Floating suction pipes

Silean floating suction pipes are designed for storage tanks where the goal is to extract the cleanest possible liquid from just below the surface. This solution prevents impurities and water accumulated at the bottom from entering the process. Floating suction pipes are suitable for both aboveground and underground tanks and are especially used for aviation fuels, fuels, chemicals, and other industrial liquids.

Structure and Operating Principle

A floating suction pipe consists of the following main components:

• Swivel joint for tank connection, allowing the suction pipe to move with the liquid surface
• Float, which keeps the suction inlet just below the liquid surface
• Suction pipe, which can be made of aluminium, carbon steel, or stainless steel (AISI 304/316)
• Suction strainer and adjustable foot, preventing large particles and bottom sediment from being drawn in
• Stainless steel guide cable

The structure of the suction pipe is always customized according to the tank dimensions and intended use. Both single-arm and double-arm models are available for different tank geometries.

Features and Benefits

• Especially suitable for aviation fuels (no yellow metal components)
• Maintenance-free design, reducing the need for filter and separator maintenance
• Triple-sealed and permanently lubricated double bearing joints, designed for submerged operation
• Pipe sizes: 1½”–20″ (most common sizes 2–6″)

Technical Data

• Flow range: 9–1400 m³/h
• Design temperature: -15°C … +65°C
• Test pressure: 3 bar (up to 10 bar in swivel joints)
• Materials: aluminium, carbon steel, stainless steel (AISI 304/316)
• Seals: Viton, HNBR, PTFE, FKM, FFKM, EPDM
• Standards: API, ASTM, ANSI, TTMA
• Approvals: ATEX, PED, EAC, ISO 9001:2015

Applications

• Storage tanks for aviation fuels (Jet A1, kerosene)
• Storage tanks for fuels, chemicals, and industrial liquids
• Aboveground and underground tanks, including floating roof tanks
• Also suitable for food and process industry liquids