Flange Management Guide
Flange Management Guide
Flange Management Guide
Eliminating problems at source is the key to improving plant efficiency and safety whilst at the same time reducing maintenance costs.
As a manufacturer and supplier of high-performance metallic gaskets for critical applications in the oil, gas and chemical industries, James Walker Moorflex recognises the importance of protecting these critical components under operational conditions.
Total management
Whilst the flange protector band protects the gasket, flange faces and internal section of the bolts or studs, the complete flange management package from James Walker Moorflex includes protection for the exposed heads of the fasteners with high-quality, bolt head protection caps. In instances where there is contact between dissimilar metals at a joint or there is a need for electrical isolation or elimination of explosion risk, the James Walker Moorflex flange management package includes a comprehensive range of flange insulation kits. These offer protection in three key ways;
Uncorroded assemblies are quicker and easier to disassemble and rebuild Reduced wastage as bolts can be reused Gaskets last longer and flange joint integrity is maintained Reduced product loss through leakage Improved safety and production efficiency No costly machining or repair of flanges required
Effective isolation at flange joints to ensure the efficient operation of cathodic protection systems on stainless steel pipelines. Minimise or eliminate risk of explosion by providing electrical insulation to prevent ignition sparks where volatile fluids are being transferred through a pipeline. Prevention of galvanic corrosion by eliminating direct contact between the opposing surfaces where dissimilar metals meet at a flange joint.
Flange protectors
Flange protectors are designed to protect studs and gaskets on raised face and ring type joint flanges from atmospheric corrosion encountered in chemical plants, refineries, gas plants, offshore platforms, onshore oil fields, ships, paper mills and underground pipelines. James Walker Moorflex flange protectors are made from stainless steel with a bonded, closed-cell neoprene sponge liner, and stainless grease fittings. Packed with Corrosion Inhibitor Grease these bands protect against build-ups from corrosive and salt environments and flanges remain safe from hazardous, unsightly corrosion that can cause leakage, failure, or even shutdown of equipment.
Reduce leaks and maximise plant uptime Keep expensive product loss to a minimum Reduces installation times by a factor of six Reduces all aspects of bolted joint maintenance
Cost-effective Reduces corrosion Fits in minutes without splitting the flange Re-usable Available for all flange sizes Standard materials suitable for up to 120C
Standard stainless flange protectors are a stock item available for immediate dispatch. The product can also be manufactured to order in a wider range of alternative materials to suit specific application requirements.
Bolt protection
Easy to fit, tough, durable and cost effective; these precisionmanufactured caps for bolts, bolt ends, nuts and screws have been specially developed to provide almost total protection against corrosion, humidity and operational damage. Used extensively across a broad cross-section of industrial sectors - particularly offshore, wind energy, processing, transport and manufacturing - bolt head caps reduce maintenance costs and downtime. James Walker Moorflex can provide caps from stock to suit almost every bolted joint application.
Flange insulation
The transfer of volatile fluids through pipeline systems can create explosive conditions, which could be ignited by stray electrical currents, either from cathodic protection systems or the phenomenon known as 'eddy currents'. This potentially disastrous situation can be minimised or eliminated through the installation of appropriate flange insulation sets at strategic points. Even when there is no risk of explosion, contact between dissimilar metals at a flange joint will result in accelerated corrosion of the weaker material due to galvanic corrosion. Such contact can be eliminated by adopting the James Walker Moorflex total flange management approach including the installation of the correct flange insulation set.
Protect bolts and fasteners Increase product life Reduce maintenance costs and bolt wastage Enhance safety
Type D
Type E
Type F
Type G
In order to achieve optimum results it is essential that flange insulation sets follow certain key design criteria:
The electrical resistance properties of the components are balanced for the purpose and location in the insulation system. The components are manufactured from insulating materials with high compressive strength and good stability. Under no circumstances should materials which express cold flow properties be used, as relaxation may occur after bolt tightening is completed. This will result in a reduction in the load applied to the gasket and leakage will take place.
James Walker Moorflex offers four different set designs catering for many different flange sizes, specifications and arrangements - including those with 'O' ring grooves or handling very high pressures.
Type D
Utilising an oval section gasket manufactured from a suitable insulating material, Type D sets fit into a standard RTJ flange ring groove.
James Walker Moorflex flange insulation sets comprise the following components to ensure that full electrical isolation is achieved. 1 - Central insulating gasket which is fitted between the flanges. 1 - Insulating sleeve per flange bolt. 2 - Insulating washers per flange bolt. 2 - Metal backup washers per flange bolt.
Type E
This style is suitable for raised face and flat flanges. The use of a full face gasket reduces the risk of electrical bridging and the ingress of foreign matter between the flanges.
