Swivel joint layout ----- achieving maximum

flexibility in high pressure pumping systems.

Pump

Style 50
Style 10

NOTE: (7) swivels

Style 50

Freedom of movement in both

vertical and horizontal planes.
Reference Engineering
Bulletin 124C Rev. 1
Background:

• Flexibility is required for the connection of high pressure pumping

components to protect both equipment and personnel.

• Swivel joints hooked-up properly to flow lines satisfy this requirement.

• Movement and vibration are inherent to high pressure equipment and

reciprocating pumps move as a natural part of their operation. The pulsation
from pumped fluids are also transmitted to the flow lines. This movement
and vibration place large stresses on the equipment.

• The solution is to isolate this movement to prevent damage to the various

components. Swivel joints are ideal for this purpose provided they are used
in accordance with proper techniques.

• Proper application of swivel joints in high pressure flow lines is addressed

in this presentation.

Reference Engineering
Bulletin 124C Rev. 1
Swivel Joint Facts:

• A swivel joint is a device made up of a combination of swivel connections

and elbows. The pressure tight swivel connections allow one side of the
connection to rotate relative to the other side along the axis of the center-
line of the fluid bore while under pressure. The swivel joint style is a
designation defining the number of swivel connections and elbows used
in a swivel joint. The two styles most used in high pressure pumping
applications are the styles 50 and 10.

• The number and orientation of swivel joints required to handle motion

created by pressure pulsation and vibration in high pressure pumping
applications is critical in order to avoid loads and stress to all flow line
equipment. A degree of freedom is required for each kind of linear or ro-
tational motion applied to the flow line.

• To achieve flexibility in all directions 7 swivels may be required in a flow line

off reciprocating pump discharge and manifold trailer hook-up.

• Complete flexibility must be provided on both sides of any restriction to

movement. Reference Engineering
Bulletin 124C Rev. 1
Techniques:

• Before flow line rig-up be conscious of the placement of all equipment and
any possible movement or source of vibration. Swivel joint flow lines are
providing protection of the equipment and personnel by isolating movement
and vibration as well as simply acting as connecting devices.

• To provide complete freedom of movement, 7 swivels (degrees of freedom)

must be used between two fixed points or any restriction to movement, such
as the ground, structures or other equipment. 2 style 50’s and 1 style 10
properly aligned with pup joints would achieve the desired flexibility.

• Anchoring Effects- During rig-up avoid any restriction to movement, i.e. the
ground, structures etc., or layout conditions that may place the swivels in a
bind preventing free movement. Any such restrictions will result in creation
of stress on the very equipment the swivels are working to protect. When the
flow line is anchored as described, whether by the ground or other restriction
the point of restriction is acting as a fixed point. Complete freedom of move-
ment must be provided on each side of this fixed point.

Reference Engineering
Bulletin 124C Rev. 1
Techniques continued:

Lining Things Up- As the flow line is laid out, link-ups are made between
a series of swivel joints. This “section of flow line” is completely free to
move between the connection points. All of the movement is to take place
between the swivels. Note: It doesn’t matter where the pup joints are lo-
cated because they neither add nor detract from the freedom of movement.
It is vitally important there is no restriction of movement caused by the
flow line lying on the ground or against other pieces of equipment.

FMC offers a kit of miniature models for experimenting with flexibility and
degrees of freedom. Contact your FMC representative.

Examples of good and sub-optimal rig ups appear in the attachement.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND OPERATING

PROCEDURES CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH,
AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE

Reference Engineering
Bulletin 124C Rev. 1
Good rig-ups! No restrictions to flexibility

Reference Engineering
Bulletin 124C Rev. 1
Fair rig-up! Enough swivels in the line from pump to allow good movement.
The line actually moves considerably up to the point it entered the trailer and
that swivel prevents stress on the tee, but “grounding” of the swivels can
inhibit flexibility and transfer stress to the tees.
Reference Engineering
Bulletin 124C Rev. 1
Good rig-up ------- If the swivel touching the ground is free
to move! If its grounded there is not enough freedom of
movement with only a style 50 at the tee.
Reference Engineering
Bulletin 124C Rev. 1
Bad rig-up! Any lengthwise movement of the pup joints
puts stress on the tees.

Reference Engineering
Bulletin 124C Rev. 1
Bad rig-up! Longitudinal force along pup joint would place
upward force (stress) on tee.

Reference Engineering
Bulletin 124C Rev. 1
Good rig-up If swivel on the ground can move!

Reference Engineering
Bulletin 124C Rev. 1
Fair rig-up! Line to the well will move as long as
grounded swivel moves but layout doesn’t allow for
any up and down motion.
Reference Engineering
Bulletin 124C Rev. 1
Bad rig-up! The line going off to the right can’t
move along its longitudinal axis.

Reference Engineering
Bulletin 124C Rev. 1
Bad rig-up! Won’t allow pump to move vertically or
horizontally thereby creating stress on pump and
connected equipment.
Reference Engineering
Bulletin 124C Rev. 1
Bad rig-up! All three lines at the frac head lack
the flexibility needed to prevent fatigue of the
connections on the head itself.
Reference Engineering
Bulletin 124C Rev. 1