Sulfuric Acid Transfer Hoses

Recommended Sulfuric Acid Transfer Hoses Specification
Revision 1: July 2022

1.0 Scope

This document lays out considerations for the design, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of sulfuric acid transfer hoses. Common applications include temporary connections for loading and unloading rail tank cars as well as suction and discharge lines on pumps in permanent production and use facilities.

2.0 Hose Design

2.1 Alloy Selection

The concentration of sulfuric acid, along with operating temperature and pressure, will determine assembly material of construction. Any contaminants within flow media, such as chlorides, can affect corrosion resistance of the stainless steels, and should be removed or, at minimum, noted as another alloy may be better suited when contaminants are present. Spent sulfuric acid is a likely candidate for contaminants. Suggestions listed below are intended to serve as a reference.

For concentrations of sulfuric acid between 20% – 85%, recommended inner core is Hastelloy® C-276 (UNS N10276) and recommended braid is Hastelloy® C-276 (UNS N10276). Wetted end fittings shall be constructed of the same material as the inner core.

For concentrated sulfuric acid, which has been classified as 70% – 100%, 321 Stainless Steel (UNS S32100) is a suitable option for hose material for 93% sulfuric acid up to 105°F and for 98% sulfuric acid up to about 160°F. Recommended braid is 304 Stainless Steel (UNS S30400) and wetted end fittings shall be specified by the Owner.

In operating conditions in excess of ambient temperatures, the rate of corrosion for concentrated sulfuric acid with 321 Stainless Steel may exceed the NAHAD recommended 2 mils per year. In these instances, recommended inner core is Hastelloy® C-276 (UNS N10276) and recommended braid is Hastelloy® C-276 (UNS N10276). Wetted end fittings shall be constructed of the same material as the inner core.

With low acid concentrations at low temperatures, 316L Stainless Steel (UNS S31603) and 321 Stainless Steel (UNS S32100) are suitable options for the inner core. Recommended braid is 304 Stainless Steel (UNS S30400), and wetted end fittings shall be specified by the Owner.

2.2 Working Pressure

End users should determine working pressure. In the case of rail car loading and unloading, it is recommended that minimum pressure ratings equal the pressure setting of the relief device to which the hose is attached. The addition of a second braid layer can increase pressure carrying capacity if required. In some cases, the second layer is added as a hedge against mishandling, serving as a protective layer.

2.3 Design Pressure

Hoses are capable of operating at the MAWP up to 70°F, above which derating factors must be considered. The braid alloy shall be considered the limiting factor when determining the pressure rating at temperature over 70°F.

3.0 Hose Construction

3.1 Strip

Recommended hose shall be manufactured from following strip.

Hastelloy® C-276 (UNS N10276) strip per ASTM B575-04 with the following physical properties:

Elongation: 40% minimum in 2 inches
Temper: Fully Annealed
Minimum Yield Strength: 41,000 psi
Minimum Tensile Strength: 100,000 psi

316LSS/321SS (UNS S31603/UNS S32100) strip per ASTM A240 with the following physical properties:

Elongation: 45% minimum in 2 inches
Temper: Fully Annealed B83 Max Rockwell (160.5 max on HV scale)
Maximum Yield: 49,000 psi
Tensile Strength: 75,000 – 100,000 psi

All hose shall be supplied with original mill test reports indicating the strip thickness and heat lot of the final assembly.

3.2 Strip Thickness

As corrosion wears material away, a thinner wall construction will compromise hose integrity sooner than a heavier wall construction. Metal hose shall conform to the minimum wall thickness as specified in Table 1.

3.3 Manufacture

All hose shall have annular corrugations produced using mechanical methods.

4.0 Braid Construction

Braid for sizes up to and including 4” nominal size shall be beamed braid while braid for nominal sizes 6” and larger shall be braided braid. Braid splicing is not permitted. Braid constructions shall be calculated with a 4 to 1 safety factor to determine the working pressure. Recommended braid constructions are specified in Table 1.

4.1 Braid Alloy

As specified by the Owner, braid shall be manufactured from Hastelloy® C-276 (UNS N10276), 304, 304L or 316L wire (UNS S30400 or S30403, respectively).

All Hastelloy® C-276 (UNS N10276) wire shall have the following physical properties:

Ultimate Elongation: 35% min / 50% max
Tensile Strength: 140,000 – 165,000 psi

All stainless steel wire per ASTM A580 shall have the following physical properties:

Ultimate Elongation: 35% min / 50% max
Yield Strength: 40,000 – 60,000 psi
Tensile Strength: 105,000 – 125,000 psi

All braid shall be supplied with original mill test reports indicating the wire diameter.

