Hammer Union Presentation
Hammer Union Presentation
Hammer Union Presentation
Do you know :
what are Weco Unions and who makes them? what are the Dowell Standards? of the potentially fatal hazards? how to eliminate the hazards?
connectors for temporary pipe and flow lines installations. FMC acquired the original Weco company, in the 1950s. The design is old, and manufactured many companies. used in steel and chemical plants, on marine dredging vessels, in strip mines, and in the oil industry. designated by the nominal pipe diameter and a Fig number i.e. 2 1502.
Dowell Standards
602
1002
1502
2002 2202
20,000 15,000
15,000
Nominal Pipe Sizes (dia - inches) 2, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 Potentially Fatal 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4 Combinations 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 2, 2, 3, 4 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 2, 3, 4, 5 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4 2,3 2, 2, 3
.
1502
A 2 1502 Wing Nut will make up to a 2 602 or 1002 thread half and will hold some pressure ! However it will fail explosively.
o o o 2 1502 Wing Nut 4 1/8 Nominal Thread Diameter 3 Threads per Inch Standard Acme 2G Thread Form 2 1502 Wing Nut 2 602, or 1002 Female Sub
o 3 13/16 Nominal Thread Diameter o 3 Threads per Inch o Stub Acme 2G Thread Form
Prevention
Destroy 2 602 & 1002 Weco unions or old Guiberson Unions found in your operation. When there is uncertainty
(Connecting to other companies equipment)
Use the Go No-Go Gage to be sure you have a 1502 Thread Half (Female Sub)
Order from Wood Machine - Tulsa Fax : 918-437-0007 Dowell P/N 47990000
No Go
2 1502
Go
2 602/1002
Prevention
Find the Identification Markings Wing Nut Here
(2 1502)
on the
Recap
Suppliers
o There are many suppliers
(use only FMC)
The Hazards
o A 2 1502 Wing Nut will attach to a 2 602 or 1002 Thread Half and hold limited pressure, but will fail explosively. o Off brands may not hold rated pressure (use only FMC). o Beware of old Guiberson connections. o Do not mix FR and non FR Wing Nut (Male Ends)
Prevention
o Use only 2 1502 unions by FMC, in good condition. o Check before you connect : o Use the Go No-Go Gage to insure a 2 1502 thread half. o Look for 2 1502 on the Wing Nut.
Optional Slides
This 1998 IADC Safety Alert followed a fatal accident on a drilling rig in the USA Gulf of Mexico.
Safety Alert
ALERT 98-1
A drill crew was drilling ahead when a third party pressure sensor attached to the stand pipe stopped working. The sensor was made up to the standpipe with a size "602" hammer union rated at 6,000 psi working pressure. The crew removed the faulty sensor and replaced it. The hammer union on the new pressure sensor had a size "1502" wing nut rated to 15,000 psi. The "1502" female threads in the wing nut appeared completely made up to the "602" male threads coming off the standpipe. The mud pumps were engaged and drilling operations resumed. As the mud pump pressure increased, no leaks were detected. Then, at approximately 2,000 psi, the pressure sensor and "1502" wing nut were blown off the standpipe. Fortunately, no one was struck by the projectile or the ensuing stream of drilling fluid. Approximately one barrel of oil-based mud was sprayed on the rig floor before the mud pumps were secured and the standpipe was isolated. The mishap was considered an environmental incident and a significant near miss, which could have resulted in serious injury or death. After investigating the incident, operator offered the following suggestions: 1.Only unions with like threads should be made up. Although mismatched threads may appear made up (as they did in this case), only a portion of the threads are engaged and the union will fail under pressure. 2.Both halves of the union should have the same pressure rating. 3.All pressure lines should be inspected to ensure there are no mismatched unions.
This material is presented for information purposes only. Managers & supervisors should evaluate this information to determine if it can be applied to their own situations and practices. From : http://iadc.org/alerts/sa98-1.htm