Steam hoses and steam fittings
Steam hoses – general information
Although the age of steam passed many years ago with steamships and steam locomotives, steam is still one of the most important media in the industry and power generation. It is used for generating electrical energy in power plants, for heating (power steam – district heating, heating of industrial equipment e.g. wood drying, vulcanization of rubber products), as a heat carrier in industrial processes (process steam – dyeing fabrics, in laundries, moulding of plastic products), for food processing in the food industry (clean steam), for sterilization, for air humidification in cleanrooms, for cleaning industrial equipment and machinery in various industries.
In steam systems, steam flows through rigid piping – steam lines. When flexible connections are required, flexible steam hoses are used.
Use the following hoses to transfer steam:
- special rubber steam hoses;
- steel hoses;
- PTFE hoses;
Steel and PTFE hoses are primarily used in devices and machines where both ends of a flexible hose assembly are mounted in the machine (predictable motion of the hose assembly enforced by the running machine). Rubber steam hoses are usually used as longer multi-metre hose assemblies for manual handling. This is due to the higher resistance of rubber hoses to external operating conditions and cost efficiency (expensive, special fittings for rubber steam hoses, cheaper rubber hose; expensive steel or PTFE hose, cheaper fittings for these hoses).
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FAQ – Steam hoses and steam fittings
Rubber hoses for steam can be used for hot water with a maximum temperature of about 90 ÷ 100ºC, unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer.
For steam hoses, use fittings designed and intended for steam. EN 14423 standard is the most popular. There are special steam safety clamps made to the same standard, intended for this type of fittings. The fittings permanently crimped with ferrules must not be used for rubber steam hoses. This type of mounting does not allow the clamp to be retightened over the lifespan of the hose, and as the rubber gradually loses its elastic properties, can lead to leakage or even catastrophic rupture of the fitting from the hose. The fittings can be crimped with ferrules only when attached to PTFE hoses. For steel hoses, welded fittings are used.
Steam hoses can be used on hose reels provided that the appropriate operating procedures are followed. Before this set is used, the hose must be completely unwound. It is also important to check the condition of the hose periodically and make sure that the safety clamps are tight. During operation, the drum may become very hot, so care must be taken to ensure operator safety.
Only hoses specifically designed for oily environments can be used in such conditions. It must be clearly indicated in the product specification that the outer layer of the hose is oil resistant. If the hose is manufactured according to EN ISO 6134 standard, make sure that the hose class is specified as ‘B’. Class ‘A’ hoses are not resistant to oily environments.
Rubber steam hoses should be drained after each use. Condensate remaining in the hose may be absorbed by the inner layer of the hose wall. When the hose is reheated, the condensate transforms into steam and expands damaging the inner layer (‘popcorning’ effect). If the condensate comes into contact with the steel braid, it can cause corrosion and severe deterioration of the hose structure.