Sealing Performance Evaluation of Pipe Flange Connection Under Elevated Temperatures

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiyuki Sawa ◽  
Yoshio Takagi ◽  
Hiroyasu Torii
Keyword(s):  
Elevated Temperature ◽  
Stress Distribution ◽  
Internal Pressure ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Flange Connection ◽  
Gas Leakage ◽  
Sealing Performance ◽  
Nominal Size ◽  
Operational Temperature ◽  
Contact Stress Distribution

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.

Effects of Scatter in Bolt Preload on the Sealing Performance of Pipe Flange Connections Under Internal Pressure (Case Where the Nominal Diameter of Pipe Flange Connection is 20″)

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshio Takagi ◽  
Toshiyuki Sawa ◽  
Hiroyasu Torii ◽  
Yuya Omiya
Keyword(s):  
Stress Distribution ◽  
Internal Pressure ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Torque Control ◽  
Stress Distributions ◽  
Flange Connection ◽  
Nominal Diameter ◽  
Bolt Preload ◽  
Sealing Performance ◽  
Contact Stress Distribution

It has been well known that a scatter in axial bolt forces in pipe flange connections tightened by the torque control method is substantial. In practice, pipe flange connections with the large nominal diameter tightened by the torque control method have been used in chemical industry, and so on. In our study, the characteristics of the connections with smaller nominal diameter (less than 8″) have been shown. So, in an optimum design of pipe flange connections with gaskets, it is necessary to understand the characteristics of the pipe flange connections with large nominal diameter under internal pressure and the contact gasket stress distributions due to the scatter in axial bolt forces in the connections tightened by the torque control method. In this paper, the experimental and FE analyses were done to evaluate the effect of scatter in axial bolt force on the gasket stress distribution and the sealing performance of pipe flange connections with 20″ nominal diameter. Two types of torque controlled assembling procedures, that is, ASME PCC-1 and JIS B 2251 procedures, are evaluated as an assembling procedures and an effect of scatter in the axial bolt forces obtained from the above methods is examined. Then, the effect of scatter in the axial bolt forces on the sealing performance of the connection is evaluated. The contact stress distribution in the larger pipe flange connection with 20″ nominal diameter under internal pressure is analyzed using FEM by taking into account a non-linearity and a hysteresis. The measured scatter in the axial bolt forces is applied in the FEM calculations.

The Sealing Performance of a Large Diameter Bolted Joint Under Elevated Temperature

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiyuki Sawa ◽  
Naoki Kawasaki ◽  
Yoshio Takagi ◽  
Hiroyasu Torii
Keyword(s):  
Elevated Temperature ◽  
Internal Pressure ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Stress Distributions ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Flange Connection ◽  
Gas Leakage ◽  
Nominal Diameter ◽  
Sealing Performance ◽  
Diameter Pipe

Flange rotation with internal pressure affects the sealing performance of pipe flange connections more with increasing the pipe nominal diameter. Therefore, it is hard to estimate the sealing performance of pipe flange connections with larger nominal diameter by using the test results of the sealing performance for pipe flange connections with small nominal diameter. In this study, the 20" diameter pipe flange connection was experimentally used as a large nominal diameter pipe flange connection and analyzed the stress in the connection. In the experiments, the sealing performance of the pipe flange connection was evaluated by measuring the amount of gas leakage at 50 °C and 100 °C under internal pressure. Non-asbestos graphite gaskets were used in the experiments. The bolts and nuts were tightened according to the Japanese method (HPIS Z103 TR). The gasket contact stress distributions of larger nominal diameter pipe flange connection were calculated by FEM under elevated temperature conditions as well as internal pressure application. The estimated results were compared with the experimental results. The results were also compared with the small nominal diameter test result and discussed.

