EIGA CRYOGENIC GASES

COUPLINGS FOR TANKER

FILLING
EIGA 909/03/E
Revision of TN 522/97

EUROPEAN INDUSTRIAL GASES ASSOCIATION

AVENUE DES ARTS 3-5 • B – 1210 BRUSSELS

Tel : +32 2 217 70 98 • Fax : +32 2 219 85 14
E-mail : info@eiga.org • Internet : http://www.eiga.org
 EIGA 909/03/E

EIGA CRYOGENIC GASES

COUPLINGS FOR
TANKER FILLING

KEYWORDS

• HOSE

• NITROGEN

• OXYGEN

• PRESSURE VESSEL

• PREVENTION

• STORAGE

• TRAINING

• TRANSPORTATION

• LIQUID

Disclaimer
All technical publications of EIGA or under EIGA's name, including Codes of practice, Safety procedures and any other technical
information contained in such publications were obtained from sources believed to be reliable and are based on technical
information and experience currently available from members of EIGA and others at the date of their issuance.

While EIGA recommends reference to or use of its publications by its members, such reference to or use of EIGA's publications by
its members or third parties are purely voluntary and not binding.

Therefore, EIGA or its members make no guarantee of the results and assume no liability or responsibility in connection with the
reference to or use of information or suggestions contained in EIGA's publications.

EIGA has no control whatsoever as regards, performance or non performance, misinterpretation, proper or improper use of any
information or suggestions contained in EIGA's publications by any person or entity (including EIGA members) and EIGA expressly
disclaims any liability in connection thereto.

EIGA's publications are subject to periodic review and users are cautioned to obtain the latest edition.

 EIGA 2003 - EIGA grants permission to reproduce this publication provided the Association is acknowledged as the source

EUROPEAN INDUSTRIAL GASES ASSOCIATION

Avenue des Arts 3-5 B 1210 Brussels Tel +32 2 217 70 98 Fax +32 2 219 85 14
E-mail: info@EIGA.org Internet: http://www.EIGA.org
IGC EIGA 909/03

Table of Contents
1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................................2

2 Scope and Purpose..........................................................................................................................2

2.1 Scope ........................................................................................................................................2
2.2 Purpose.....................................................................................................................................2
3 Definitions.........................................................................................................................................2

4 Design features ................................................................................................................................2

4.1 Product code .............................................................................................................................3
4.2 Drawings ...................................................................................................................................3
4.3 Materials....................................................................................................................................3
5 Manufacturing...................................................................................................................................3

6 Application ........................................................................................................................................4
6.1 Introducing the EIGA coupling ..................................................................................................4
6.2 Adapters....................................................................................................................................4
6.3 Coupling, tightening and uncoupling procedures......................................................................4
Appendix A: Application of codes............................................................................................................5

Appendix B: Recommended connection and disconnection procedure..................................................6

Appendix C: Management of change over to longer EIGA nuts .............................................................7

Appendix D: Drawings for EIGA Coupling DN 60 ...................................................................................8

Appendix E: Prototype testing of the EIGA coupling.............................................................................46

Appendix F: References ........................................................................................................................48

IGC EIGA 909/03

1 Introduction

These days it is common practice for cryogenic transport tanks to be filled at many locations. These
locations may be at competitors production sites and in a number of countries.
Most companies had equipped their transport tanks and filling stations with their own coupling
systems.These systems were different, within the same company and in different countries. As a
consequence many adapters were in use. These had to be made available at the filling stations and
required significant effort to control and use safely.

The use of a standardised filling coupling system, by all cryogenic gas companies, on transport tanks
and at filling stations has avoided the requirement to use adapters and has improved safety.

After initial introduction of the EIGA coupling according to TN 522/97, some problems were identified
by the European gas industry (see EIGA Safety Alert SA-03). The drawings included within this
document include the latest improvements and revisions. The main changes consist in increasing the
length of the code ring and the wall thickness of the nut.

