Customer
A leading global supplier of medical, industrial and specialty compressed gas.
Application
A high-volume compressed gas cylinder fill plant utilizing twist-on connectors and older quick connectors on CGA 540 (oxygen) manifolds.
Challenge
Increasing customer demand drove the need to fill more oxygen cylinders on existing CGA 540 racks. Using manual twist-on connectors increased cycle time creating a bottleneck in production. Utilizing some existing older quick connectors in the plant was not an option because they did not have the required materials in the flow path for sufficient oxygen service safety.
Project Goals
• Minimize cycle time and eliminate the ergonomic safety hazard of the twist-on connections to fill more cylinders with an increased level of safety. • Increase oxygen service safety by providing quick connectors with compliant materials in the flow path.
Solution
FasTest’s standard G540 connector was the solution of choice as it includes only brass, Monel, and Inconel components in the flow path – all approved materials for oxygen service.
Results
The G540 connectors from FasTest significantly reduced fill cycle time, eliminated the ergonomic safety hazard, and increased overall safety for the CGA 540 fill lines. Production efficiency increased, and the time saved connecting now allows time for filling one additional rack per day. The cylinder filling process is no longer a bottleneck in the fill plant. The improved material compatibility is also an important safety improvement that greatly reduces the risk of an oxygen fire. Additionally, the operators are quite happy with the new FasTest G540 connectors’ speed and ease of use, and of course the reduced wear and tear on their wrists!
