Sealing Performance Evaluation of Pipe Flange Connection Under Elevated Temperatures Available to Purchase

Since a lot of pipe flange connections are exposed to elevated temperature during operation, it is important to evaluate the sealing performance of the connections under operational temperature. In this study, the sealing performance of pipe flange connection was experimentally evaluated by measuring the amount of gas leakage at room temperature (RT), 100 °C and 200 °C in addition to internal pressure. Non-asbestos graphite gaskets were used in the experiment. The nominal size of the pipe flange used during the experimental study was 3 inch. The eight bolts and nuts were tightened according to ASME PCC-1 and the Japanese method (HPIS). During assembly, the axial bolt force was individually measured with strain gauges attached to each bolt. The scatter in the axial bolt force during the assembling process was examined and compared between the ASME and the HPIS. In addition, the gasket contact stress distribution of each assembly process was calculated by finite element method under elevated temperature and internal pressure. In the FE study, experimentally measured physical properties such as elastic modulus and thermal expansion were used. ηhe amount of leakage was estimated from the contact gasket stress distribution obtained by FE analysis. The estimated axial bolt forces were compared with those of experimental ones.