The American company FH Maloney was founded in 1932. Initially, it specialized in the production of equipment for the oil and gas industry and the mining complex. Its headquarters occupies 4 blocks near the center of the city of Houston, the largest metropolitan area of Texas. In 1995, the firm was bought by S&B Technical Products, which has been manufacturing rubber and plastic products for over 80 years.
The new name of the combined business, Maloney Technical Products, reflects the history of the two predecessors. Their specialization remains the same: the production of equipment for the oil industry and waterworks, the production of rubber and polymer compounds according to their own recipes. Branded products are widely used on oil pipelines in North America, as well as in the US public utilities.
Also, under the brand "Maloni" rubber products with arbitrary characteristics (moldings) are produced. They are made to order from rubber and plastic of different grades, depending on the specifications of the customer.
Currently, the company pays special attention to the production of spherical pistons. In a more detailed examination of the range, they should be given first place in the brief description of the catalog.
ball pistons
Pipeline verification balls are an important part of Maloni’s products and are becoming increasingly popular in Eurasia, including Russia.
The walls of the spheres are unusually thick when compared to products from other manufacturers, which reduces wear during prolonged use. The layer of dense material on the surface reaches 1/3 of the entire diameter.
The polymer is pressed under pressure up to 2000 psi, resulting in extraordinary strength products. Pistons successfully endure all types of deforming loads for a long time. Elastic walls perfectly resist stretching and compression, withstand strong lateral shifts.
Temperature resistance depends on the material from which the Maloney piston is made. There are low temperature and high temperature options. Neoprene is the most resistant to frost. At the same time, this polymer is resistant to overheating. For example, in sections of pipelines where superheated steam is generated. Such situations develop in hot water supply and water heating. If overheating is likely, a neoprene ball piston should be used.
Cheaper nitrile has slightly less ability to resist the effects of hot and cold environments. However, nitrile products retain elasticity at 25-degree frosts, therefore, in most Russian regions they can be used even in winter. Although verification work is rarely carried out during the cold season, this makes it possible to urgently respond to reports of violations in water supply and hydrocarbon supply channels. Maloney’s nitrile ball is suitable for testing pipelines with boiling water (without the formation of superheated steam).
The most economical modifications of the test balls are made of polyurethane. They withstand cooling down to 18 degrees below zero, and there is a temperature difference for hot water and hydrocarbons. In petroleum products, polyurethane retains its properties when the temperature rises to 77 degrees, but for water, the temperature limit is only 60. The Maloney polyurethane piston can be used at the end points of hot water supply leading to consumers. Not recommended near heating boilers and on heating systems.
RECOMMENDED USE OF BALLS OF VARIOUS MATERIALS
The antistatic ball piston does not accumulate static electricity. When it moves, there is no constant voltage between it and nearby pieces of equipment. Conductive polyurethane is used to give the product antistatic properties.
The best modification of spherical devices is the smart sphere. In tests conducted in the United States, the Smart Sphere showed excellent results. The tested ball piston traveled 268 miles (about 500 km) without noticeable signs of wear and tear.
The smart sphere is made of three types of polyurethane (58, 66, 88). It has two ports for inflation and normal filling. It can be inflated and used like a regular sphere. In the field and laboratory conditions, the power supply elements are easily replaced, the device is reprogrammed.
Sizes (diameters) of the smart sphere vary from 12 to 36 inches, according to customer specifications.
FOR WHAT PURPOSES IS THE MALONEY BALL PISTON (MALONEY BALL) USED?
Spherical superchargers of liquids and liquefied gases are intended primarily for use in pipe piston verification units (TPU). With the help of TPU, verification and metrological control of flow transducers in measuring systems is carried out. With its help, quantitative and qualitative indicators of crude oil, light and dark oil products are measured.
During the operation of the installation, the Maloney piston displaces the test liquid when it moves along the calibrated area. When the displaced fluid moves, detectors are triggered that evaluate the quantity and quality of raw materials or products.
If necessary, the Maloney ball is increased in diameter by 5%. The increase in the volume of the sphere is achieved by pumping with antifreeze.
Since the sphere is made of a material characterized by a low coefficient of friction, pressure losses are reduced when it passes through the calibrated part of the TPU. The total pressure drop must not exceed 0.2 MPa (approximately 2 atmospheres).