Different Types of Flanges

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Different Types of Flanges: An Overview

• Flanges are critical components in piping systems, facilitating the connection of pipes, valves, pumps, and other equipment.
• They provide a reliable means for assembly and disassembly, ensuring ease of maintenance and inspection.
• Understanding the various types of flanges and their applications is essential for selecting the right flange for specific industrial requirements.
• Here, we delve into the common types of flanges used in various industries.

Weld Neck Flange

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Description: Weld neck flanges have a long, tapered hub that gradually merges with the pipe. The flange is welded to the pipe, ensuring strong, leak-proof connections.

Applications: Suitable for high-pressure and high-temperature applications, such as in oil and gas pipelines, refineries, and power plants.

Advantages:

• High strength and resistance to dishing.
• Reduces stress concentration at the base of the flange.

Slip-On Flange

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Description: Slip-on flanges are designed to slide over the pipe and are welded both inside and outside to provide strength and prevent leaks.

Applications: Common in low-pressure and low-temperature systems, such as in water lines and process plants.

Advantages:

• Easier to align than weld neck flanges.
• Cost-effective and simpler installation.

Blind Flange

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Description: Blind flanges are used to close the end of a pipe, valve, or equipment nozzle. They do not have a bore and are primarily used for sealing purposes.

Applications: Suitable for testing pressure systems and closing off pipeline ends in various industries.

Advantages:

• Provides easy access to the piping system for maintenance and inspection.
• Ensures complete isolation of the piping system.

Socket Weld Flange

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Description: Socket weld flanges have a socket into which the pipe is inserted and then fillet welded at the top. This design ensures smooth bore and good flow characteristics.

Applications: Ideal for small-diameter, high-pressure piping systems, such as in hydraulic and steam lines.

Advantages:

• Provides strong, leak-proof connections.
• Suitable for high-pressure applications with small diameters.

Lap Joint Flange

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Description: Lap joint flanges are used with a stub end, where the flange can rotate around the pipe. The stub end is welded to the pipe, and the flange can be bolted to another flange.

Applications: Common in systems requiring frequent disassembly for inspection and cleaning, such as in food processing and pharmaceuticals.

Advantages:

• Provides flexibility for aligning bolt holes.
• Reduces labor costs for assembly and disassembly.

Threaded Flange

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Description: Threaded flanges have a thread inside the flange bore that matches the external thread on the pipe. They are screwed onto the pipe without welding.

Applications: Suitable for low-pressure, non-cyclic applications, such as in water and air services.

Advantages:

• Easy installation without welding.
• Ideal for applications where welding is not feasible.

Reducing Flange

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Description: Reducing flanges are used to connect pipes of different diameters. They have a smaller bore that fits the smaller pipe, facilitating a transition between different sizes.

Applications: Common in systems where pipes of varying diameters need to be connected, such as in chemical plants and processing industries.

Advantages:

• Provides an efficient way to transition between pipe sizes.
• Maintains the integrity and performance of the piping system.

Orifice Flange

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Description: Orifice flanges are used with orifice meters for measuring the flow rate of fluids. They have tapped holes for meter connections and pressure taps.

Applications: Widely used in flow measurement systems in the oil and gas industry, and in chemical processing.

Advantages:

• Facilitates accurate measurement of flow rates.
• Integrates easily with orifice meters and other measurement devices.

 

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