2 Scope and Purpose

2.1 Scope

The EIGA couplings DN 60 are intended for use at the filling connection of all transport tanks and
transport tank filling points where inter company product transfer occur. The use of EIGA couplings is
not intended for gas return connections, if any.

There is no obligation for companies to adopt the EIGA coupling for their normal internal operation.

This document gives detailed information on the coupling. The method of attaching the coupling
halves to the hose and transport tank is outside the scope of this document.

Note: A 40 mm version of the coupling is under development for potential introduction by individually
companies but this is not yet available as an approved coupling.

2.2 Purpose

The aim is to establish a gas specific coupling system for safe transport tank filling (between
companies) without the use of adapters. Therefore this document includes design details for a
coupling system that may be used at production plants to fill transport tanks.

3 Definitions

Cryogenic gas
A deeply refrigerated liquefied gas in accordance with the transport regulations e.g. ADR.

Pressure
In this publication bar shall indicate gauge pressure unless otherwise noted – i.e., (bar, abs) for
absolute pressure and (bar, dif) for differential pressure.

Transport tank
Transport tanks are fixed tanks on tankers, tank trailers, rail cars and tank semi-trailers, demountable
tanks, tank containers including swap bodies and portable tanks.

4 Design features

The coupling is of the conventional large screwed nut type with a PTFE seal on the mating faces. The
nut is mounted on the hose end with the fixed thread on the transport tank end.
The risk of transferring the incorrect cryogenic gas (O2, N2 etc.) is avoided by using a mechanical
coding system which will not allow couplings of different products be connected.

2
IGC EIGA 909/03

4.1 Product code

The unique code for each product is given in the table of appendix A

Further codes may be allocated by EIGA for particular products. Toxicity, flammability, material
compatibility etc. require consideration.

Under no circumstances codes shall be used without EIGA agreement as cross product
contamination may result.
Additional marking is permitted if required. Companies are recommended to mark the transport tank
end as well as the plant hose end wherever practical. Standard recommended product identification
marks are listed in Appendix A e.g. N2, O2.

4.2 Drawings

The drawings for the

• Tanker coupling
• Hose adapter
• Nut ( dimensions)
• Nut ( code no 1 to 16)
• Tanker connector ( dimensions)
• Tanker connector ( code no 1 to 16)
• Seal
• Spanner
are given in appendix D

All dimensions are given in millimetres

The coupling system is designed for a nominal pressure of 40 bar and for a nominal diameter of 60
mm. The coupling system including the codes may be adopted for other diameters or other pressures
only with the agreement by EIGA.

Only necessary functional dimensions are shown. This means that some dimensions are left to the
user’s/ manufacturer’s discretion, depending on the material and its method of forming etc.

Methods of fixing to the transport tank or hose are at the user’s discretion and are not covered except
as detailed on the drawings. An ISO 228G, 2½ (right) thread was used for field trials and is given as
an example.

The performance specification for the coupling was developed by an EIGA working group. Field trials
have been carried out for the coupling system by the gas companies represented in the EIGA working
group.
An extract of the tests and the field trials carried out are given in appendix E.

4.3 Materials

The use of materials other than those shown on the drawings of appendix D shall only be permitted if
their strength, impact and product compatibility properties are proven.

5 Manufacturing

The manufacturer shall design, prototype test, production test, clean and mark the EIGA coupling in
accordance with EN13371 (or to an equivalent recognised code /standard) and in accordance with the
dimensions and markings given in appendix D.

Note: A manufacturer has qualified the EIGA coupling to EN 13371 see "Testing of the EIGA
DN60/PN40 tanker fill system with the TN522/97.02 issue C improved nut", McGEOCH-RTL Ltd,
Birmingham

3
IGC EIGA 909/03

6 Application

6.1 Introducing the EIGA coupling

On the first occasion a coupling is used, reasonable notice shall be agreed between the trading
parties before a product is collected from a particular site.
If companies agree to inter-trade and the receiving transport tank presents an EIGA coupling, the
supplying company must be equipped to fill it.

When retrofitting couplings to the revision identified in appendix D appendix C should be followed.

