The state of Texas may have been famous in the past for cattle and cowboys, but today it is famous for the vast reserves of oil and natural gas. Finding ways to drill for these resources is a challenge, and creating systems of pipe to carry the oil and gas becomes critical for both safety and economic reasons. In addition, components for mud tanks and other parts of the system are also necessary
Joining long lengths of pipe, or two sections in a system together to carry oil or other fluids is a necessity in the industry. The joint area of two pipes or components is always the riskiest location for a leak, so developing effective ways to create unions is always critical in the industry.
One common option is the hammer union. This is a well-named component of a pipe system as it is a connection that is enhanced by the use of a sledgehammer. The main use if this type of connection is in mud tanks, particularly in joining mud tanks without the need for a more complicated flanged union or connection.
The Components
There are different components in various types of hammer union options. The standard components include a male and female section of the union as well as a nut. The external thread is on the male part of the system, and it is welded to the tank wall. This is connected to the nut and then to the female part of the system.
Each part of the system is adjusted with a hammer to secure the connection completely. Each hammer union is designed for specific pressure levels and specific applications. It is critical to match the selected hammer standard union with the correct pressure rating on the part to prevent leaks and issues, particularly in applications with high PSI ratings.
Always make sure the part selected to complete the union is standardized. This allows for parts to be interchanged between manufacturers, making it easy to find replacement parts in Texas in a hurry if and when required.