For More Information Call | 800-255-7113

Additional Information About HELIX

HELIX Elbow Working Principle

There are several physical benefits in the operation of the new Somarakis Helix elbow. The benefits of the main three design concepts are listed below.

1. The design of the fins are partially recessed into the back wall of the outer part of the elbows radius. This design gives you additional strength with the helix style ribbed design. Extra strength is now available in those high pressure and high flow applications.

Working Principle II

2. The Somarakis elbow reduces the abrasive action within the elbow wall. How this works is suspended particles in the piped fluid collect behind each one of the helix ribs. This acts as a cushioning mechanism, and material flowing through the elbow wears upon itself and not the pipes wall giving long life and
service free performance.

Working Principle III

3. The fins inside the Somarakis elbow are engineered to create a spin or vortex of the fluid. The vortex actually increases the flow and eliminates side wall flow resistance in the elbow. In many cases where several elbows are used in a piping application the horse power required is reduced and energy is saved. The vortex is created by the design of our helix fins as it enters the pipe elbow, but on the exit port of the elbow the vortex actually creates a suction and increases the fluids velocity.

Cost / Savings

As an example, using a cost factor of the new Somarakis elbow as three times the cost of your average elbow.  Take the labor rate X (life expectancy) five times the life of your standard elbow. What would your savings be?

Labor  saved (6 hours X five installations X labor cost) + cost of five elbows + cost of down time for 30 hours + less pump power required = Total Savings.

Abrasive Wear

Abrasive wear is the result of abrasive erosion. The motion between the pipes inner wall and a fluid containing solid particles is the mechanical interaction that causes premature pipe failures. Our Somarakis “Helix” pipe products create a rolling effect through the pipe structure that reduces your abrasive erosion and extends your pipes life by a factor of ten.

It take 20% less energy to move a slurry with our Helix system than it does with standard conventional piping.

  1. Rolling the slurry of solid particles in the pipe structure.
  2. Wearing evenly 360 Deg. of the ID and not just the bottom 18% of your pipe.

B31 Piping Code

ASTM Codes for Piping Systems With Certs:

The Somarakis Helix Pipe product line has been designed to meet and exceed the following ASTM B31 Codes.

B31.1 Piping for metallic and nonmetallic materials, heating systems, and oil services.
B31.3 Piping for petroleum, chemical, textile, and paper facilities.
B31.4 Piping of liquids in tank farms, petroleum, and unrefined / raw crude oil industries.
B31.11 Slurry piping / pulverized materials suspended in water like coal, sand, mud, and sewer treatment waste.

Fluid Hydrodynamics

Hydrodynamics (Pressure + Force + Area) is the velocity, pressure, density and temperature of the fluid being pumped through your piping network.

1.Pressure: Is the force applied in a closed conduit in a direction to move a given mass or liquid. 

2.Density: Is the mass of the liquid or substance in your pipeline.

3.Temperature: As an example water at 50 F. has a dynamic viscosity of 2.73 and at 100 F. is at 1.42 which is almost half. It would take less energy to move the warmer fluid. 

Pipe Flow Mechanics

There are several issues in maintaining good flow through a pipe in your operation.

  1. Size of piping.
  2. Fluid being piped.
  3. Length or distance fluid is being piped.
  4. Gravity force (Uphill & Down hill applications).
  5. Angles / elbows in your system.
  6. Speed of fluid.
  7. Pipe wall resistance.

Grades and Materials Used

Using ASTM standards for our “Helix Pipe” designs gives us proven chemical requirements for your operation. Other alloys available on request.
We have continuous metallurgical quality control.

A106 Gr. A.25 Carbon48K Tensile
This carbon steel material would be best used in a high-temperature application.

A335.15 Carbon60K Tensile
This ferritic alloy is best for variable and high-temperature applications, and also used is extreme corrosion environment’s.

A333.3 Carbon55K Tensile
This material would be used in low-temperature applications.

A304 SS.08 Carbon75K Tensile
This material would be best used in extreme service environment’s.