gave me an unobstructed view of how this product works,” says one customer visiting our booth. “It was also great that I was able to get a description from the Swagelok account manager on what was happening in real time and answer my questions right on the spot.”

New to this system?

If you weren’t able to make it down to see the Grab Sample demo panel during the show and maybe aren’t too sure what the system is all about, here is a breakdown of what Grab Sampling can help validate:

• Process conditions
• The end product meets quality specifications
• The online analyzers are ‘fit for use’
• Quality of product during custody transfer

We also have a great resource page that goes into more details on Grab Sample Systems, with information ranging from covering the basics to system designs, and accessories. Access that information here.

Coming to you

Getting a live demo can really showcase what our Grab Sampling Systems are all about and we have our Grab Sample System set-up in our Edmonton office to do just that.  We will provide demonstrations to you and your staff, plus answer all your questions that you may have. Can’t make into our office? No problem. We can coordinate with your account manager to visit your location with the demo panel and give you that one-on-one time at your own leisure. Just give us a call or send us an email and we will get it set-up.

If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to call one of our experienced reps for further advice. Please click here to get in touch.

*Note: Grab Sample Panel visits can only be set-up in our Sales & Services area but we would be happy to get you connected to your local Swagelok distributor - so still send us your request!

The hard case and foam cutouts protect your tools and make them easy to find

To give your tools the protection they need, we suggest using our Instrumentation tool kit. Not only does this kit have all the equipment you need housed in one place, but it keeps your tools safe, both in the travel to and from job sites, and safe from other elements in your surroundings. If you want to learn more, send us a note and we would be happy to get you started. 

When you make an investment, it's smart to protect it. So how best to protect an investment in high-quality Swagelok tools? Buy the tools and the protection at the same time with our Instrumentation Tool Kit.

The hard plastic case from Pelican Products keeps tools safe from dirt and damage. Inside, each tool has its own cutout in the foam liner. You can tell at a glance whether everything has been returned to its proper place, and whether someone has borrowed a tool and not yet returned it. The lockable case is only about four inches thick, slim enough to slip under the seat of a truck.

Take a look inside

The Instrumentation Tool Kit has all you need to assemble the three most popular sizes of Swagelok tube fittings: 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch.

You get hand tube benders in three sizes, a deburring tool, a tube cutter, ratchet wrenches in three sizes, pre-swaging tools in three sizes, an inspection gauge, and tee wrenches in three sizes.

While you don't need any specialized tools to install Swagelok tube fittings, our tee wrenches and ratchet wrenches make the job easier and speed up the work. The pre-swaging tools allow you to prepare tubing on the bench and then take the assemblies to the field and put it all together. That can be very helpful if you are working in tight spaces, over your head or down by your feet.

To top off the deal, we include a copy of the Swagelok Tube Fitter's Manual, the go-to reference for fluid system engineers, designers, and technicians. Its 11 chapters cover all you need to know about tube fittings and fitting installation, with a balance of theory and practical examples. The manual also contains tubing specification and ordering information, troubleshooting tips, pressure ratings and more.

Far too many people simply toss their tools into a big box on the back of their truck. The tools rattle around and get lost under other tools. That makes no sense. When you have the right tools for the job, the next logical step is to have the right case for the tools. Get in touch with us today and we can help you get the necessary protection for your tools.

Additional resources:

• Forget Trial and Error; Take Our Tube Bending Course
• Swagelok Tube Fitter's Manual Updated and Revised
• Edmonton Valve's 5 Pillar Approach to Services

Cylinder assemblies take a beating in the field, so give them the attention they deserve

Edmonton Valve’s Cylinder Maintenance program will put your cylinders to the test with a visual inspection, assessment of threads, fittings, etc., and a full detailed report on their overall condition with recommendations for repairs and further testing if required. Contact us if you would like to set-up a discussion for your own cylinder maintenance program. 

Sample cylinder assemblies can face a rough life in the field. Unlike fittings or gauges, you don't just install them and leave them alone while they do their job, possibly for years. Cylinder assemblies go through an endless series of connecting and disconnecting and valves are continuously opening and closing. Valve stems are subject to wear over time as the seals are being exposed to different fluids, range of temperatures, and pressures.