Sealing Performance Evaluation of Box-Shaped Flange Connections Under Thermal Conduction Conditions and Internal Pressure

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kentaro Tenma ◽  
Ryou Kurosawa ◽  
Toshiyuki Sawa
Keyword(s):  
Elevated Temperature ◽  
Internal Pressure ◽  
Thermal Conduction ◽  
Linear Thermal Expansion ◽  
Stress Distributions ◽  
Flange Connection ◽  
Gas Leakage ◽  
Thermal Expansion Coefficients ◽  
Bolt Preload ◽  
Sealing Performance

Bolted connections with gaskets such as flexible box-shaped flange connections have been used in mechanical structures. The connections are usually used under internal pressure as well as other loadings such as thermal, impact loadings and so on. In designing the bolted flexible box-shaped flange connections with gaskets, it is important to evaluate the sealing performance of the connections under internal pressure and thermal conduction conditions. In this paper, the contact gasket stress distributions and changes in bolt preload in the bolted flexible box-shaped flange connection with compressed sheet gaskets subjected to internal pressure and thermal conduction condition are analyzed using the finite element method (FEM). The leakage tests were conducted using an actual box-shaped flange connection with a compressed sheet gasket. Using the contact gasket stress distributions under internal pressure at an elevated temperature (Helium gas) obtained from the FEM calculations and an amount of the gas leakage measured in the experiment, the sealing performances are evaluated experimentally and numerically. The estimated amount of gas leakage is in a fairly good agreement with the measured results. In addition, the effect of the thermal conduction condition on the sealing performance is examined. Furthermore, the effects of the bolt pitch and the linear thermal expansion coefficients of the flanges and the gasket are examined at elevated temperature (20,80,100°C). Discussion is made on the effects of some factors on the sealing performance.

Effects of Scatter in Bolt Preload of Pipe Flange Connections With Gaskets on Sealing Performance

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiyuki Sawa ◽  
Mitsuhiro Matsumoto ◽  
Satoshi Nagata
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Method ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Internal Pressure ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Torque Control ◽  
Stress Distributions ◽  
Flange Connection ◽  
Gas Leakage ◽  
Bolt Preload ◽  
Sealing Performance

It has been well known that a scatter in axial bolt forces of pipe flange connections tightened by the torque control method is substantial. It is necessary for evaluating the sealing performance of the pipe flange connections with the gaskets subjected to intemal pressure to know the contact gasket stress distributions due to the scatter of the axial bolt forces in the connections tightened by the torque control method. This paper deals with the leakage of the pipe flange connections with a spiral wound gasket and that with a compressed sheet gasket tightened by the torque control method. The scatter in the axial bolt forces was measured in the experiments. The contact gasket stress distributions at the interfaces of the pipe flange connections with the gaskets were calculated under the measured axial bolt forces by using elasto-plastic finite element method (FEM) taking into account hysteresis and non-linearity in the stress-strain curves of the gaskets. The effects of the scatter in the axial bolt forces tightened by the torque control method on the gas leakage were also examined by using the actual pipe flange connections. As the result, a difference in an amount of gas leakage measured was found to be substantial between our study and PVRC procedure. By using the calculated contact gasket stress distributions under the internal pressure and the results of the leakage tests, the sealing performance was evaluated. It is found that the sealing performance is worse in the actual pipe flange connection than that evaluated by PVRC procedure.

Stress Analysis and Sealing Performance Evaluation of Bolted Pipe Flange Connections With Smaller and Larger Nominal Diameter Under Repeated Temperature Changes

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuya Omiya ◽  
Toshiyuki Sawa
Keyword(s):  
Internal Pressure ◽  
Thermal Condition ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Thermal Exposure ◽  
Flange Connection ◽  
Gas Leakage ◽  
Nominal Diameter ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Sealing Performance ◽  
Helium Gas

Pipe flange connections with gaskets in chemical plants, electric power plants and other industrial plants are usually exposed to elevated internal pressure with cyclic thermal condition. It is important to investigate the sealing performance of pipe connections under long term severe thermal exposure swings to ensure operational safety. In this study, the effects of cyclic thermal conditions on the sealing performance and mechanical characteristics in larger and smaller nominal diameter of pipe flange connection are examined using FEM calculations. Helium gas leakage is predicted using the contact gasket stress obtained from the FEM results. On other hand, the leakage tests using the smaller nominal diameter of pipe flange connection were conducted to measure the amount of helium gas leakage and to compare with the predicted amount of gas leakage. As the results, the contact gasket stress distributions were changed dramatically under cyclic thermal condition and elevated internal pressure. In the pipe flange connections with smaller nominal diameter, the contact gasket stress was the smallest in the restart condition. On other hand, the minimum contact gasket stress in the pipe flange connection with larger nominal diameter was depending on the materials of connection. In the pipe flange connection with larger nominal diameter, the contact gasket stress distributed and changed in the radial direction due to the flange rotation. A fairly good agreement was found between the experimental leakage result and predicted leakage results.

