Description
An integrated steel mill has all the functions for primary steel production: iron making (conversion of ore to liquid iron), steelmaking (conversion of pig iron to liquid steel), casting (solidification of the liquid steel), roughing rolling/billet rolling (reducing size of blocks).In many hydraulics systems, inflexible or rigid pipes or tubes are used to transfer energy-generating liquid between different components to form a complete hydraulic circuit. Pipes and tubes can be rigid in order to bridge small amounts of space in a controlled manner. For instance, in a hydraulic circuit contained within a small casing, there is no extra room for piping, so the connections must be rigid and contained within the casing. Some hydraulic circuits have much more liberal space accommodations or even require connection flexibility to facilitate faster replacement or range of motion operations. For example, many construction machines have external, flexible hydraulic hose connections so the tools are free to move.
A number of standards exist for hydraulic hose production and use. Standards govern industry connection specifications and hose material, as well as guide installation operations.
Basic Hydraulic Hose Construction
The basic construction involves three layers. These layers help maintain a consistent and reliable flow of liquid while protecting the overall assembly from breaking down as a result of wear or abrasion.
- Inner tube: The inner tube is designed to be compatible with the liquid it carries, allowing both free-flowing elasticity and pressure-resistant stress bearing. This tube is often made from thermoplastic or synthetic rubbers.
- Reinforcement layer: This layer surrounds the inner tube and is composed of a coiled or braided wire. This set up supports the tubing while protecting against tears.
Types of Hydraulic Hose Construction
Due to the variety of hydraulic hose applications and the range of chemicals and pressures they will be subjected to, there are likewise a number of hydraulic hose constructions.
- Reinforced: This type of hosing resembles the basic three-layer construction, but with extra buffers in the reinforcement layer, most often in the form of textile braid, wire braid, or wire helix material around the inner tube.
- Coiled: Coiled hoses are semi-rigid hoses designed for expansion and easy storing. Because the hose is coiled, it can stretch in such a way that does not put unnecessary pressure on the hose materials.
- Corrugated: Another method of increasing expansion and flexibility in a hose is to introduce corrugation. Corrugation manifests as small threads or folds in the material of the hose, somewhat like an accordion, that allow the hose to expand and compress without damaging the housing.
- Articulated: Articulated hoses are hoses built in sections, with rigid shafts connected by flexible joints. The articulation allows hoses to turn corners or swivel around other components.
- Multi-element: Hoses that involve multiple elements listed above are termed “multi-element hoses.”
Hydraulic Hose Compatibility: Liquids
There are three main kinds of liquid that will pass through a hydraulic hose in steel Plants. These include:
· Petroleum oil
· Synthetic oil
· Liquid with a high-water content
Most hydraulic hoses are capable of transporting petroleum oil and liquids with high-water contents, but synthetic oils require dedicated hose materials. Compatibility ratings are generally available from the manufacturer or from resource literature.
Hydraulic Hose Compatibility: Temperature
Hydraulic hoses are exposed to two temperature concerns: internal liquid temperature and external working temperature. As a result, hoses are rated for performance in terms of both temperatures, with a maximum and minimum functioning temperature rating. Exceeding these ratings can result in severely reduced working life or even failure, so it is pertinent to use a hose that is properly rated to both the liquid temperature and the environment temperature.
Application Types
With the above considerations about hose performance, it is also important to understand other application necessities for hydraulic hoses. Because pipes and tubes are generally more rigid, they can handle higher temperature or internal pressure in a given application. However, this increased rigidity makes them much more difficult to use in a moving operation. For instance, a construction digger requires a hydraulic system to operate a digging tool, but the freedom of movement needed to operate the tool can place limitations on hydraulic connections. A hydraulic pipe can allow torque, flexibility and elasticity in tool arm movement that is unavailable with tubes or pipes.