The assembly may rattle around in a truck bed while being transported around the site. There's a lot of potential for sudden damage, such as someone dropping an assembly and breaking a valve handle, or long-term damage such as threads wearing out. Extreme cold weather that we have in Alberta definitely takes its toll too.

If you don't pay close enough attention to the wear and tear, leaks may develop at the connection points. In applications where a coating such as sulfinert is required, repeated use can wear away the coating and give you less accurate readings when the contents are analyzed.

Introducing our cylinder maintenance program

Just as you'd want a trained expert to inspect your car, trust the trained experts at Edmonton Valve & Fitting to inspect your cylinder assemblies. This year we have introduced our Cylinder Maintenance Program as one of our quality assurance services.

We will visually inspect your cylinders and any related assemblies, using a micrometer on the cylinder itself to ensure that the cylinder has not been deformed and is still within tolerance to operate safely under pressure. In our experience, sample cylinders tend to last a long time, but we have seen some instances of thread damage and rust or corrosion.

We'll assess the conditions of threads, needle valves, rupture disc valves, and fittings. When we're done, we'll write up a report for you, with detailed pictures of our findings. We'll make recommendations and, if you like, make repairs and tests.

Sample cylinders and their corresponding components all have a lifespan. This service is a great way to inspect these components to ensure they fall within certain safety parameters and guidelines.

All you have to do is decide how often you'd like us to perform an inspection (every three years or so is typical). One of our associates can visit your site to begin the conversation of a suitable starting point. This service is tailored to each specific customer and what results they are looking to achieve. We are excited about this new program and teaming up even more with our customers to provide a safe and efficient work environment. 

Request more information on this service here. 

Additional resources:

• Cylinders Are a Must For Grab Sample Systems
• Sample Cylinder Assemblies Offer Flexibility
• Edmonton Valve's 5 Pillar Approach to Services

Stop at our booth on April 25 and 26 to check out Swagelok products and ask all the questions

For years Edmonton Valve has been a proud sponsor of the International Society of Automaton (ISA) Edmonton section. Come by and see us at booth #1032 to check out some of Swagelok's new offerings. 

One of North America’s largest automation events returns to Edmonton on April 25th and 26th: the ISA Automation Expo & Conference. Edmonton Valve & Fitting will be among the exhibitors at Edmonton Expo Centre. You can find us at our usual hangout booth 1032, to the far right of the first row as you enter the exhibit hall.

Lots of Swagelok to see

At our booth #1032 you can take a close look at several products, including our grab sample panels, variety of Swagelok hoses, and 60 Series Ball Valves. We even got our Custom Solutions department to make up an unique piece so make sure you stop by to see what it is!

And some of your favourite Swagelok account managers will be on-hand to ask your fluid system questions to - it's a great opportunity to get that one-on-one time. 

About AEC

The International Society of Automation Edmonton Section launched the expo back in 1980. For many years it was known as the ISA Exhibit & Conference. Aside from chance to see more than 175 exhibitors, the conference is an opportunity to network and collaborate with thousands of automation, instrumentation and control systems professionals from a diverse range of global industries including: petroleum, mining, power, water & wastewater, forestry, agriculture and more. Then there's the conference portion, featuring internationally renowned speakers and local experts.

We hope to see you there, doors open both days at 10am! And if you need more information, contact us!

For more on this topic, see:

• Edmonton Valve's Fresh Take on Giving Back to the Community: 
• Hose Flexibility: Edmonton Valve's Team Handles the Job In-House
• Your Checklist for Tubing Quality

Pick the size, end connections and materials that work best for you

Swagelok sample cylinders provide a leak-tight sample containment for your Grab Sample Systems. Download the catalogue below to find out more about our sample cylinder offerings.

In a Grab Sample Panel, the key element is the sample cylinder assembly. It's the vessel that allows you to transport a fresh liquid or vapor sample from the process line, held under the same process conditions (with the exception of temperature).

So let's take a look at your options when you order Swagelok cylinder assemblies from Edmonton Valve & Fitting.

