Procedure to Guarantee Tightness of Bolted Flange Connections of Floating Type With Two Gaskets

To consider special demands, two gaskets floating between the flange faces are used for example in flanged connections of pressure vessels, valves, pumps etc. Tightness control can be one of the reasons to choose this design. The inner (primary) gasket has to tighten the internal pressure; the outer (secondary) gasket tightens possible leakage of the primary gasket. By the use of two identical gaskets in the same plane the procedure for the tightness proof is the same as in connections with one gasket. In many cases there are used two gaskets with different characteristics (deformation and tightness characteristics) in two tightening planes. The behaviour of this connection depends not only on the gasket characteristics but also on the tolerances of axial dimensions. The distribution of prestress on both gaskets is determined by the elastic-plastic deformations of both gaskets and tolerances of axial dimensions of the connection. The decrease of gasket stress in operation depends on the plastic deformations of both gaskets in operation, too. Depending on the demanded tightness class, the possible gasket stress during assembly and the gasket stress in operation determine the selection of suitable gaskets (with necessary gasket characteristics). It is necessary to take into account the internal pressure and possible pressure between primary and secondary gasket, too. In the paper the design of gaskets for this type of connection is discussed. Originally, it was used: - nickel ring as primary gasket, - asbestos packing as secondary gasket. Both gaskets have suitable deformation characteristics for the existing type of connection. The secondary gasket has low stiffness for the adjustment of an optimal stress on the primary gasket after prestressing. The primary gasket has a good relaxation behaviour. However, the nickel ring needs a very high local stress to achieve suitable tightness behaviour. This stress leads to plastic deformation of the flange surface during assembly, too, and this can induce leakage after the next assembly (with new rings) as operation experience showed. The use of asbestos packing is not allowed any more due to health reasons. This invoked a redesign of this gasket. The paper deals with gasket proofs and gasket characteristics for selection of suitable gaskets. Calculations of gasket stress distributions of both gaskets (elastic-plastic deformations) are presented. The analysis of the stress distribution allows reviewing the tightness class in operation incl. relaxation behaviour of the connection. Other recommendations are listed like the increase of connection safety by a reduction of bolt stiffness (better relaxation behaviour of the connection and higher bolt elongation), more accurately bolt elongation measurement, new assembly procedure, etc. Main target of the re-design is life time extension of connection, too.