What is a flange and its benefits?

What is a flange? and what are its benefits?

This is certainly a question that many people new to flange products wonder.

In this article, Bao Tin Steel will share with readers about what a flange is and why it is important in piping systems and industrial equipment.

What is a flange?

What is a flange?

A flange is a mechanical device for connecting pipes. It is often used to connect pipes, valves, pumps, and various equipment to form a piping system. The flange is also easy to clean, inspect, or modify; it is usually welded or bolted.

For each different language, it has a different name.

What is a flange in Chinese?

In Chinese it is called Fǎ lán (法兰).

It is an important component in piping systems and industrial equipment.

The reason it is important is for several reasons, such as:

• Connect the parts
• Helps ensure system uniformity and accuracy

How is the flange constructed?

Flanges have round or square shapes, are made from steel billets or stainless steel billets, and are used to indirectly connect pipes and accessories through bolt holes on the body to form a pipe system. industrial pipes.

A typical flange connection has a fairly simple structure, consisting of a piece of metal made of cast iron, stainless steel, copper, etc. And there are holes for bolts and screws at the edge of the flange with different sizes according to each type.

Specifically, there are three main components, as follows:

1. The inside diameter is the space in the middle of the flange.
2. Outside diameter: the distance between two opposing edges of the flange.
3. Bolt hole: the distance between opposing bolt holes when measured from center to center.

How many types of flanges are there?

On the market today, there are six popular types of flanges, including hollow flanges, steel flanges, blind flanges, ribbed flanges, flat flanges, and threaded flanges. All of these types are designed to ensure a solid connection between components such as pipes, valves, pumps, and other equipment. It helps increase the uniformity and accuracy of oil and gas systems, water treatment, exhaust gas treatment, air conditioning, and other industrial applications.

Flanges include two main parts: the flange and the bolt. For each different type of flange or each different pressure level, there will be regulations on the number of different bolt holes.

To ensure the strength and safety of the connection, flange selection and installation need to be done properly and meet the system’s technical requirements.

Why is it necessary to use flanges in pipeline design?

With many different types, sizes, and structures, flanges are important accessories in piping systems and industrial equipment. Below are the outstanding advantages of flanges, and they explain why we need to use flanges and not any other accessories.:

1. Increase uniformity and accuracy. Flanges are designed to ensure a secure connection between components. When parts are tightly connected, it helps ensure uniformity and precision throughout the system. Minimize disagreement in the size, shape, and location of parts, helping the system operate more efficiently.
2. Easy pipe installation and maintenance When it is necessary to replace or maintain parts in the system, simply remove the flanges to repair the pipe section.
3. Minimize leaks and problems in pipes. When installed properly, flanges help minimize leaks and problems in piping systems and industrial equipment. Thanks to that, the system operates more efficiently and reduces repair costs.
4. Increase flexibility during construction. With flanges, parts can be connected easily and quickly.
5. increase safety in operation. When properly installed and meeting technical requirements, flanges help reduce the risk of leaks and problems in the system, increasing safety for employees and the environment.

From here we can see that flanges are really important in production and construction.

What are flanges used for?

The practical applications of flanges are the most accurate answer to the question, “When should flange accessories be used?” For each field, each part, each different machine system, and flanges are also used in different roles. Specifically:

What is the application of flanges in the oil and gas industry?

Flanges are used in piping systems and equipment in the oil and gas industry in locations such as:

• Between pipeline sections
• Between the pipe and the valve, pump,…
• Between devices
• Between floors in wells
• Components in oil processing systems such as oil excavators, tanks, pumps, etc.

In summary, in the oil and gas industry, flanges are used in many different positions in piping systems and equipment. It is used to connect components, helping to ensure the solidity and safety of the connection and minimizing leaks and problems in the system.

What is the application of flanges in the water treatment industry?