Pick the right fit

Our cylinder assemblies are available in ten standard sizes, from 150 cm³ to 3,785 cm³. The standard assembly is designed for general use, but you can also get assemblies with an optional purge bypass tube.

Rupture discs are standard, or you can get cylinder assemblies with relief valves or expansion chambers.

Inside, the cylinder can have a PTFE coating, a SilcoNert coating, or electropolishing.

You have a wide choice of fittings. Many customers prefer a quick-connect fitting rather than a threaded fitting. It eliminates any rotation of the cylinder itself, so you don't have to worry about it catching on any other components. If you already have a grab sample panel with one type of fitting, it's easy and inexpensive to make the switch.

Expertise 

Remember, we're talking about assemblies, not just the cylinder alone. When you order from Edmonton Valve & Fitting, you know that well trained experts will assemble the components properly.

Every cylinder assembly goes through a hydro test. You tell us your specifications on pressure, and we'll document how the cylinder assembly performed.

We also offer etching. It's an easy way to keep track of what's in each cylinder.

Because we make the assemblies right here in Edmonton and have a well-stocked warehouse, we can usually turn around your order in a week or so. And you have only a single part number to deal with.

We're always glad to talk about sample cylinder assemblies or any other fluid system components and services. All it takes to start the conversation is a note to us through our website or a call to 780.437.0640.

Additional resources

• Grab Sample Modules Offer Speed and Flexibility
• Find out How Your Sample System Is Underperforming
• No Boring Days in Edmonton Valve's Custom Solutions Department

Here's a chance to get your hands on some of our products in Fort McMurray

Stop by booth 3317 at the 2017 Oil Sands Trade Show and Conference to see your local Swagelok associates and learn about our product offerings. You can register to attend the show for free by using code OST2K.

We'll be on hand to show off some of our Swagelok components, as well as the skills of our Custom Solutions department in creating various assemblies.

While Swagelok made its name with tube fittings, the company also makes many larger scale products for process piping, typically anything with less than a two-inch diameter. Take a look at some of our flanges and valves at our booth.

Then let us show you our grab sample modules. We've written about them before on our blog. You'll get a chance to see the various options in person, twist some handles and otherwise satisfy your curiosity.

If you don't feel like conversation, we'll have some videos to watch too.

Where to find us

You can find us in the Turnarounds & Maintenance Zone, look for booth 3317 in Hall C. Account Manager Andrew Worthington will be in the booth so you can find a knowledgeable fluid system expert any time from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on September 12th and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on September 13th.

It's one thing to look at our products online. It's another to physically put your hands on it and have a face-to-face conversation with someone who knows the product well.

So stop by, say hello, and gather some free information and expertise from your Swagelok experts. Register to attend the show for free using code OST2K.

Additional resources

• Grab Sample Modules Offer Speed and Flexibility
• VN01: A Space-Saving Valve For Severe Service
• Keep Your Sampling Systems At Peak Performance

In a hurry or have a question? Please click here to get in touch - we respond fast! Or call 780.437.0640.

Our two-day Sample System Maintenance Course will cover operations and troubleshooting

Teaching you to trouble shoot a variety of common sampling system issues, from the process line through sample disposal. Join this two-day course on November 14th and 15th, 2017, sign up now to attend.

Your analytical instrumentation system can't give reliable results unless you give it a reliable sample of the fluid in your process line. Assuming the sample is properly taken at the tap, it may fall victim to a host of problems:

• Deadlegs or dead spaces that create a “static leak,” where fluid from an old sample might bleed or leak into the new sample
• Contamination, permeation, or adsorption
• A phase change that upsets the balance of chemicals
• A chemical reaction

The most common cause of inappropriate response is a simple delay. If it's taking more than one minute from tap to analyzer, you may have problems.

How can you work to prevent problems and fix those that do appear? Take our two-day Sample System Maintenance Course.  We've scheduled it for November 14 and 15 at our brand new training center.

The basics and more

Leading the course this year is Swagelok expert Stephen Jacobs, owner and president of Jacobs Process Analytics Inc. Over more than 25 years he has designed, installed and maintained hundreds of analyzer and sampling systems for applications ranging from safety monitoring to closed-loop process control.

