Technofast EziTite M125 hydraulic bolts being used as an alternative to heater rods previously employed in
turbine maintenance programs.
Technofast hydraulic bolting technology is dramatically reducing maintenance times on
water turbine shutdown programs around the world, while considerably reducing OH&S
concerns at the same time.
The bolting technology – which is applicable to gas, steam, water and wind turbines
widely used in energy, resources and industrial applications – is used in many areas of the turbine, one of which is the critical joint connecting the blades to the main
generator shaft.
The use of the EziTite®
hydraulic bolts in a hydro power project in South Korea has
removed the need for outdated heater rods which can be very time consuming to use
and have inherent OH&S concerns.
Current case studies are demonstrating impressive savings in turbine downtime of over
75%, with one hydro power station reducing a major shutdown on a water turbine from
95-105 days to just 15 days.
Technofast Founder and CEO Mr John Bucknell says downtime savings of 75% are
commonly achieved on a range of turbines used in industries throughout Australasia
and the Asia-Pacific, including resources and energy applications, where there can be
major cost penalties if electrical supplies go offline for extended periods.
“In the case of the hydro power project in South Korea, downtime has been cut by close
to 80%.
“In fact, the system has been so successful and saved so much time and money that
funds have been allocated to change over all other water turbines onsite to use EziTite®
hydraulic fasteners over a three year period,” Mr Bucknell said.
The compact size of the M125 EziTite hydraulic bolts was a major advantage on the
hydro power station application, where they enhanced safety by reducing the effort,
hours and handling required while also increasing the precision of the job.
Mr Bucknell said such safety benefits are true in many applications.
“EziTite hydraulic nuts are ideal for tensioning all the studs on a flange, joint or cover
simultaneously, loading 100% of the fasteners at once.
“This gives an extremely accurate even load onto the flange/joint, enhancing ongoing
safety and reliability of the machinery in service,” he explained.
EziTite®
hydraulic nuts and bolts are rapidly applied by being installed in place of the
standard hex nuts and bolts and then hydraulically actuated, stretching the bolt to the
precise tension required and then locking it in place mechanically with a locking device.
The reverse procedure permits equally rapid disassembly when it is eventually required
for maintenance, for example.
Typical applications include turbines and associated valves, which are used to generate
electricity and in marine and locomotive propulsion.
EziTite®
hydraulic nuts and bolts are ideal where:
Accurate and reliable loading is required on bolting.
Vibrational or torsional stresses are a problem.
Regular maintenance requires repeated adjustment or removal of nuts/bolts.
There are confined or difficult locations.
EziTite® hydraulic bolts minimise the time required to carry out critical bolting
procedures and can be specified and manufactured using alloy or stainless steels to suit
application requirements.
Available in a wide range of standard sizes, from 20mm to 100mm bolt diameters, the
EziTite hydraulic bolts feature a unique locking ring thread technology which ensures
the maximum retained load, plus a spherical seat which gives alignment to the joint
face.
A variety of seal designs for temperature/pressure requirements are also available.
Technofast technologies such as EziTite® Hydraulic Nuts and Bolts and the
complementary CamNut range are employed worldwide in applications including
Australasia, Europe, Asia and North America.
They are particularly valued in applications where avoidance of downtime and reduced
maintenance time is critical, including nuclear, hydro, gas and coal electricity generation
plants as well as mining and industrial applications.
Recent relocation to the company’s purpose built factory in the industrial precinct of
Crestmead, in the southern suburbs of Brisbane, has allowed the streamlining of the
manufacturing process, and a significant increase in production to address increasing
demand for these innovative fastener systems.