Effect of External Bending Moment on the Sealing Performance of Pipe Flange Connection

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshio Takagi ◽  
Hiroyasu Torii ◽  
Toshiyuki Sawa ◽  
Yuya Omiya
Keyword(s):  
Stress Distribution ◽  
Internal Pressure ◽  
Deformation Characteristic ◽  
Bending Moment ◽  
Displacement Curve ◽  
Linear Deformation ◽  
Flange Connection ◽  
Sealing Performance ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
The Difference

Since an external bending moment affects the sealing performance of pipe flange connection, it is important to investigate this effect. This paper analyzed the contact gasket stress distribution of pipe flange connections and evaluates the effect of external bending moment on the sealing performance from the viewpoint of changes in contact gasket stress. The study includes the FE analyses and the experimental leakage tests. The FE analyses suggested the large decrease of contact gasket stress at tension side and small increase at compression side. The difference in change in contact gasket stress was caused by the non-linear hysteresis characteristics of stress-displacement curve of gasket. The FE analyses also suggested that the loading order, internal pressure and external bending moment, also affected the sealing performance due to the non-linear deformation characteristic of the gasket. The sealing performance when the external bending moment applied prior to the internal pressure was degraded more than when the internal pressure was applied prior to the external bending moment. The experimental leakage tests using helium (He) gas were analyzed by the finite element method and discussed. This paper also evaluated the stress distribution in the pipe flange under external bending moment. The results suggested that the hub stress dominated the flange structure and the most important factor in designing the flange.

FEM Stress Analysis and Sealing Performance in Bolted Flange Connections With Cover of Pressure Vessel Subjected to Internal Pressure

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiyuki Sawa ◽  
Rie Higuchi
Keyword(s):  
Internal Pressure ◽  
Contact Stress ◽  
Pressure Vessel ◽  
The Finite Element Method ◽  
Flange Connection ◽  
Bolt Preload ◽  
Sealing Performance ◽  
Bolted Flange ◽  
Contact Stress Distribution ◽  
Spiral Wound

The stresses of a bolted flange connection with a cover of pressure vessel (CPV) in which a spiral wound gasket is inserted, under internal pressure are analyzed taking account a hysteresis of the gasket by using the finite element method (FEM). The leakage tests were also conducted using an actual bolted flange connection with a CPV with a spiral wound gasket. Using the contact stress distribution of the bolted flange connection with a CPV under internal pressure and the tightness parameter, the values of the new gasket constants were obtained by taking into account the changes in the contact stress. A difference in the new gasket constants between the estimated values obtained from the actual bolted flange connection with a CPV and the values obtained by the PVRC procedure was small. In addition, a method to determine the bolt preload for a given tightness parameter was demonstrated. The obtained results of the bolt preload for the bolted flange connection with a CPV were in a fairly good agreement with those obtained by the PVRC procedure under a lower pressure application. However, a difference in the bolt preload was about 7% when the internal pressure was increased.

The Sealing Performance Evaluation of Bolted Flexible Box-Shaped Flange Joints Under Thermal Conduction Conditions

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryou Kurosawa ◽  
Toshiyuki Sawa ◽  
Yuya Omiya ◽  
Kentaro Tenma
Keyword(s):  
Elevated Temperature ◽  
Internal Pressure ◽  
Thermal Conduction ◽  
Stress Distributions ◽  
Flange Joint ◽  
The Finite Element Method ◽  
Gas Leakage ◽  
Bolt Preload ◽  
Sealing Performance ◽  
Helium Gas