We start out by reviewing sampling basics: Why you take samples and how to take them properly.

Sampling systems come in a variety of designs, especially when you compare those designed to handle liquids and those designed to handle gas. We will look at all types of systems, the typical best practices and the typical mistakes that people make. That starts with the system design itself, making sure that it uses the proper size of tubing, proper filters and other components.

The goal is to send you back to your company with enough knowledge to walk through your systems and spot problem areas.

You'll spend time taking lecture notes, but you'll also get your hands on the equipment. We'll put students into groups and give them some problems to solve from real-life case studies. We'll explain the issue, and then it will be up to the teams to discover the cause and come up with a solution. Each group will then present its project to the rest of the class. 

Lunch too

We'll provide all the materials you need, including a workbook you can take home with you. Those who pass the course also will go home with a certificate of completion. We'll even serve you lunch on both days.

But we have a limited number of seats. That's why we're letting you know so far in advance. Mark your calendar now and sign up today.

Additional resources

• New Classes Offer Hands-On Training For IPT Fittings
• What a Smart Idea: A Sampling System with a Brain

In a hurry or have a question? Please click here to get in touch - we respond fast! Or call 780.437.0640.

Here's a chance to get your hands on some of our products in June

Stop by booth 1076 at the 2017 Global Petroleum Show to see your local Swagelok associates and learn about our product offerings. You can register to attend the show for free until June 5th!

June is almost here, and that means it's time again for the annual Global Petroleum Show, running from June 13 through 15 in Calgary. We'll be on hand to show off some of our Swagelok components, as well as the skills of our Custom Solutions department in creating various assemblies.

For instance you can see our Tap To Transmitter assembly, a collection of Swagelok process instrumentation components that includes a transmitter to send data back to the control room. The entire assembly can be built locally for you by your authorized Swagelok distributor.

You also can check out our rotating seal panels. The biggest single cause of pump failure is the shaft seal, responsible for 39 percent of all failures. And the average shaft seal costs about $5,000. Multiply that by the number of pumps on site, and you can see that it pays to keep those seals lubricated so that they'll last longer. We can create panels to do the job. Take a look when you visit our booth and we'll be glad to answer any questions about them.

While Swagelok made its name with tubing and tube fittings, the company also makes many larger scale products for process piping, typically anything with more than a two-inch diameter. Take a look at some of our flanges and valves at our booth.

Then let us show you our grab sample modules. We've written about them before on our blog. You'll get a chance to see the various options in person, twist some handles and otherwise satisfy your curiosity.

If you don't feel like conversation, we'll have some videos to watch too.

Where to find us

If you've been to the Global Petroleum Show before, you'll find us in exactly the same spot. If it's your first time, look for booth 1076, right inside the doors of Hall A. We'll have 16 people manning the booth in shifts, so you will find a knowledgeable fluid system expert any time from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the first two days, and until 5 p.m. on the third day.

We do our best to have some senior representatives in the booth at all times, so you can have a serious conversation and expect to come away with some solid information. If we can't answer your question on the spot, we'll get your contact information and get back to you as soon as we can.

It's one thing to look at our products online. It's another to physically put your hands on it and have a face-to-face conversation with someone who knows the product well.

So stop by, say hello, and gather some free information and expertise from your Swagelok experts. Register to attend the show before June 5^th and the registration fee is waived.

Additional resources

• Grab Sample Modules Offer Speed and Flexibility
• VN01: A Space-Saving Valve For Severe Service
• Find out How Your Sample System Is Underperforming

In a hurry or have a question? Please click here to get in touch - we respond fast! Or call 780.437.0640.

When pressure isn't an issue, bottles simplify sample collection and transport

A liquid-only sampling system (GSL) can be used in a number of liquid applications where the process fluid is not at risk of fractionating or evaporating when stored at atmospheric pressure. If you'd like to find more about all of grab sampling offering download this free Grab Sampling PDF.

While cylinders provide a great way to transport samples for lab analysis, they aren't always necessary. Swagelok’s Grab Sample Liquid sampling system offers an alternative closed-loop system for use with low vapor-pressure liquids. If you have a non-hazardous environment, this system is easy to manage.

