Flanges are primarily used to create connections in piping systems, allowing for easy assembly, maintenance, and modification.
Connecting Components in Piping Systems
Based on the provided reference, flanges serve a crucial role in piping infrastructure by acting as connecting interfaces. They are designed to connect pipes with each other, forming continuous pipelines. Beyond just pipes, flanges are also used to connect piping systems to various other essential components, including:
- Valves: To control the flow of fluids or gases.
- Fittings: Such as elbows, tees, and reducers, which change the direction or size of the pipe.
- Specialty items: Equipment like strainers (to filter debris) and pressure vessels (containers for liquids or gases under pressure).
Furthermore, a cover plate can be connected to a flange, creating what is known as a "blind flange". This effectively closes off the end of a pipe or opening on a vessel or equipment, often used for isolation or future connection points.
The connection between two flanges (or a flange and a flanged component) is typically achieved by bolting. To ensure a leak-tight seal, especially under pressure, sealing is often completed with the use of gaskets or other methods.
Key Applications and Benefits
Flanges offer significant advantages over permanent joining methods like welding in many applications. Their bolted nature provides flexibility and ease of access.
Here are some key reasons why flanges are preferred:
- Ease of Assembly and Disassembly: Flanged joints can be easily bolted together or unbolted, which simplifies installation, inspection, cleaning, and replacement of piping components like valves or sections of pipe.
- Maintenance and Repair: When a component needs maintenance or repair, the section can be easily isolated and removed by unbolting the flanges, without needing to cut the pipe.
- Flexibility: They allow for connecting different types of materials and components with standard interfaces.
- Reliability: When properly installed with appropriate gaskets and bolts, flanged connections provide a robust and leak-resistant joint capable of handling high pressures and temperatures.
- Creating Blind Ends: As mentioned, blind flanges provide a simple way to cap off pipelines or openings temporarily or permanently.
In summary, flanges are indispensable components in many industrial and commercial systems where reliable, maintainable, and flexible connections are required between pipes and equipment.
