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Applications & Background

Actually no, and not doing this is also better for the material surface. Pickling was done in the time when stainless-steel tubing and fittings were welded by hand and the material surface in the HAZ was burned in the process. Pickling was done to restore the corrosion resistance, and is actually no more than an accelerated oxidation process with the aid of a chemical. These chemicals have been improved over the last few years, but in a system with branches, differences in diameter and flow angles it is impossible to have this process done in a controlled way. (Specifically in terms of exposure time and temperature). Passivation is nothing more than the restoration of the closed oxide layer, which again with the aid of chemicals is accelerated. The same result can be obtained by blowing air through the installation for about 24 hours.
SF stands for Surface Finish which indicates the roughness of the material surface. Currently, only SF1 and SF4 are still being used. SF1 has a metal blank surface with a surface roughness of Ra ≤ 0.5 µm (0.0005 mm). This can be further electro-polished to obtain a SF4 quality with a surface roughness of Ra ≤ 0.375 µ (0.0000375 mm). Mathematically, a negligible difference. However, when you look at this through the eyes of a bacterium - or the eyes of the process owner, there are very large differences emerged with respect to the existing risks and cleaning times.
Rouging is the discoloration of a stainless steel surface due to high temperatures, and will always occur in WFI systems with working temperatures of 72˚C or higher. Stainless steel also has an oxide layer which forms under exposure to oxygen. We call this the passive layer. When the formation of this layer stops due to lack of oxygen and it is exposed to constant high temperatures, coloration from light yellow to dark brown occurs. This phenomenon is internationally known as Rouging. It has no negative effect on the quality of the WFI, but is merely an aesthetic issue.
In a WFI system with a working temperature of 72˚C or higher, Rouging cannot be prevented, and discoloration of the material surface will take place. However in SF1 quality systems the Rouging process can be delayed by not using pickling. Another option is to use SF4 quality. This electro-polished version has a lower surface roughness, thereby less contact surface, resulting in less Rouging. It goes without saying that pickling of SF4 quality should never be done.
Yes absolutely, in addition to the standards as defined in the latest version of the ASM-BPE all of our products are cleaned according to the ASTM A632-S3 norm prior to packaging. This cleaning norm is applicable to all tubes and fittings. Thereby your entire stock is both stable and versatile.
Yes, absolutely. For gasses with a purity of 5.0 use our quality SF1. For transportation of gasses of 8.0 (with a purity of 99,9999990 %), use the electro-polished version SF4.

Transport and delivery

No fees will be charged for shipping fittings, packaging, material-certificates or alloy surcharge for delivery in Europe when the total cost of the order is € 200 or more. Please send an email when you need the shipping costs for tube (transported in 6,2 meter wooden crates/protective tubes. All rates are net exclusive of VAT. Only shipping costs are charged outside Europe.
When placing your order via the web shop you can indicate whether you would like to collect the order yourself. You are very welcome to collect your order from our location: Fluorietweg 16C, 1812RR Alkmaar, the Netherlands between 08:30 and 17:00, also during weekends and holidays. We will have your order and a cup of coffee/tea waiting for you.
When entering your order you can specify the delivery date or time of the week. In most cases we will be able to choose the right carrier to comply with your wishes. Sometimes delivery on a specific date is not possible (for instance with shipping lengths of tubing); should this be the case we will notify you beforehand. There is a possibility that additional costs may be incurred with certain shipments, again you will be informed of this in advance.
An order placed before 17:00 hours will be shipped the same day* Delivery to your location in the Benelux and Germany is usually within two working days, and for the UK, France and Denmark (and other countries in Europe) within 3 working days. If there is a need for specialized transport we will inform you about additional costs prior to shipping. The best carrier is selected based on the composition and volume of your order; the criteria used for this are: • Intended delivery time • Weight, size and volume of your order • The location of delivery * (Special circumstances and force majeure reserved)

Payment and payment term

There are two methods for payment: • You can pay by bank account with a due date of 30 days. When your order leaves our warehouse we automatically send a digital invoice to the email address specified by you. The amount shown in the invoice must be credited to our bank account within 30 days. • Prior to shipment. We send an invoice with a 4% discount. As soon as the invoice is credited on our bank account, your order is shipped.

Returns

Yes, CSE-BPE gives you the opportunity to return products when the packaging has not been opened and both product and packaging are not damaged. If you wish to return products please send an email to: info@cse-bpe.com stating the amount and specifications of the fittings. Then send the products (at your own risk and cost) to our location at Fluorietweg 16C, 1812RR Alkmaar, the Netherlands. We will inspect the goods within 2 working days of receipt, and notify you of our findings by email. Our standard reimbursement is 50% of the original purchase price, which we will credit within one week of inspection. Products that are not accepted for return - like specials, produced on request - will not be credited and will remain available for you for a duration of 4 weeks after our receipt of them.
CSE-BPE gives you a 14 day return window for products with undamaged and unopened packaging. The period starts the day after your date of receipt of the products. You can return your products without explanation to our location at Fluorietweg 16C, 1812RR Alkmaar, the Netherlands. After inspection we will fully refund your order.

Quotation

Absolutely, although this will result in exactly the same pricing and conditions as offered on the website, we are happy to provide this service. Please send your order request to info@bpe-technology.com or call +31 652 407 462, and we will send you our quote with pricing and delivery times the same day.

Background of the ASME-BPE

ASME-BPE is made up from two abbreviations, the “the American Society for Mechanical Engineers” who in 1997 published a handbook with recommendations for the design of process installations in the Bio-, and Pharmaceutical industry. This book was titled “BioProcessing-Equipment” The first edition was brief but a great success in the USA. The engineers no longer had to figure out which components and what specs to use, as now they could relay on the experience and knowledge of matter experts and their recommendations. The ASME-BPE came to Europe in 1998-1999 but was not received as well as in the USA. Reason for this was that the European standard for critical tubing systems used a higher surface finish, and the use of AISI 316 was not common. In Europe AISI 316L was used with an ingredient number like 1.4404 or 1.4435, as this has a better corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of stainless steel. Also the producers and distributors where not very enthusiastic as the ASME-BPE had a choice of 12 different surface qualities/conditions. This meant large amounts of stock, often the wrong type….. Under pressure of Europe additional demands where added to the material composition of AISI 316. Also on demand of the USA market the amount of Sulphur in the material was limited. This to enhance the possibility to weld the material and obtain better reproduce ability in welded joints/connections. This was important as in that time (2001-2002) often Orbital TIG welding was demanded, though not frequently used. The limitation on the amount of Sulphur might have had a positive effect, but the most important step was taken by the producers of Stainless steel. They, at a certain moment, have decided to decrease the percentage of impurities/contamination, which resulted in a substantial improvement in weldability. From that moment slag-spots on the weld seam and other nasty phenomenon’s did no longer result in high percentages of rejection. The ASME-BPE has published a new issue every 2 or 3 years since 1997, and is now the most important guide in aforementioned industries. Specifications are very clear for the user and the availability of products optimal, specially as now only two qualities are used, SF1 and SF4. Wherever in the world you buy your gaskets, fittings, valves or pumps, production of these is for over 85% situated in Asia. From here large distribution centres on different continents are supplied. These sometime also use the products to assemble their own products. From here agents and distributors in different countries are supplied, which in turn will deliver, hopefully directly, to the installing company. A long delivery path where margin is stacked upon margin resulting in high-end prices. Whenever you should have any further questions on ASME-BPE please let us know, as we ‘re happy to shine some light.

FAQ

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