| To enable
visual inspection of fluid flow, chemical reactions,
mixing and other operations, pipe lines, reactors and
many other types of process equipment are fitted with
sight glasses. Accidents resulting from failure of sight
glasses indicate that these components require special
attention. For this reason, users and suppliers have
long searched for new types of construction, which are
easy to install and insure safe and uninterrupted operation.
METAGLAS sight glasses
provide a solution. These mechanically prestressed
glasses, fused with a dimensionally adapted metal
frame - ring, constitute an alternative to conventionally
annealed or thermally prestressed (tempered) glass
discs. A principal advantage lies in the fact that
the possibility of sudden, unexpected rupture is totally
excluded and any crack that may develop at worst may
slightly affect visibility.
Rupture tests have
demonstrated that mechanically prestressed glass even
after formation of a large number of cracks remains
leak tight at pressures far exceeding the design pressure
due to the homogeneous compressive stress constant
throughout the entire cross section. This means, that
in the event a crack does occur, the equipment can
safely be kept on-stream. The glass in question need
not be replaced until after completion of the production
run.
In addition to the
unsurpassed pressure and impact resistance, the metal
frame provides rigidity to prevent breakage in the
event of uneven bolt tightening during installation.
In accordance with
safety criteria, METAGLAS sight windows have been
subjected to the most rigorous tests by specific testing
facilities in the chemical industry, and have subsequently
been incorporated in their design standards.
METAGLAS sight glasses
can be supplied for all mating faces (incl. ANSI,
DIN, B.S.).
Technical specifications
available on request.
|