System media can be drawn and transported without the risk of spillage or evaporation, thanks to the bottle with its self-sealing septum cap. The bottles are a lower-cost collection option that can be replaced easily when needed. Bottles can even be disposable if circumstances require.

Fixed-volume samplers are an option that can improve safety. This option completely separates the process pressure from the sample bottle and, by extension, the user. They prevent over-filling and overpressure conditions.

Low-emission sampler

All Swagelok GSL systems use Sentry Equipment’s Model MVS low-emission sampler to draw liquid or slurry into the bottle. The MVS features an easily replaceable dual-needle system and a spring-return handle to prevent unintentional dispensing. This non-coring needle punctures the septum without coring it, allowing for full resealing of the septum when the sample bottle is removed. The tapered bottle shroud enables proper septum and needle alignment, preventing accidental spillage or needle breakage.

Dead volume is minimized thanks to a close-coupled ball valve.

No excuses

When visiting plants, our representatives have seen some odd makeshift methods of collecting samples, even the use of tire bladders filled right from the pipeline. Remember, for your lab analysis to have any value, you need a representative sample of the fluid in your system. There's no excuse for cutting corners. 

No matter what kind of sampling system you need, Edmonton Valve & Fitting can help you. Contact us through our website or by calling 780-437-0640, and one of our representatives can help you select the right components and configuration.

Additional resources

• Grab Sample Modules Offer Speed and Flexibility
• Cylinders Are a Must For Grab Sample Systems
• Operational Best Practices for Swagelok’s Grab Sample Stations

We have standard designs, and can customize them to meet your needs

Pictured above is the Grab Sample Module with purge, this is one of the standard grab sampling systems offered by Edmonton Valve & Fitting.

Grab sampling provides a safe and reliable way to collect a representative gas or liquid sample from pipelines, tanks, or systems, and transport it to the lab for analysis.

Placing the sample in an open bottle for transport isn't a good practice. Some chemicals will evaporate or fractionate if the sample isn't extracted and kept under pressure. A good grab sample system will put it in pressure-containing metal cylinders.

To help safeguard an operator, a dual needle design with a spring return delivery valve delivers the sample only when a bottle is seated and vented appropriately.

The best part about Swagelok grab sample modules is that we build them right here at Edmonton Valve & Fitting. We have some standard configurations available, but you also have the option to modify the layouts to suit your needs. They can even be put into Nema-4X enclosures if the customer wants the module to be kept outside. We can help you figure out what design will work best for you. We know where the grab sample modules fit into the overall systems.We know how to make the necessary pressure-drop calculations and figure out the time delays to know how the instruments will affect the process. If you need a cooler in the module (recommended when the supply temperature exceeds 60ºC) we know how to select the appropriate size for your application.

What's inside

The modules use our 40 Series ball valves to direct flow. They are geared together so that you get single-handle operation when you need to switch from "off" to "sample" or "vent." We have both two-valve and three-valve configurations available.

There's a purge option for chemicals that may leave a resident or contaminate lines if not flushed from the system. The purge option allows you to introduce air, solvent or other fluid to clean the lines.

If you need a flowmeter, relief valves, check valves or expansion chambers, we can add them with no fuss. (We put the whole assembly into an enclosure, and you can choose whether you'd like the tubing on the front or in the back.

Our standard material in building grab sample modules is 316 stainless steel, but we can use brass and alloy for some configurations. Electropolished tubing is available, improving the surface finish of the tube to allow for a quicker response to certain reactive chemicals. We also offer the option of coatings such as SilcoNert, Solcolloy and Dursan.

And we can offer a single CRN number for the complete assembly.

If you want your analytical instrumentation system to give a reliable picture of the fluid in the process line, you need a good sample. With a grab sample module from Edmonton Valve & Fitting, you are off to a good start.

Tell us what you need for your sample system (through our website or by calling 780.437.0640) and we can start working on a Grab Sample Module configuration that's right for you.

Additional resources

• Cylinders Are a Must For Grab Sample Systems
• Find out How Your Sample System Is Underperforming
• Hose Flexibility: Edmonton Valve’s Team Handles the Job In-house