Bolted joints with gaskets such as flexible box-shaped flange joints have been used in mechanical structures. The joints are usually used under internal pressure as well as other loadings such as thermal, impact loadings and so on. In designing the bolted flexible box-shaped flange joint with gaskets, it is important to evaluate the sealing performance of the joints under internal pressure and thermal conduction conditions. In this paper, the contact gasket stress distributions and changes in bolt load in the bolted flexible box-shaped flange joint with joint sheet gaskets subjected to internal pressure and thermal conduction condition are analyzed using the finite element method (FEM). The leakage tests were conducted using an actual box-shaped flange connection with a joint sheet gasket. Using the contact gasket stress distributions under internal pressure at an elevated temperature (Helium gas) obtained from the FEM calculations and the amount of the gas leakage measured in the experiment, the sealing performances are evaluated experimentally and numerically. In addition, the effect of the thermal conduction condition on the sealing performance is examined. Furthermore, a method how to determine the bolt preload of the flexible box-shaped flange joint at an elevated temperature for a given tightness parameter is demonstrated. Discussion is made on the sealing performance.

FEM Stress Analysis and Mechanical Characteristics of Bolted Pipe Connections With Larger Nominal Diameter Inserting PTFE Blended Gasket Under Internal Pressure

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koji Sato ◽  
Toshiyuki Sawa ◽  
Xing Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Stress Distribution ◽  
Internal Pressure ◽  
Performance Prediction ◽  
Mechanical Characteristics ◽  
Leak Rate ◽  
Load Factor ◽  
Flange Connection ◽  
Nominal Diameter ◽  
Sealing Performance ◽  
Good Agreement

The sealing performance prediction of bolted pipe flange connections with gaskets is important factor. However, it is known that the sealing performance of the larger nominal diameter connection is worse than that with smaller nominal diameter connection due to the flange rotation. Furthermore, recently PTFE blended gaskets were developed newly and the excellent sealing performance in the bolted pipe flange connection with smaller nominal diameter is found. So, it is necessary to examine the sealing performance and the mechanical characteristics of pipe flange connections with larger nominal diameter under internal pressure. The objectives of present study are to examine the mechanical characteristics of the pipe flange connection with PTFE blended gasket under internal pressure such as the load factor, the contact gasket stress distribution and the sealing performance using FEM and experiments. Using the obtained contact gasket stress distribution and the fundamental leak rate for smaller PTFE gasket, the leak rate of the connection is predicted under internal pressure. In the FEM calculation, the effects of the nominal diameter of pip flange connections on the mechanical characteristics are shown. In the experiments, ASME class 300 24” pipe flange connections is used and the gasket is chosen as No.GF300 in PTFE blended gaskets. The FEM results of the axial bolt forces are in a fairly good agreement with the experimental results. In addition, the leak rate obtained from the FEM calculations are fairly coincided with the measured results. The mechanical characteristics of pipe flange connection with PTFE blended gasket are compared with those with spiral wound gasket.

Evaluation of the Sealing Performance in Bolted Flange Connection Under Heat Condition and Internal Pressure: The Effect of Scatter in Bolt Preloads

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiyuki Sawa ◽  
Yoshio Takagi ◽  
Katsuhiro Yamada
Keyword(s):  
Internal Pressure ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Torque Control ◽  
Stress Distributions ◽  
Heat Condition ◽  
Flange Connection ◽  
Gas Leakage ◽  
Sealing Performance ◽  
Torque Wrench ◽  
Bolted Flange

It has been well known that a scatter in axial bolt forces of pipe flange connections tightened by the torque control method is substantial. It is necessary for evaluating the sealing performance of the pipe flange connections with the gaskets subjected to internal pressure to know the contact gasket stress distributions due to the scatter of the axial bolt forces in the connections tightened by the torque control method. Especially, when gases are used in the pipe flange connections with gaskets at a high temperature, it is necessary to evaluate the amount of gas leakage. In this study, when bolts and nuts in a pipe flange connection were tightened using a torque wrench, the axial bolt forces were measured and then the amount of gas leakage in the pipe flange connection at 50,100,150 and 200 °C was measured under internal pressure. Leakage tests were performed using Helium gases. In addition, the thermal stress distributions at the interfaces between pipe flanges and the gasket under heat condition (temperature 50,100,150 and 200 °C) and internal pressure were calculated by using the finite element method (FEM) taking into account hysteresis in the stress-strain curves of a spiral wound gasket. By using the calculated contact stress distributions and the results of the leakage tests, the sealing performance was evaluated.

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