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20 E&MJ; • JUNE 2014 www.e-mj.com COMPANY PROFILE-PAID ADVERTISEMENT In the U.S. and Canada, grooved mechanical piping is the generally accepted method for joining pipes in the mining industry. Victaulic manufactures a range of grooved mechanical pipe-joining solutions for the mining market that offer faster, safer and more efficient assembly of above and below ground piping systems. A grooved mechanical joint comprises four elements: grooved-end pipe, a gasket, a coupling housing, and nuts and bolts. The gasket is centered over the joint of two abutted grooved-end pipes and held in place by the coupling housing. The key sections of the housing seg- ments engage the grooves, and the bolts and nuts are tightened to hold the housing segments together. In the installed state, the coupling housing encases the gasket and engages the groove around the cir- cumference of the pipe to create a triple seal unified joint that is enhanced when the system is pressurized. Designed for utility and process applications, Victaulic pipe-joining systems benefit every aspect of mining operations. The primary and perhaps most well-known benefit of Victaulic grooved mechanical pip- ing products is that the systems are three to five times faster to install than other methods of pipe joining. Installation can be completed quickly without the need for special tools or open flame. Installation- Ready™ couplings do not require disassembly, further reducing instal- lation time to about half that of standard couplings. Metal-to-metal bolt pad contact provides visual verification of proper coupling assembly. No open flame or joint compounds are required to join pipe with grooved couplings, eliminating fire and fume hazards and improving safety. Installation-Ready couplings further reduce the risk of injury because the couplings remain assembled, eliminating loose parts that can be dropped. With a union at every joint, piping system maintenance can be completed twice as fast as other joining methods. Access to the sys- tem is as simple as loosening two nuts and bolts, and removing the housing segments and gasket from the joint. The disassembly of two adjacent couplings enables the removal of a valve, fitting or section of pipe. Once the maintenance is complete, the couplings can be reused and reassembled on the joints. This characteristic also simplifies the expansion or rerouting of systems as work progresses. By allowing these maintenance tasks to be completed quicker and easier, Victaulic systems reduce downtime, costs and the labor needed to complete maintenance tasks. Deflection capabilities of Victaulic flexible couplings allow piping systems to be deployed over uneven surfaces while maintaining the integrity of the system. These self-restraining flexible couplings are also designed to overcome the challenges caused by misaligned pipe. The pipe joint can also accommodate thermal expansion and contraction, as well as seismic movement, without the need for expansion joints. Factoring in materi- als and labor, Victaulic grooved piping systems can result in total-in- stalled cost savings of up to 50%. By saving time during installation and maintenance, offering system flexibility, simpli- fying system alteration and pipe and fitting re- placement, and improv- ing safety, Victaulic grooved piping systems reduce risk and ulti- mately save money. Product Lines Original Groove System In use since the 1920s, Victaulic couplings are known the world over for their versatility in above and below ground piping systems. Based on a flexible coupling design that allows for system expansion, con- traction and deflection, Original Groove System flexible couplings have grown from a single product to a complete family of couplings, fittings, valves and accessories for the mining industry. OGS products are avail- able in a two-piece coupling design from ¾-24"/20-600 mm. Advanced Groove System Advanced Groove System (AGS) products are designed with a patent- ed groove profile for large-diameter, high-pressure services. The two- piece coupling design facilitates simple installation and maintenance. AGS products are available in sizes ranging from 14–72"/ 350–1,800 mm for pressures up to 350 psi/2,400 kPa. AGS Vic-Ring System For large-diameter slurry and tailings lines, Victaulic offers the AGS Vic-Ring system. A ring with the patented AGS groove profile is mount- ed on the outside of the pipe to engage the AGS coupling and com- plete the joint. The AGS Vic-Ring system maintains full pipe-wall thickness while providing a smooth inner flow path to maximize pipe life. The system features two-piece couplings from 14–72"/ 350–1,800 mm for pressures up to 350 psi/2,400 kPa. Installation-Ready™ Couplings Victaulic Installation-Ready couplings use the same groove profile and have the same performance characteristics of Original Groove System couplings, but can be installed in 50% less time. Installation-Ready couplings are available for 2–12"/50–300 mm systems. High-Pressure Systems Victaulic has created two reliable solutions specifically designed for high- pressure applications such as backfill paste lines, chilled water lines and dewatering lines: The Style 808 double groove system for pressures up to 4,000 psi/27,000 kPa and sizes ranging from 6–12"/150–300 mm; and the EndSeal (ES) system for pressures up to 2,500 psi/17,500 kPa and sizes ranging from 2–12"/50–300 mm. Fire Protection Systems Victaulic was the first grooved piping system manufacturer to receive approval for use on fire protection systems. From the revolutionary NXT devices to a full line of sprinkler products, Victaulic is a single source for fire protection systems in mines. In addition to these product lines, Victaulic offers a range of fittings, valves, accessories and specialty products, including long-radius bends, lined and coated fittings, HDPE plain-end system, Aquamine PVC pipe-joining system, Vic-Press press-to-connect pipe-joining sys- tem, flange adapters, pipe preparation tools, and more. For more information, please visit www.victaulic.com/mining. Victaulic EMJ_pg04-45_EMJ_pg04-45 6/4/14 9:00 AM Page 20