Good Evening Today I am going to have a presentation about Flanges.

Lets go to the objective of today's presentation. We all are here for the following few reasons

1.To Understand the purpose and importance of pipe flanges.

2.To Identify different types of pipe flanges.
3.To Learn about flange materials and their applications.
4.To Understand the basic terminology related to pipe flanges.

So let's check what a pipe flange is?

So pipe flanges are Mechanical components used to connect pipes, valves, and other
equipment together. Flanges provide means of joining sections of pipe, allowing for easy
assembly, disassembly, and maintenance of the system. During joining of two pipes we will be
using these pipe flanges, flanges along with suitable gaskets between them to provide a secure
and leak-proof connection. Flanges are also used for supporting pipes under high pressure and
temperature. They also facilitate alignment during installation.

Lets now check some types of Flanges

1. Weld Neck Flanges:

These flanges have a long tapered neck that is welded to the pipe. The design provides a
strong and reliable connection, particularly suitable for high-pressure and high-temperature
applications. The tapered neck helps to reduce stress concentration and provides excellent
flow characteristics.

2. Slip-On Flanges:

These flanges have a slightly larger diameter than the pipe and are designed to slide over the
pipe. Once in place, they are typically welded on both the inside and outside to ensure a
secure connection. Slip-on flanges are popular because they are relatively easier to align and
install. They are commonly used in low-pressure applications and systems where frequent
disassembly is not required.

3. Socket Weld Flanges:

These flanges have a socket-like end that fits over the pipe. The pipe is inserted into the
socket, and then fillet welded on the outside. Socket weld flanges offer good flow
characteristics due to the smooth transition from the pipe to the flange. They are commonly
used in smaller pipe sizes and high-pressure systems.

4. Threaded Flanges:

These flanges have internal threads that match the pipe's external threads. They are screwed
onto the pipe, providing a reliable connection. Threaded flanges are convenient for assembly
 and disassembly, making them suitable for applications that require frequent maintenance or
where welding is not possible. They are commonly used in low-pressure systems and
smaller pipe sizes.

5. Blind Flanges:

These flanges are solid discs that are used to close the end of a pipe or vessel. They do not
have an opening or bore. Blind flanges are typically used to seal off a pipe or vessel
temporarily or permanently. They are also used in piping systems where future expansion or
branch connections may be required. Some key features and uses of blind flanges are:

Sealing: The primary purpose of a blind flange is to seal the end of a pipe or vessel to prevent
the flow of fluid or gas. It provides a positive leak-proof closure, isolating the system and
preventing any leakage or contamination.

Maintenance and inspection: Blind flanges are commonly used during maintenance or
inspection activities. By installing a blind flange, the pipeline can be temporarily closed off,
allowing work to be performed on the downstream section without interrupting the flow in
the rest of the system.

Flange isolation: Blind flanges can be used to isolate sections of a pipeline or vessel from
the rest of the system. This is particularly useful when repairs or modifications need to be
made to a specific section without affecting the overall operation. This can be also useful for
sealing the pipeline for future expansion etc.

6. Lap Joint Flanges:

These flanges consist of two components: the stub end and the actual flange. The stub end
is welded to the pipe, while the flange is free to rotate around the stub end. Lap joint flanges
are used in combination with stub ends to create a detachable connection. They allow for
easy alignment and disassembly, making them suitable for systems that require frequent
maintenance or where rotation of the flange is necessary.

A lap joint flange, also known as a Van Stone or loose flange, is a type of flange used to
connect two separate piping components.

The stub end is a short piece of pipe with a slightly larger outside diameter (OD) than the
pipe it is being connected to. It has a tapered or flat end that allows it to slip over the pipe
end. The backing flange is a ring-shaped flange with bolt holes that align with the bolt holes
on the stub end.

To create a joint using a lap joint flange, the stub end is first slipped over the pipe end, and
then the backing flange is positioned behind the stub end. The two flanges are aligned, and
bolts are inserted through the bolt holes and tightened to secure the flanges together. A
 gasket is placed between the mating surfaces of the stub end and the backing flange to
provide a seal.

The key advantage of a lap joint flange is its rotational freedom. The stub end can rotate
around the pipe, allowing easy alignment of the bolt holes during installation. This flexibility
makes it useful in situations where angular adjustment or realignment of the piping
components may be required. It also simplifies the process of dismantling and replacing
equipment.

Lap joint flanges are commonly used in low-pressure, non-critical applications where the
convenience of disassembly and alignment is more important than the strength of the joint.
They are often employed in systems conveying non-toxic fluids, such as water, air, or
low-pressure gasses. However, due to their design, lap joint flanges are not suitable for
high-pressure or high-temperature applications where a stronger and more secure joint is
required

Here, I have only provided some important types of flanges normally used in the process industry.
There are stil more type of flanges and usage of the same vary as per process requirements. Each
type of flange has its advantages and is selected based on the specific requirements of the piping
system, including pressure, temperature, pipe size, and ease of installation and maintenance.

We have now gone through different types of flanges, the next major thing is Material selection, so
let's check common materials used for Flange. Most commonly selected flanges will have the same
material of construction as that used for piping but in case of Lap Joint it may change.

Most common material used in process industries are

1.Carbon steel:

2.Stainless steel such as SS304, SS310, SS316

3.Alloy steel:

4.Cast iron:.

5.Brass and bronze:

6.Various Plastic Materials:like PP, PTFE, FRP, HDPE

After Selection of Type of flange and Material of flange the next major criteria is Flange Rating and
Flange standard

Flanges are assigned ratings, such as Class (150,300,600 etc classes), PN (Pressure Number), or
pressure ratings, which indicate the maximum pressure they can withstand. It's important to select
the appropriate flange rating based on the system's operating conditions.

Flanges are designed and manufactured according to industry standards to maintain consistency
and interchangeability. Some widely used flange standards include ANSI/ASME (American National
Standards Institute/American Society of Mechanical Engineers), DIN (Deutsches Institut für
Normung), and BS (British Standards).
When selecting flanges, it's essential to ensure they comply with the relevant standards to ensure
proper fit, performance, and safety.

Flange face selection is an important factor as per the process application and pressure of the
process fluid, the following are different types of flange faces.

1.Raised face (RF): This facing has a small raised portion around the flange's perimeter, which
provides additional compression for the gasket.

2.Flat face (FF): This facing is flat and smooth, suitable for applications where the flange and gasket
need to be fully aligned.

3.Ring joint face (RTJ): This facing is specially designed for applications using metal ring gaskets,
which fit into a groove on the flange face.

•Surface finish requirements for flange facing depend on the gasket type and material. The finish
should be smooth to ensure proper gasket sealing and prevent leakage.

Normally we are following ASME standards and using ASME B 16.5 for selection of flanges, but
these criteria vary as per the standards used by each Industries. Further to above there standards
changes as per the process requirement and size of pipelines.

Thankyou.