Over the last decade there’s been an increasing demand for non-spill quick disconnect couplings designed to perform in the low-pressure fluid transfer market. But how do you choose the right fluid coupling for your application?
Factors to consider when selecting a fluid handling coupling
Quick disconnect couplings are valved or non-valved, but for this post we are only reviewing couplings that are valved on both sides, sometimes referred to as ‘double shut-off couplings’.
Selection Considerations
Safety: Safety and environmental concerns should be high on the list of attributes in the selection criteria for non-spill couplings. If the media is toxic, corrosive or poses an environmental hazard, minimizing the spillage volume through the use of a non-spill coupling is critical.
Ease of Use: Ease of use should be a priority. Consider the physical and cognitive requirements placed on the user. It is important to be able to easily disconnect the couplings with no spills.
Cleanliness: All quick disconnect couplings have an amount of spillage associated with disconnection. A non-spill
coupling minimizes the spillage.
Rugged and Reliable: The physical characteristics of couplings vary largely with the primary materials of construction.
Media Costs: Media can reach up to hundreds of dollars per gallon. An engineer needs to consider what the accumulated cost is when there are frequent disconnections with several drops of spillage of a highcost media.
Materials Selection: The coupling materials should be well-suited to the environment and application requirements.
Chemical Compatibility: Chemical compatibility of the coupling materials with the flow media and other components is closely related to the material selection criteria. If using a proprietary media, be sure to determine whether the fluid is compatible with coupling housings, seals, valves and tubing.
Flow Size and Pressure Drop: The flow size of the coupling is usually dictated by the pressure drop across the coupling, along with the size and type of connecting tubing.
Resilient Seals: Upon disconnection and reconnection, couplings need to function perfectly so there are no fluid drips or leaks.
Minimized Leak Points: Consider using non-spill couplings with integrated terminations in the exact style to connect directly to the other fluid handling system component.
In Conclusion
Like many decisions facing the design engineer, the choice of non-spill quick-disconnect coupling can seem overwhelming. However, with upfront design planning and the right support from the manufacturer, an ideal solution can be selected to provide the performance required to suit the application.
For more information, read Grant Wilhelm's detailed white paper "Specifying non-spill coupling technology
for low-pressure fluid systems".
About CPC
Colder Products Company (CPC) provides a full line of quick disconnects for a broad range of applications, from biopharmaceutical to food processing. Designed with quality and economy in mind, our couplings are useful in any application where tubing requires quick and safe connection and disconnection. Colder products are easy to operate and maintain, and offer unique connection options to meet individual customer needs.
We manufacture plastic, metal and custom quick disconnects; whatever your industry or application, we have a quick disconnect that will improve your process.
Additional Resources
Website: Quick Connects and Disconnects
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