Q |
I wonder if you can explain me very briefly what is
ASTM code.
B. Fernandez - Venezuela |
R |
Organized in 1898, ASTM (the American society for Testing and
Materials is one of the largest voluntary standards development
organizations in the world. ASTM develops standard test methods,
specifications, practices, classifications, guides and terminology
in 130 areas covering subjects such as metals, paints, plastics,
textiles, petroleum, contruction, energy, electronics and many others.
As far as we know, more than 10000 ASTM standards are published
each year in almost 73 volumes of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards
which you can find in any specialized bookstore. |
Q |
We are stockists and fittings suppliers in the UAE. We do regularly
purchase your products. I take this occasion to thank you for
your services and prompt technical assistance.
I did notice that most of our suppliers have not implemented ISO
9000 certification in their system. So, I need to ask you if ISO
standards are mandatory regulation for the oil and gas industry
supply and services.
Thanks in advance for your highlights.
G. Ibrahim - PETROIND SERVICES Co Ltd - UAE |
R |
Dear Ibrahim
Thanks for contacting us - As far as we are acquainted ISO standards
are voluntary. ISO in itself does not regulate or legislate. Although
voluntary, ISO standards may become a market necessity, as has happened
in the case of ISO 9000 Quality Management System.
We believe, on the bottom line, ISO standards are established to
add value to all type of business operations. They contribute to
making manufacture and supply of products and services more efficient,
safer and eco-freindly in today's polluted world. |
Q |
Congratulations for your website. May I ask two questions:
1. Why the usage of different type of O-rings is mandatory in
the design of Alfa isolation joints ?
2. How do I need to interpret the concept of sealing pressure
in an isolation joint design ?
M. Delmonte - Chicago- USA |
R |
Thanks for your technical queries - There are some important factors
to take into account for selecting the type of O-rings in the design
and construction of Alfa isolation joints, which basically depends
on the type of service and fluids related to the pipeline project.
In any sealing application, correct O-rings selection is the result
of a number of design considerations including dimensions, chemical
compatibility and the ability to resist pressure and temperatures
extremes.
Sealing pressure is the force exerted by compression of the seal
between the mating surfaces forming the gland itself and external
forces (i.e. the fluid being sealed) transmitted through the seal.
A physical barrier is formed, when the force from compressing the
seal and pressure applied by the fluid being sealed, causes the
seal to fill all leak paths.
Hope our reply is as clear as were your questions. |
Q |
Which practice shall I need to follow for a correct welding procedure
of flat bottom plate storage tanks made of Cs steel plate ?
Thanks for your reply.
L. Martin - Jeddah - Saudi Arabia |
R |
Suggest that you look to API 650 standard - It contains design,
installation and testing of flat bottomed tanks.
Regret not to be much of help - We do not have close expertise about
storage tanks. |
Q |
I noticed that encapsulated O-Rings are frequently stated in your
product data sheet. What's the purpose of using encapsulated O-Rings
in the design and construction of Alfa isolation joints when subject
to medium and high pressure services ?
M. Kearney - Singapore |
R |
Dear Mark
Thanks for your question - Encapsulated O-Rings combine the quality
of Teflon with Viton or Silicon rubber.
The outer jacket of Teflon-FEP protects the resilient core from
the attack of virtually all chemicals - The rubber core is totally
shielded by Teflon-FEP and such unique combination enables encapsulated
O-Rings to provide maximum protection against leaks in a wide range
of sealing applications - The Viton or Silicon rubber core provides
an exceptionally good resistance to compression set, even at high
temperatures and pressures. |
Q |
Sometimes, I get confused about how to explain the difference
between a typical certification and actual certification for welding
consumables which you frequently provide us with your vendor data
book. Can you explain me how stands the difference ?
S. Palmer - Dubai |
R |
Dear Simon
Many thanks for your e.mail.
A typical certificate states that the material or consumables will
fall within the fixed chemical/mechanical limits of the designated
specification - The actual certification states that each element
in the designated specification was tested in strict compliance
with such specification and is certified as such. |
Q |
What's the significance of "Quality" in your organization
?
Z. Ashai - Mumbai - India |
R |
Dear Zaid
Thanks for your question.
Quality is that aspect of our product or service which our customers
most want - Most of our customers do not buy only the product -
They're buying our assurances that their expectation for that specific
requirement or need is met without any default. This is the guideline
how our quality management system is fixed and ruled. The knowledge
of Quality goes beyond these few lines reply - As asked, we will
send you the documentation about how to achieve continuous improvement
on Quality Management and about statistics fundamentals. |
Q |
Where can I find information on the allowable shear stress for
different weld materials ? - Hope you can help me.
D. Patrick - Abu Dhabi |
R |
You can look in the AWS codes and standards. AWS publishes voluminous
material on this subject. The AISC Steel Manual and more precisely
ASD for allowable stresses can be of great help to you. |
Q |
Can I carry out air pressure test in a PE fitting ?
B. George - Abu Dhabi |
R |
No, unless the procedure being used has been explicitly approved
by the manufacturer of the PE fitting being tested. As you may know,
compressed air contains a large amount of stored energy that could
present a serious safety hazard should the PE fitting fails for
any reason - We suggest you contact your supplier. |
Q |
How is corrosion formed ?
N. Bowden - Damascus - Syria |
R |
Corrosion is an electrochemical process which occurs when the
following elements are present; an anode which gives up electrons,
a cathode which receives them, an electrolyte and a metallic current
path - The rate at which corrosion is formed depends on the electric
potential between the anodic and cathodic areas, the pH of the electrolyte,
the ambient temperature, and the water and oxygen available for
chemical reactions. |
Q |
Can we order isolation joints not listed in your catalogue ?
S. Shwartz - Belgium |
R |
You order is always welcome at Alfa - We will be happy to help
you with any questions you may have regarding your specific need
and project requirements.
The sizes and classes in our catalogue are listed due their frequency
of request and are not meant as a capacity range. Alfa isolation
joints are manufactured up to DN 90" and ratings ANSI 150-300-400-600-900-1500-2500
and API 10000. |
Q |
What is crude oil and how much oil is there ? Is there any risk
to run out ?
Leekpai - Bangkok |
R |
Though your question lies outside our normal disciplines, we will
try to clarify the point. We call the oil in the ground "crude
oil" because it has to go through a manufacturing process called
"refining" to turn into the valuable products we normally
use - Those products include gasolines to run our cars, diesel fuel
for trucks and trains, jet fuel for planes and heating oil for warming.
While the world holds only a limited supply of oil, we are not in
any danger of running out any time soon. It's estimated that the
earth could hold as much as 2.1 trillion barrels of crude oil -
enough to supply the planet need for the next 90 years or so, certainly
far beyond any meaningful planning horizon. In fact, though we are
using more oil, we are also finding more. New technologies make
that possible - So we are not going to just run dry any time soon. |
