FTM - Fluid Transfer Management Program

Hydraulic systems transfer their fluids through a circuit that is primarily composed of hoses and tubing. Flow Products International (FPI) has created the Fluid Transfer Management Program (FTM) to assist our clients and customers to manage these fluid transfer components throughout the life cycle of a hydraulic system from the design stage through the disposal stage. This program is a sub-component of our F.I.V.E. Program.

This requires that the client be able to track the age and condition at each stage in the life cycle to include design, manufacturing, commissioning, operations, decommissioning, and disposal. FPI has a method to track these stages.

Example of Fluid Transfer Components Designed, Manufactured, and Installed by Flow Products International

Through database tracking, the Fluid Transfer Management Program (FTM) inventories and records the pedigree of each hose and tube by components and location for the customer. This tracking allows FPI to easily identify the components, know their birth date, analyze their function, and then reproduce them at will. If you will continue, we will explain how this can benefit your company.

Hoses

Hoses are the most vulnerable of all the  components in a fluid transfer circuit. When used as a jumper to connect a working pump to a tubing system and the tubing system to a hydraulic motor, accumulator or valve the hose is subjected to:

Constant pressure pulsations from the pump. Flexing during the transmission of power to the motor mounts. Direct sunlight UV rays. Act as an inline accumulator by the rapid demands from the operator of the valves. Corrosion constantly attacking the hose ends and connectors. (See: Corrosion) Corrosive elements of the process that attack the rubber hose. Inadequate hose radius stresses. Wearing and rubbing. Plugging by debris. Damaged hose covers. And, the hose is often simply torn off the circuit by some mechanical force.

This is why the Coast Guard recommends changing the hoses every 18 to 24 months: however, this may be too long. You may have to take earlier action but how do you know? Our Fluid Transfer Management (FTM) Program allows you to know the exact age of the hose. If the replacement cycle is less than normal, a quick look at installation dates can let you make better decisions.

To implement the FTM Program, FPI will inventory and inspect every hose in a system and:

• Determine the operating pressure of the hose.

• Examine the type of service that can hazard a hose.

• Catalog the type, diameter and length of each hose.

• Catalog each hose end.

• Record the required crimp specifications.

• Photograph the assembly.

• Assign a unique identification number for the hose in a database and/or attach an RFID device to the hose.

• And, track the assembly through an online database.

Having accomplished this, FPI can then assess the assembly and offer guidance as to the suitability of the components to perform the demanded task. There are three possible options the hose will meet. (1) Substandard for the task,  (2) acceptable to the task, or (3) over engineered for the task. We feel it is important for the client to plan for scheduled substandard hoses, recognize adequate components, and possibly reduce costs by selecting a lower cost hose if over engineered. This is the first step to creating a Fluid Transfer Management Program (FTM).

When the FTM has identified each hose, we can identify an exact application hose and:

• Track the time a hose assembly has been in service.

• Schedule replacement hoses.

• Prefabricate scheduled hose replacements with accuracy.

• Upon a failure we can generate a replacement hose on demand in a short time to reduce downtime.

In a time of crisis, knowing the age, composition, and components of a hose assembly will dramatically increase your ability to make a better decision.

Tubing

Tubing assemblies are much more robust than hose assemblies. however, an operator must be aware that tube assemblies have life-cycle limitations also. As strong as they are, they are still subject to:

Constant pressure pulsations from the pump. Flexing due to rapid demands from the operator of the valves. Corrosion constantly attacking the tube and connectors. Even stainless steel will corrode under certain conditions. Bracket corrosion is very damaging. Corrosive elements of the process that attack the interior of the tube. And sometimes the tube is bent or torn off by some mechanical force.

There is no standard rule of thumb for tube life; however, there will be a limit to the total life cycle. You may have to take action and replace the tubing at some point? Our Fluid Transfer Management Program (FTM) allows you to know the exact age of the tube assembly. If the replacement cycle is less than expected, a quick look at installation dates can let you make better decisions.

To implement the FTM Program, FPI will inventory and inspect every tube in a system and:

Determine the operating pressure of the tube. Examine the type of service that can hazard a tube. Catalog the type, diameter and length of each tube. Catalog each fitting and adaptor. Record the required flair specifications. Photograph the assembly. Assign a unique identification number for the tube in a database and/or attach an RFID device to the tube. And, track the tube life-cycle assembly through an online database.

Having accomplished this, FPI can then assess the tube assemblies and offer guidance as to the suitability of the components to perform the demanded task. There are three possible options the tube will meet. (1) Substandard for the task,  (2) acceptable to the task, or (3) over engineered for the task. We feel it is important for the client to plan for scheduled substandard tubes, recognize adequate components, and possibly reduce costs by selecting a lower cost tube if over engineered. This is the first step to creating a Fluid Transfer Management Program (FTM).

When the FTM Program has identified each tube, we can identify an exact application and:

• Track the time a tube assembly has been in service.

• Schedule replacement tubes.

• Prefabricate scheduled tube replacements with accuracy.

• Upon a failure we can generate a replacement tube on demand in a short time to reduce downtime.

FTM Program Application

When Flow Products International is invited to join in the component selection and manufacturing of a system we can add other services to assure reliability:

• Proper hose and tube composition selection for the task.

• Cleaning and pigging of the interior of the hoses and tubes.

• Superior attachment of the hose ends and tube fittings.

• Perform the proper flushing of the components to avoid manufacturing contamination and minimize the particle count.

• Pressure testing.

• Nitrogen purging of the finished hose and tubes to remove internal moisture.

• And adding proper caps for shipping.

In a time of crisis, knowing the age, composition, and components of a hose or tube assembly will dramatically increase your ability to make a better decision and reduce downtime.

We can add knowledge to your fluid transfer component management.