TECHNICAL BULLETIN

TIL 1237-1: Potential Flexible Hose Installation Errors

Abstract
This Technical Bulletin is to inform Customers of the applicability of TIL 1237-1 to units serviced by GE
Oil & Gas.

TIL 1237-1 has been added in conjunction with the publication of TIL 1585-R1

Serviceable Units
All GE Oil & Gas Heavy Duty Gas Turbines

Compliance Category

M - Maintenance Identifies maintenance guidelines or best practices for reliable equipment operation.

C - Compliance Required Identifies the need for action to correct a condition that, if left uncorrected, may result
in reduced equipment reliability or efficiency. Compliance may be required within a
specific operating time.

A - Alert Failure to comply with the Technical Bulletin could result in equipment or facility
damage. Compliance is mandated within a specific operating time.

S – Safety Failure to comply with this Technical Bulletin could result in personal injury. Compliance
is mandated within a specific operating time.

Timing Code
1 Prior to Unit Startup / Prior to Continued Operation (forced outage condition)
2 At First Opportunity (next shutdown)
3 Prior to Operation of Affected System
4 At First Exposure of Component
5 At Scheduled Component Part Repair or Replacement
6 Next Scheduled Outage

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Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie S.r.l. Proprietary Information

The information published in this Technical Bulletin is offered to you by GE in consideration of its ongoing sales and service relationship with
your organization. However, since the operation of your plant involves factors not within our knowledge, and since operation of the plant is
within your control and responsibility for its continuing successful operation rests with you, GE disclaims responsibility or liability for damage
of any type, including but not limited to direct, consequential or special damages that may be alleged to have occurred as a result of applying
this information, regardless of whether it is claimed that GE is strictly liable, in breach of contract, in breach of warranty, negligent, or is in
any other respect responsible for any alleged injury or damage sustained by your organization as a result of applying this information. The
information contained in this Technical Bulletin is confidential and proprietary. This Bulletin and the information contained in it are protected
by copyright and/or other intellectual property rights. This Bulletin and information are provided for authorized use only, and may not be
used by or disclosed to others without the prior express written consent of Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie S.r.l.
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

Contacts
For units under warranty or covered under a Contractual Service Agreement (CSA) please refer to your
GE Oil & Gas Project Manager.

For technical questions or application and commercial requests please contact:

GE Oil & Gas

Customer Service Center
Via Felice Matteucci, 2
50127 Florence, Italy
e-Mail: customer.service.center@ge.com
Web: http://www.geoilandgas.com/pipeline-storage/gas-processing-compression/rotating-equipment-service-support
Phone: +39 055 427 2500
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The recommendations contained in this Technical Bulletin are for information only. Unless otherwise
indicated in a Contractual Service Agreement (CSA) in force between the parties, a specific Purchase Order
must be agreed and all costs associated with the implementation of the recommendations shall be paid by
the Customer.

2/2
Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie S.r.l. Proprietary Information
The information contained in this Technical Bulletin is confidential and proprietary. This Bulletin and the information contained in it
are protected by copyright and/or other intellectual property rights. This Bulletin and information are provided for authorized use
only, and may not be used by or disclosed to others without the prior express written consent of Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie S.r.l.
1237-1 POSSIBLE FLEXIBLE HOSE INSTALLATION ERRORS

February 25, 1998

APPLICABLE TO

MS3000, MS5000, MS6000, MS7000, MS9000 including all frame sizes B, E, F,

FA

PURPOSE

To alert gas turbine operators of potential cracking on flexible hoses having

diameters of three (3) inches and above. The potential for cracking occurs when
operating in excess of 150 PSI gage pressure and/- or operating in excess of 366
degrees Fahrenheit (F) when incorrectly installed with excessive offset and/- or
not in a stress free state.

BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION

Note: Flex hose cracks are a potential safety hazard.

Based on GE field experience, at least three flex hose failures have been
reported.

When flex hoses operate at high pressure and temperature, leakage is possible
from a cracked hose. Root cause analysis (RCA) of the failed hoses indicated
that the design "Minimum Bend Radius" had been violated in the as-installed
condition. These hoses did not visibly appear to have a smooth or continuous
arc, or curvature.

This applies to hoses, three (3) inches and above in diameter, operating in
excess of 150 PSI gage pressure, and/- or operating in excess of 366 degrees
Fahrenheit.

Correct installation requires the flex hose to be installed in a "Stress-Free"

condition.
Piping systems where an affected flex hose may exist are: atomizing air,
extraction air, gas fuel, fuel purge, steam injection plus cooling and sealing air.

Figure 1 and 2 show a typical flex hose after the desired installation has been
accomplished. The hose should demonstrate a "Smooth and Uniform" bend or
radius of curvature in one plane only. The examples show the common "Offset"
and "Angular Bend" method typical of hose installation.

Figure 3 shows an example of a flex hose typical of those that have cracked in
service. This hose demonstrates a "Triple Radius" bend that may contain
undesirable stresses. This installed hose shape can be the result of numerous
factors. An example of cause would be excessive compression of the hose
during installation if the relative length was too long.
RECOMMENDATIONS

GE recommends an inspection of affected flex hoses at the first opportunity the

turbine compartment can be accessed safely. If a suspect flex hose is found, it
may require refitting or replacement at the earliest available outage. Contact your
local GE representative to review findings. Correct or replace the hose if it is
determined a triple radius exist.

Flex hoses must be installed in a stress-free state. Excessive force must not be
used to either stretch or compress hoses when fitting between two fixed
members.

Note: The gasket thickness must be credited as a part of the fixed distance when
determining the stress free state. Figure 4 and figure 5 describe installation
tolerances.

In addition to the correction or replacement criteria noted above, modification of

rigid connecting piping maybe required to insure stress free installation. Piping
fabrications connected to flex hose can be cut to remove or add length as
required to assure the flex hose is in a stress free state when final assembly
bolting takes place.
Piping Applied Practice drawing 351A3700, section 14 should be consulted for
reference.

Contact your local GE representative for installation practices that apply.