4.2 Assembly Welding

The corrugated tube and braids shall be joined with a cap weld using TIG welding process, under an argon purge. The cap weld shall be completed before the attachment by welding of any end fittings. All welds shall be performed in accordance with ASME Section IX.

The braid sleeve shall cover a minimum of three convolutions.

End fittings shall be specified by the owner at time of purchase.

4.3 Tagging

The assembly shall have a permanent stainless steel tag attached to the hose with the following information:

Description
Hose ID and Length
Manufacturer
Date of Manufacture
Maximum Working Pressure

5.0 Assembly Testing

5.1 Test Pressure

Prior to service, it is recommended each hose be tested at room temperature. Any indication of leaks is cause for rejection.

Each hose should undergo a high-pressure structural test at one-and-a-half (1.5) times the MAWP for at least ten (10) minutes. If the high-pressure test is administered with water, the hose must be subjected to a drying procedure to assure that adequate moisture is removed from the interior of the hose.

Each hose assembly should then be Helium Mass Spectrometer tested to a maximum leak rate of 5×10-6 std cc/sec.

6.0 Cleaning

Prior to shipping, each hose assembly shall be cleaned to remove hydrocarbons, foreign materials and standing water.

7.0 Shipping

Hose assemblies shall be wrapped in water-tight packaging and boxed in containers that will prevent damage to the hose in transit. Hoses shall be shipped with securely fitted pipe caps or covers on the end fittings to prevent debris from entering the hose.

8.0 Installation & Use

8.1 Avoid Torque

Do not twist the hose assembly during installation when aligning the bolt holes in a flange or in making up pipe threads. The utilization of lap joint flanges or pipe unions will minimize this condition. It is recommended that two wrenches be used in making the union connection: one to prevent the hose from twisting and the other to tighten the coupling.

8.2 Out-of-Plane Flexing

To prevent out-of-plane flexing in an installation, always install the hose so that the flexing takes place in only one plane. This plane must be the plane in which the bending occurs.

8.3 Over-Bending

The repetitive bending of a hose to a radius smaller than the radius listed in the specification tables for corrugated hose will result in premature hose failure. Always provide sufficient length to prevent over bending and to eliminate strain on the hose and install flexible connectors so that the bend is as close to the center of the connector as possible.

8.4 Avoid Sharp Bends

Utilize sound geometric configurations that avoid sharp bends, especially near the end fittings of the assembly.

8.5 Provide Support

When installing the assembly in a horizontal loop, provide support for the arms to prevent the hose from sagging.

8.6 Axial Compression

A piping system which utilizes metal hose to absorb movement must be properly anchored and/or guided. Always support the piping to prevent excessive weight from compressing the hose and relaxing the braid tension.

8.7 Handle Carefully

Avoid careless handling of the hose assembly. Don’t “pre-flex” a hose to limber it up as overbending could cause damage and result in leakage. Don’t apply a wrench to a hose, collar, or assembly. Only wrench on the fitting hex flats and don’t try to stretch or compress a hose to fit an installation. This could affect the pressure carry capability of the hose. Always lift or carry metal hose to prevent abrasion damage particularly to braided corrugated hose. Store metal hose assemblies away from areas where it can be subjected to spillage, corrosive fumes or sprays, weld splatter, etc.

9.0 Hose Inspection

Periodically inspect hose assemblies to recognize features which lead to failure and proactively schedule replacement before actual failures occur. If any of these items are observed, replacements should be considered.

Loose, broken, bulged, frayed, or worn braid
Deformation of the hose, including braid wear, twisting, kinking, denting, flat spots
Coupling slippage, cracks, severe dents, or excess corrosion
Traces of media on or around the assembly
Loose or damaged guard or covers
Indications of corrosion of the hose or braid
Loose fitting attachments
Hose assembly rubbing or making contact with adjacent machinery or piping
Unreadable or missing identification or tag if this information is required

Table 1: Assembly Construction Single Braid

Hose ID	Min Wall Thickness	Min Convo- lutions/Ft	Min Wt/Ft (Lbs)	Min Wire Diameter	Min # Braid Wires	Min Burst Pressure @ 70°F
½”	0.010”	86	0.39	0.014”	216	4960
¾”	0.015”	60	0.62	0.014”	324	3760
1”	0.015”	50	0.79	0.014”	360	2520
1¹/₂”	0.015”	42	1.29	0.016”	480	2000
2”	0.015”	40	1.61	0.020”	480	2128
3”	0.015”	28	2.16	0.020”	648	1600
4”	0.015”	27	2.86	0.020”	792	1200
6”	0.018”	22	5.09	0.020”	1152	660
8”	0.020”	16	9.48	0.024”	2016	934

Figure 1: Sample Drawing of Recommended Sulfuric Acid Transfer Hose

Note: To print, please click here.

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