Flanges are used in water treatment systems to connect components:

• Pipe connection. Flanges are used to connect pipes in water treatment systems.
• Flanges are also used to connect equipment in water treatment systems, such as tanks, pumps, valves, etc.
• Connect pipes and equipment such as valves, pumps, cabinets, etc. in water treatment systems.
• connecting stages in the water filtration system. Typically, dosing floors, sterilization floors, etc.
• Connecting components in the wastewater treatment system, such as tanks, treatment plants, etc.

In summary, in the water treatment industry, flanges are used in many different positions. It is used to connect parts. It helps ensure the reliability and safety of connections and minimizes leaks and problems in the system.

What is the application of flanges in the exhaust gas treatment industry?

Flanges are used in the exhaust gas treatment industry to connect components and keep the exhaust system operating efficiently and safely. Below are some applications of flanges in the exhaust gas treatment industry:

• Connect pipes and equipment such as filters, carbon reducers, tanks, etc.
• Flanges are used to connect equipment in the exhaust gas treatment system, such as air compressors, exhaust fans, etc.
• connection between layers in the exhaust gas filtration system, such as the activated carbon layer, ceramic layer, etc.
• Connect components in the exhaust gas treatment system, such as filters, tanks, air compressors, etc.

In short, flanges are used a lot in the exhaust gas treatment industry. It is used to connect components, minimizing leaks and problems in the system. And ensure safety for employees and the surrounding environment.

In the air conditioning industry

Flanges are an important component in the air conditioning industry. used to connect components and keep the system running efficiently and safely. Below are some applications of flanges in the air conditioning industry:

• Connect pipes and equipment such as compressors, filters, tanks, etc.
• Flanges are used to connect equipment in the air conditioning system, such as compressors, filters, etc.
• connection between floors in the air filtration system. Typical examples are filter reservoirs, activated carbon reservoirs, etc.
• Connect components in the air conditioning system such as compressors, tanks, filters, etc.

Food and beverage industry

Flanges are also an important component in the food and beverage industry. It is used to connect components and keep the system running efficiently and safely.

With some specific applications such as:

• Connect pipes and equipment such as tanks, presses, bottling machines, etc.
• Connect the device. Flanges are used to connect equipment such as presses, bottling machines, etc.
• Connection between parts in the production system. such as filtration, processing, transportation, and packaging.
• Connect equipment in the water treatment system, such as tanks, filters, etc.

How to choose and buy flanges

The following parameters are for customers’ reference before placing an order (or requesting an estimate) for flanges:

• Select flange type (weld neck, slip face, threaded, coupling flange)
• Flange specifications (e.g. ASME B16.5, ASME B16.47 type A, EN 1092-1, JIS, UNI, DIN, etc.)
• Nominal Pipe Size (NPS)
• Flange rating or class: the rating of a flange can range from 150 to 2500 for ASME flanges, from 5k to 30k for JIS B2220 flanges and KS1503 flanges; from PN 6 to PN 100 for European and Russian standard flanges (DIN, UNI, EN 1092-1, GOST 12820/ 12821-80); Types 600/3, 1000/3, 1600/3, 2500/3, 4000/3 for SANS/SABS flanges (South African standard for flanges)
• Pipe diagram (for weld neck and socket weld flange)
• Flange type (FF, RF, RTJ): according to ASME B16.5, the raised face is the standard face for flanges (different faces, such as RTJ or flat face FF, must be specifically ordered).
  Flange surface finishing (smooth, root, concentric serrated, etc.)
• Flange material type (steel, stainless steel, copper, cast iron..etc)
• Quantity
• Price

In short

Flanges have many applications in different industries. For example, in the oil and gas industry, water treatment, exhaust gas treatment, air conditioning, etc. It helps ensure the reliability and safety of the system. Minimize leaks and incidents, and increase system uniformity and accuracy. At the same time, it increases the flexibility of the system by allowing the connection of parts with different diameters.

Bao Tin Steel hopes that the information we have just provided will help readers know what a flange is as well as the role of flanges in many areas of life. Contact us immediately if you need support!