Global aspirations for homegrown gas-pressure regulator

2nd August 2013

By: Joanne Taylor

  

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Welding, cutting and gas products and services company African Oxygen Limited (Afrox) launched a technologically advanced gas-pressure regulator, the Smoothflo regulator, in South Africa last month.

The regulator embodies innovative features and represents years of research and develop-ment investment. It will soon be launched in Europe, North America and Australia.

“This is a truly South African developed, designed and engineered product, manufactured locally to global standards, which set new heights in the global gas-pressure regulator market,” said Afrox product manager for gas equipment Lourens le Roux at the launch, held in Sandton.

The regulator incorporates all the elements of modern technology and safety features demanded by the mining, fabrication, manufacturing, shipbuilding, railways and automotive industries.

One of its features is its break-off inlet stem, which is designed to ensure that, should a cylinder and regulator be impacted by a fall, the high-performing excess-flow valve will automatically and safely seal off gas discharge from the cylinder into the atmosphere.

Other safety features include a piston-embedded safety valve that eliminates the need for a diaphragm. Piston-driven technology produces excellent pressure stability at higher flow rates, allowing the operator to achieve greater gas-cutting speeds.

The ability to go from zero to maximum operating pressure in just three turns reduces the amount of set-up time required. The mirror configuration of the Smoothflo regulator prevents hose overlap and reduces the potential risk of oxygen and acetylene fires.

The patented design of the panel-mounted gauges improves the safety and reduces potential pressure-gauge damage. The outer casing of the gas-pressure regulator is manufactured from a robust impact-resistant and fire-retardant nylon-based material and affords ultimate pressure-gauge protection.

A lever-activated encapsulated valve, with Dynamic Quadflow Stability Control technology, offers a high level of pressure stability and reduces internal forces for improved performance and extended life of the regulator.

In addition, the outer casing serves as a tamperproof feature, since any attempts to tamper with the gauges or regulator components would be evident.

“One of the most exciting features of this new hybrid product is the fact that multistage performance is achieved from a single-stage regulator,” said Le Roux.

The Smoothflo incorporates new technology in the encapsulated valve, harnessing the principle of mechanical advantage, in conjunction with piston technology that replaces the conventional diaphragm. This is the first time that this combination of technologies has been applied to an industrial regulator, resulting in improved pressure stability across the entire working-pressure range.

The product is supported by more than 50 years of Afrox competency in designing gas equipment and is ISO:2503 and AS:4267 certified. The patented design has been oxygen-ignition tested by international inspection body Apragaz, and inspection experts TüV Rheinland South Africa witnessed the product certification.

“We’re proud to be a world-class technology exporter, rather than purely a product importer. “The latest offering to the world market follows in the wake of the thousands of Afrox Series 8500 multistage regulators being produced and exported by Afrox’s gas equipment factory every year,” concluded Afrox MD Brett Kimber.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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