Thorium Energy Alliance Talk – Multi-Mate / De-Mate Fittings with Torque Elimination

This is the equipment and procedure used to determine the quantity and size of the particles shed into the process stream, due to galling, as a legacy metal face seal fitting is tightened. Objectives Compare standard metal face seal fitting with the OmniSafe torque suppression fitting over the following criteria: Examine the sealing surfaces of…

Multi Mate-Demate Record This report details a Multi mate/demate field study at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.  Over six years in service, this fitting was mate/demated 1557 times and was still working effectively when decommissioned. This evaluation shows the direct cost savings by avoiding the replacement of fittings that no longer passed leak check in this…

In the S.E.M. (top) the severe effects from over tightening on the sealing surfaces of a legacy face seal fitting are shown. In the S.E.M. (lower) using Omnisafe torque elimination, the seal area is not galled. One half turn past finger tight is a worst case scenario. At 5/8 turn past finger tight the gasket…

This is the cross sectional view of the Omnisafe fitting at finger tight (click to enlarge). The gap between the torque eliminators is the same as the gasket thickness (.028”). If the gasket is missing, the torque eliminators bottom out into a “fail safe” mode. This prevents torroid to torroid contact and destruction. The fitting…

This graph shows the installed cost of an Omnisafe vs the legacy metal face seal fitting. For either fitting, the purchase price is based on quantity. The additional labor cost of legacy fittings occur while trying to keep the components in alignment, undamaged, and leak tight during gas system assembly. Cost avoidance due to torque…

Tribology is the study of friction, lubrication, and wear. Formally defined, it is the science and technology of interacting surfaces in relative motion. A face seal fitting that transfers torque to the sealing surfaces during the compression that creates the seal, has a fundamental flaw. A tribological study of metal seals shows that this rotation…