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TIL 1237-1
GE POWER GENERATION
GLOBAL PRODUCT & TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT
February 5, 1998

TECHNICAL INFORMATION LETTER

fuel purge, steam injection plus cooling and
sealing air.

POSSIBLE FLEXIBLE HOSE

INSTALLATION ERRORS
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.

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.

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,

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.

Printed on recycled paper.

TIL Category: B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J

COPYRIGHT 1998, GE
The information published in this Technical Information Letter 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 many factors not within our knowledge, and since
operation of the plant is in your control and ultimate responsibility for its continuing successful operation rests with you, GE specifically
disclaims any responsibility for liability based on claims for damage of any type, i.e. direct, consequential or special that may be alleged to
have been incurred as 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 other respects responsible for any alleged injury or damage sustained by your organization as a result
of applying this information.

TIL-1237-1
Page 2

Radius-1

Radius-3

Radius-2

Figure 3

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.