6.2 Adapters

The use of adapters is permitted but should be avoided if possible.

If adapters are used, to fill a transport tank, only one shall be permitted and it shall be a company
coupling to EIGA coupling adapter on the plant side.
The use of adapters on the transport tank side to modify the EIGA system, for filling, is considered an
unsafe practice due to the difficulties in controlling their use.

6.3 Coupling, tightening and uncoupling procedures

Coupling, tightening and uncoupling procedures are described in appendix B and illustrated in EIGA
Training Package TP 06/02.
The amount of force and the spanner to be used for routine coupling and uncoupling however are
detailed. The spanner has been designed to eliminate hammering. The coupling should be
retightened after cool down.

4
IGC EIGA 909/03

Appendix A: Application of codes

Table for the application of codes

Code N° Mark Product

1 N2 Nitrogen
2 O2 Oxygen
3 Ar-CRUDE Argon

4 Ar Pure Argon

5 Air Synthetic Air

6 Not allocated

7 “

8 “

9 “

10 “

12 “

13 “

14 “

15 N2O Nitrous Oxide

16 CO2 Carbon Dioxide

5
IGC EIGA 909/03

Appendix B: Recommended connection and disconnection procedure

Coupling

Check the seal

Having removed the dust cap, check that the seal is free from obvious particles. (The colour of the
seal gradually becomes dirty looking. This is acceptable. What you should be looking for is grit like
particles that are proud of the surface. These must be wiped clean using approved materials before
coupling is made.)

Correct Alignment

Approach the male fitting with the Stainless Steel plug in the coupling on top. (The lugs on the male
fitting will pass easily through the slots in the code ring on the female nut, when the top of the nut on
the hose is aligned with the top of the male fitting on the trailer)

Make the connection

The more force used to tighten the nut, the more is required to undo it. (the nut continues to contract
after the final tightening because , unlike the other components, it is not in direct contact with the cold
product.)
Do the nut up using only your gloved hands at first (do not use the coupling spanner at this stage)
When the nut begins to frost over and cool down, (It will probably start to leak at this point) push down
on the coupling spanner using only thumb pressure.
DO NOT hit the spanner with your hand or anything else. DO NOT jerk the spanner.

Uncoupling

Unscrewing

The C Spanner should be all that is needed with a clout from the hand. If weather conditions are bad,
it might require a couple of blows from a hammer. If more effort than this is required to undo, then try
to be softer when tightening next time. (Remember all hammer blows inflict damage to the ball
bearings)

Disconnecting

Remember that after unscrewing, the nut has to pass the code ring security. The nut must be
realigned before the final separation. Do this by rotating the nut until the plug is in the top position.
Then pull the coupling apart.

6
IGC EIGA 909/03

Appendix C: Management of change over to longer EIGA nuts

Fill Points

Conversion
All fill points should be changed. However, the increased length of the revised nut on the fill point will
require some tankers to be modified as soon as possible. Therefore the timing of each fill point is to
be at the discretion of the Plant Manager and local distribution people remembering that the original
EIGA couplings if used correctly are safe.

Training
All drivers and all involved persons should be informed that they should not connect the revised EIGA
nut to tankers that have not been tested to check their capability of receiving the nut. (see tankers
below) They also need to be trained to recognise the longer EIGA coupling.

Autoload Systems
Automatic loading systems should be adjusted to ensure that tankers not suitable for loading with the
revised EIGA coupling cannot be connected on the Fill Points fitted with the revised coupling

Tankers

Each Tanker shall be checked to see if there is sufficient clearance for the longer EIGA nut to fit. This
should be done using a sample of the longer EIGA nut as a gauge. If successful the tanker should be
identified in a way that the driver is clearly aware of its suitability to be used with the revised EIGA nut.
If unsuccessful, the tanker should be scheduled for appropriate modification.

Adapters

Adapters should be discouraged, but it is recognised that some adapters are necessary.

Male adapters (Tanker connector) must be checked to ensure that the revised EIGA nut will fit.

