5 Things To Think About When Choosing An Industrial Hose
The right hose is one that does not cause leaks, optimises an efficient flow speed, and is durable enough to contain and transport the intended medium. For industrial use, choosing the proper hose is even more important – especially when dealing with fluids that might be corrosive or subjected to extreme temperatures.
But with so many types of hoses on the market, how should you go about choosing the most suitable one? To help you narrow down the search, below we share five key factors to consider when selecting a hose for industrial use.
1. Medium
Medium refers to the substance to be transported in the hose. Different media would require different hose materials to withstand corrosion, extreme temperatures, and pressures or to uphold certain sanitary standards. For example, hoses for pharmaceuticals and food would need to meet specific regulations to ensure the safety of the products for users.
In addition to the medium, consider if other chemicals, like cleaning agents, will be used. If any corrosive materials – whether cleaning agents or the intended medium – will be used in the hose, opt for more corrosion-resistant materials like a Teflon hose or stainless steel hose.
2. Temperature
Two temperature conditions need to be considered: that of the medium and that of the surrounding environment. The inner lining of the hose must be suited to withstand the lowest and highest expected temperatures of the medium, while the outer covering of the hose needs to be robust enough to account for temperature fluctuations in the neighbouring environment.
Temperature fluctuations will also affect pressure and cause thermal expansion and contraction in the system. Besides thinking about how temperature will affect your industrial hose, consider equipping the other parts of your system with defences against temperature extremes and expansion, such as fabric expansion joints and vibration mounts.
3. Pressure
Industrial hoses come with a pressure rating that tells users how much pressure it is suited to bear. It would be best to always choose a pressure rating that gives some buffer above the maximum expected pressure in your system. Besides being affected by temperature, pressure also impacts flow rate and puts stress on the hose network. High-pressure hoses may require additional reinforcements around the inner ring, and this may affect the bending radius. Using a hose that is improperly equipped to withstand the expected pressure levels can result in reduced performance or, in the worst-case scenario, a burst.
4. Hose dimensions
A hose’s key dimensions include the diameter of its inner ring, outer diameter, length, and bending radius. The correct hose size is partly determined by the distance from point A to point B and the amount of space available in the room. However, hose sizing also affects pressure, flow rate, structural integrity, and more.
For example, a longer hose with a larger inner diameter will take a longer time to transport the same amount of fluid than a shorter, smaller hose. However, a hose that is too short may be arranged awkwardly, which compromises its structural strength. Having too many bends or too-sharp bends can also reduce structural integrity.
5. Hose end fittings
Ideally, it would help if you strived for a hose system that is as simple as possible while doing the job well. Every connection and end fitting is an additional area of risk for leaks and need for maintenance, despite the existence of couplings that are virtually leak-proof.
You should also ensure that your hose end fittings are compatible across adjacent parts, especially if you are replacing or adding hose fittings to an existing system. The same temperature, pressure, and sizing considerations go for selecting the right hose fittings. Ultimately, the appropriate hose couplings will go a long way in reducing wastage, preventing leaks, and improving the sustainability of your hose system.
Conclusion
Many considerations go into selecting the suitable hose for specific industrial use, but the safety, efficiency, and durability benefits will far outweigh the initial costs and concerns. Choosing the proper hose begins with understanding the needs and properties of your system, space, and what you will be transporting.
At Pharmchem Engineering, we will go a step further to provide tailor-made solutions for your industrial hose needs. We also supply pipe fittings and couplings for a comprehensive solution. If you need help selecting or sourcing specific industrial engineering components, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
