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Swagelok Gas Distribution Program

Improve safety and lower costs with our pressure control advisory services and gas distribution systems. Browse below and talk with us to learn more.

Overview

Gas distribution systems work to deliver gases from a high-pressure source to the facility at the pressure and flow rate required by each application. Most often built around one or a series of pressure regulation steps, gas distribution systems may have four typical subsystems: Source Inlet Connection, Primary Gas Pressure Control, Point-of-Use, and Automatic Changeover.

Swagelok's Gas Distribution Program is designed to help you:

  • Reduce costs by avoiding leakage and unplanned maintenance
  • Increase uptime and improve process accuracy and repeatability
  • Ensure the safety and well-being of system operators and others
  • Focus your time and resources where they are needed most
Please browse the tabs here and talk with us for details. We can discuss your situation, provide a quote, talk details, and more.
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Often there are four subsystems: source inlet connection, primary gas pressure control, point-of-use, and automatic changeover. Here are the subsystems in an example lab.

Problem

Overlooked gas distribution system issues can result not only in loss of gases, but also in lost process efficiency, downtime, or safety hazards. When system operation is not intuitive, when leaks are a concern, or when your gas panels are difficult to service, it is time to take action to avoid compounding costs.

Specific problems could include:

  • Lab and reliability managers are not confident site gases will be delivered safely and with minimal leak potential
  • Engineering and design managers face a multi-step process to procure components needed and then implement onsite
  • Operations and analytical managers must react quickly to problems with instruments critical to continuous gas supply
  • Process accuracy is uncertain or inconsistent
  • Underutilization of gas bottles
Gas Distribution System Pressure Control Advisory
The right pressure regulators are critical to gas distribution systems, but few crews have someone specializing in avoiding droop, lock-up, choked flow, and supply-pressure effect.

Solution

Backed by 70-plus years of fluid system expertise and a global network of pressure control advisors, Swagelok offers a two-pronged solution: pressure control advisory services and gas distribution systems that help ensure facilities are operating safely and efficiently.

Our advisors, in collaboration with your team, deliver:

  • A fully engineered system, assembled & tested before installation
  • Built with minimal threaded connections to avoid leaks
  • Clearly labeled for safety and functionality
  • Easy to understand and operate
  • Simple to troubleshoot and perform routine service

Our gas distribution systems are backed by Swagelok's industry-leading warranty. Plus, we support you after the sale so you can be sure your system will continue to operate with precision.

Gas Distribution System Assembly
Whether you need a standard solution or custom arrangement, we can design and assemble a system that meets your exact requirements.

Options

View four standard gas distribution assemblies below. The design and quality of Swagelok gas distribution systems ensures uptime, safety, and efficiency. These systems allow ease of maintenance and troubleshooting to keep systems reliably delivering required pressures and flows. 

SSI

Swagelok Source Inlet (SSI)

  • Highly configurable options to purge or vent gases when changing bottles, always ensuring operator safety
  • Available option to vent individual lines to maximize uptime

The source inlet connects the high-pressure gas source and the distribution system. It is important the inlet is built with appropriate cylinder connections, hoses, tubing, filters, and vent, purge, and relief functions to ensure that gas can be safely fed into the primary gas pressure control or automatic changeover. For a single gas cylinder, the assembly can be as simple as a hose and connector. Multiple cylinders may require a manifold with many hoses and valves.

SGP

Swagelok Gas Panel (SGP)

  • Modular panel is easy to service and maintain as any part can be removed via a Swagelok connection, so the panel never needs to be removed
  • Options can be implemented around the regulator and valves for color-coding if required for your site

As the primary gas pressure control, the SGP completes the first pressure reduction of the source gas and ensures it is delivered at the correct flow rate to the next stage of the system. Pressure reduction is accomplished in either one stage with a single pressure regulator or two stages through a dual pressure regulator arrangement.

SCO

Swagelok Changeover (SCO)

  • Changeover point remains constant
  • Optional line regulation available if your system incorporates a point-of-use regulator downstream, eliminating additional cost of a regulator on the SCO
  • Flexibility to set changeover pressure to your specification

The automatic changeover system seamlessly switches from one gas source to another to ensure an uninterrupted supply. This is accomplished through staggered set points of two pressure regulators, allowing the system to continue to operate as the primary gas source is changed. Our changeover station allows for custom changeover set points to help reduce wasted gas left in cylinders.

SPU

Swagelok Point of Use (SPU)

  • Provides standardization and consistent operation at the point of use
  • Can be set up for either top-to-bottom or bottom-to-top flow to meet your setup needs
  • Compact design and numerous mounting options

The point-of-use system provides the critical last stage of pressure control prior to the gas being used. These are often the least complex of the four main subsystems, typically having a pressure regulator, gauge, and isolation valve. Point-of-use systems give operators and technicians a convenient and accurate method of adjusting pressure to meet their test bench or equipment needs.

Support

Evaluation, advice, and ongoing support are just as much a part of our Gas Distribution Program as the standard subsystems we offer. Swagelok provides critical analysis to inform proper regulator selection, identify system upgrades, and guide the design and assembly of standard and customized solutions.

Following a thorough assessment of your gas delivery systems, you get a detailed report showing:

  • Overall system performance and existing components' fitness for function, including required vs. actual flow rates
  • Safety, environmental, and reliability scoring for each system
  • Compressed gas leaks and the money that is being lost to them
  • Areas for improvement and suggestions for suitable solutions
  • Recommendations for maximizing gas bottle usage
The solution you receive is backed by Swagelok's strong warranty.
Gas Distribution Preconfig
Your Swagelok advisor pinpoints correct inlet and delivery pressures, explains considerations for different media, and highlights where a two-stage regulator is required. These are just examples of the comprehensive support you receive.

Case study

At one leading chemical company, Swagelok identified ways to standardize gas panel design. They found components for purging and venting had been added over the years, resulting in unnecessary complexity. Removing critical relief valves via tapered, threaded connections during maintenance required significant labour time. And the customer’s use of different gas panels from multiple suppliers made planning ahead for replacement difficult. Through the Gas Distribution Program, this customer achieved: 

  • Enhanced system and site safety 
  • $52,000 saved on panel replacement every five years 
  • 75% reduction in gas panel maintenance time 
  • Panel standardization that freed up time for more critical tasks 
  • Lower carbon footprint from stopping leaks and other changes
CaseStudy-FA-GDS-ChemCustomer_after
This image shows Swagelok SGP panels in a bottle shelter. The panels provide the first pressure reduction point in the system and include filtration, isolation, relief and pressure indication in a compact, modular design. The standardized panels' common design footprint has reduced labour hours for the engineering team and improved overall efficiency. See this case study in more detail by downloading our literature.

Literature

Edmonton Valve's Gas Distribution Program Resource Collection puts several helpful publications in your hands, all in one step.

The collection includes:

  • Swagelok Gas Distribution Program Application Guide
  • Swagelok Gas Distribution Program Brochure
  • Swagelok Gas Distribution Program Case Study
  • Swagelok Field Advisory Services Brochure

In a hurry or have a question? Please call our office at 780-437-0640.

(Need technical help right now? Call our 24x7 Field Advisory Services On-Call Technical Support Line at 780-237-7109.)

GDP_ResourceCollection_Cover

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Download literature

Download the Edmonton Valve Gas Distribution Program Resource Collection containing an application guide, brochure, case study, and more.