7
IGC EIGA 909/03

Appendix D: Drawings for EIGA Coupling DN 60

8
IGC EIGA 909/03

9
IGC EIGA 909/03

10
IGC EIGA 909/03

11
IGC EIGA 909/03

12
IGC EIGA 909/03

13
IGC EIGA 909/03

14
IGC EIGA 909/03

15
IGC EIGA 909/03

16
IGC EIGA 909/03

17
IGC EIGA 909/03

18
IGC EIGA 909/03

19
IGC EIGA 909/03

20
IGC EIGA 909/03

21
IGC EIGA 909/03

22
IGC EIGA 909/03

23
IGC EIGA 909/03

24
IGC EIGA 909/03

25
IGC EIGA 909/03

26
IGC EIGA 909/03

27
IGC EIGA 909/03

28
IGC EIGA 909/03

29
IGC EIGA 909/03

30
IGC EIGA 909/03

31
IGC EIGA 909/03

32
IGC EIGA 909/03

33
IGC EIGA 909/03

34
IGC EIGA 909/03

35
IGC EIGA 909/03

36
IGC EIGA 909/03

37
IGC EIGA 909/03

38
IGC EIGA 909/03

39
IGC EIGA 909/03

40
IGC EIGA 909/03

41
IGC EIGA 909/03

42
IGC EIGA 909/03

43
IGC EIGA 909/03

44
IGC EIGA 909/03

45
IGC EIGA 909/03

Appendix E: Prototype testing of the EIGA coupling

The EIGA coupling system had been developed designed and tested under the supervision of the
EIGA working group AK.. After the coupling system was developed prototypes of the coupling had
been manufactured for prototype- and field-testing. At this time no standard was available so that the
test procedures must be developed by the EIGA working group. As a result of the field testing the
coupling was redesigned to a "light weight" coupling.
The tests carried out their results and their validation by the working group is documented within the
reports of the meetings of the EIGA working group.
The following extracts of the relevant meeting reports show the test carried out for prototype testing
and their results. For the final prototype pressure testing the test reports are attached.
Prototype testing
st
Extract of the minutes of meeting 8 on 1 of March 1995:
...
3.0 Coupling development report
1. Hose adapter, nut, flange all pressure tested by foundry to 60 bar
2. Components assembled and leak tested by MG at 40 bar.
3. 3 couplings overpressure tested at 120 bar for 10 minutes.
4. 3 couplings tested at 60 bar in a bath of LN. A good seal could not be attained in
these conditions without overtorquing with an additional bar on the spanner. It was
accepted that these trials to date do not demonstrate that the coupling can seal
satisfactorily at 40 bar cold, torqued up to levels that meet the requirements of the
directive.
MG to repeat a cold trial, proving acceptable sealing at 40 bar with coupling torqued
upto levels meeting the requirements of the directive. (NB a maximum force of 95N
was agreed as the acceptable level ref. 5 of meeting 28 April 1992). MG
5. An overpressure test on one coupling, at LN temp was carried out. Various tests
reached pressures around 360 bar requiring relightening and resealing. The
maximum pressure, attained was limited due to mainseal relaxation due to balls being
pressed into the race.
With a further leakage identified on the hose and throated joint, a final test of 505 bar
was achieved with failure occurring by the end plug blowing out through the enlarged
dia threat. No main seal problems were experienced and no further coupling damage
was identified other than original ball race deformation. The results of this trial were
accepted.
6. A pressure cycling test was carried out on 3 coupling assemblies. 10,000 cycles upto
40 bar. Some leakage was experienced and possibly some dimensional drift
experienced but by the end of the cycles no failure had occurred and dimensions
were stable. The results of this trial were accepted.
.....
Field trials report
Extract of the minutes of meeting 9 on 22 June1995:
....
1. Review of field trials report back
Praxair
Completed over 120 connections. Report back generally good although one seal was replaced due to
a leak. The seal was examined and it was unclear where the leak could have occurred (marks on seal
looked to be consistent with removal damage).
....
Linde
2 couplings fitted, one now out of service. 80 couplings completed. One seal change. Problem
reported with difficulties in breaking coupling due to probably ice formation.