Type F
These sets are suitable for raised face flanges, and use a central gasket which locates inside the bolt circle of the flange. Whilst not being as efficient as Type E sets, they have the advantage of allowing fitting without complete separation of the flange, and may be regarded as drop in gaskets.
Materials Gaskets: Neoprene-faced phenolic. Washers: reinforced phenolic or plated mild steel. Sleeves: polyester or DuPont Mylar .
Type G
This style is available in both full face and inside bolt circle versions and incorporates an elastomeric sealing ring in the gasket faces. Appropriate selection of insulating and sealing materials provides a versatile set with higher chemical and temperature resistance.
CENTRAL GASKET
NEOPRENE FACED PAPER REINFORCED PHENOLIC PLAIN COTTON REINFORCED PHENOLIC HIGH DIELECTRIC STRENGTH CNAF COTTON REINFORCED PHENOLIC WITH NITRILE SEALS GLASS REINFORCED EPOXY WITH VITON SEALS PLASTIC COATED SOFT IRON 100 115 400 115 155 500 200 350 200 500 0.6 0.5 5 0.6 0.1 168 300 300 400 -
INSULATION SLEEVES
REINFORCED PHENOLIC SPIRALLY WOUND POLYESTER MYLAR SPIRALLY WOUND NOMEX 80 120 220 200 700 0.6 0.5 N/A N/A N/A
INSULATION WASHERS
COTTON REINFORCED PHENOLIC GLASS REINFORCED PHENOLIC GLASS REINFORCED EPOXY 115 140 155 200 175 500 0.5 0.4 0.1 300 400 400
Water absorption %
Type G Set
Type D Set
Type E Set
Type F Set
Max Temp 0C
These technical guides give details on many of the sealing products and services supplied by James Walker. Please ask for your copies, or visit our website www.jameswalker.biz where they can be downloaded in pdf format.
Metal seals & components for the Oil & Gas industry
Joint Integrity Programme Gasket Technology Guide Joint Integrity Programme Gasket Technology Guide
Metal Seals & Components Oil & Gas Industry Metal Seals Components products guide for the Oil&& Gas Industry Elastomer Sealing Guide for the Oil & Gas Industry
Please ask for your copy of these free guides which give detailed technical information on the products and services supplied by James Walker to the Oil & Gas industry. Please ask for your personal copies, or visit our website www.jameswalker.biz where many of them can be downloaded in pdf form.
Health warning: If PTFE or fluoroelastomer (eg, FKM, FFKM, FEPM) products are heated to elevated temperatures, fumes will be produced which may give unpleasant effects, if inhaled. Whilst some fumes are emitted below 250C from fluoroelastomers or below 300C from PTFE, the effect at these temperatures is negligible. Care should be taken to avoid contaminating tobacco with particles of PTFE or fluoroelastomer, or with PTFE dispersion, which may remain on hands or clothing. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available on request. Information in this publication and otherwise supplied to users is based on our general experience and is given in good faith, but because of factors which are outside our knowledge and control and affect the use of products, no warranty is given or is to be implied with respect to such information. Unless governed by type approval or contract, specifications are subject to change without notice. Statements of operating limits quoted in this publication are not an indication that these values can be applied simultaneously. To ensure you are working with the very latest product specifications, please consult the relevant section of the James Walker website: www.jameswalker.biz. Environmental statement: This brochure is manufactured using advanced environmentally friendly technologies and follows the strict environmental standard BS EN ISO 14001. Made from chlorine-free pulp (ECF) with post-consumer recycled fibre obtained from sustainable wood forests, and printed using vegetable-based inks, by Binfield Printers Ltd. For those who wish to reduce further their impact on the environment, this publication is also available as a PDF from: www.jameswalker.biz.
James Walker Moorflex Ltd John Escritt Road, Bingley, James Walker Moorflex Ltd West Escritt Yorkshire BD16 2BS UK John Road, Bingley, T: +44 (0)1274BD16 56 222BS 11 UK West Yorkshire F: +44 +44 (0)1274 (0)1274 56 5622 6611 23 T: E:+44 sales.moorflex.uk@jameswalker.biz F: (0)1274 56 66 23 E: sales.moorflex.uk@jameswalker.biz For further information on James Walker products and services please visit:
Information in this publication and otherwise supplied to users is based on our general experience and is given in good faith, but because of factors which are outside our knowledge and control and affect the use of products, no warranty is given or is to be implied with respect to such information. Specifications are subject to change without notice. Statements of operating limits quoted in this publication are not an indication that these values can be applied simultaneously. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available on request.
Registered Office: Lion House, Oriental Road, Woking, Surrey GU22 8AP , United Kingdom. Reg. No. 575005 England Registered Office: Lion House, Oriental Road, Woking, Surrey GU22 8AP , United Kingdom. Reg No. 2432592 England James Walker 2009 James Walker 2011