Extract of the minutes of meeting 10 on 11 January1996:

2. Field tests,
BOC have now completed 100 connections. Initial trial had major problems due to depth of ball
bearing plug. Once rectified the remaining 80 connections were very good (one seal used).
The plug problem has been addressed by substituting the plug for a headed bolt of controlled length
in the re-design.

46
IGC EIGA 909/03

Air Liquide have carried out 94 connections with very satisfactory performance reported.
AP have carried out 88 recorded (but now in excess of 150).
....
Redesign of the prototype
Extract of the minutes of meeting 9 on 22 June1995:
......
2. Coupling redesign
Following an earlier design review on the first production coupling, weight, size and cost savings were
seen as possible.
Analysis of the thread following testing has shown minimal wear and distortion and indications
supported by calculation s are that the thread was over designed.
The new proposal on the thread is to have a minimum of one complete turn and one entrance and
one exit. The entrance and exit ensures that a complete turn is 1/3 turn clear of the thread entrance or
exit. Entrance and exit parts of the thread are cut back to give a minimum of 1 mm thread width.
Expected thread engagement is 2 1/4 - 2 1/2 turns due to overrun of the nut but the "design" thread
engagement has been reduced from 33/12=2.75minus the entrance and exit clean up to 14/8=1.74
minus entrance and exit clean up.
The proposed thread diameter and pitch is to deviate from the original 90mm x (12pitch) which is
preferred ISO standard size and will be 90mm x (8 pitch) on nut and 89mm on the static part. The
pitch is the same as used on the current MG 65mm coupling (105mm x 8).
....
A change to the ball retaining plug is proposed using a plug with a shoulder and lock washer (in place
of the straight plug held in by peening).
...
The minimum allowable wall thickness in the coupling area (taking into account tolerances) has been
reduced to 4.5mm based on the satisfactory survival of the overpressure test reaching in excess of
500 bar.
.........
Retesting of the lighter weight coupling
Extract of the minutes of meeting 10 on 11 January1996:
.......
3.3. Retesting of the lighter weight coupling will include:
- a high pressure water test of 60 bar
- a high pressure water bursting test
- a cryogenic 40 bar working pressure test.
- no repeat of fatigue testing is proposed.
- repeat field testing is proposed.
......

Testing the longer EIGA nut

In order to eliminate the problems identified (refer to EIGA Safety Alert SA-03), a new working group
has been created. The technical solution agreed by the working group has been the modification of
the nut, which is now longer and thicker.

The following tests have been carried out satisfactorily:

- cross connection tests

- 500 times connect-unconnect operation followed by pressure test
- field tests including daily operation, mix-up trials, dropping and overdriving
- leak test at cryogenic temperature.

47
IGC EIGA 909/03

Appendix F: References

EIGA TN 522/97, "Eiga Cryogenic Gases Couplings for Tanker Filling"

EN 13371, "Cryogenic Vessels - Couplings for Cryogenic Service"

"Testing of the EIGA DN60/PN40 tanker fill system with the TN522/97.02 issue C improved nut",
McGEOCH-RTL Ltd, Birmingham

EIGA TP 06/02, "Eiga Couplings Driver Training"

st
Minutes of meeting 8 of EIGA coupling group AK, 1 March 1995

Minutes of meeting 9 of EIGA coupling group AK, 22 June 1995

Minutes of meeting 10 of EIGA coupling group AK, 11January 1996

th
Minutes of meeting 1 of EIGA coupling working group (WG6), 16 May 2001
th
Minutes of meeting 2 of EIGA coupling working group (WG6), 12 September 2001
nd
Minutes of meeting 3 of EIGA coupling working group (WG6), 22 November 2001
th
Minutes of meeting 4 of EIGA coupling working group (WG6), 5 February 2002
th
Minutes of meeting 5 of EIGA coupling working group (WG6), 14 May 2002
th
Minutes of meeting 6 of EIGA coupling working group (WG6), 28 August 2002

48